AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Maine Forest Service (MFS) Project Canopy community forestry program will award up to $175,000 in grants to local governments, municipalities, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations in support of efforts to develop and maintain long-term community forestry programs.

Project Canopy encourages communities to develop project proposals that support sustainable community forestry management, increase awareness of the benefits of trees and forests, and increase the health and livability of communities through sound tree planting and maintenance.

Funded by the USDA Forest Service, Project Canopy grants are available in two categories: planning and education grants and tree planting and maintenance grants. Planning and education grants have a maximum award of $10,000, while planting and maintenance grants top out at $8,000.

To apply for a 2022 assistance grant, all applicants must attend a web-based grant workshop before applying (previous workshop attendees are excluded from this requirement). The grant workshop will be held on February 2, 2022, at 1 p.m. Topics will include grant writing, project development, sustainable community forestry management, and grant administration.

Grant applications will be due to the Maine Forest Service at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 11, 2022. All grants require a 50% match from the grant recipient in cash or in-kind services.

To learn more about the Project Canopy Assistance program and sign up for a grant workshop, visit the Project Canopy Assistance Grants web page, or contact Project Canopy Director Jan Ames Santerre at (207) 287-4987.