Urban Corps of San Diego Receives Grant to Plant 2000 Trees
Urban Corps of San Diego County has been awarded $1.253 million in Proposition 68 funding from CAL FIRE’s Urban and Community Forestry, Urban Forest Expansion and Improvement grant program to plant 2000 trees throughout the county. The grant program is designed to employ and train 100 young adults on tree planting activities.
According to Urban Corps Grant Manager, Lauren Welch, Proposition 68 provides funding to state agencies to award grants to projects that improve a community’s ability to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change; improve and protect coastal and rural economies, agricultural viability, wildlife corridors, or habitat; develop future recreational opportunities; or enhance drought tolerance, landscape resilience, and water retention.
The project, entitled, San Diego County Urban Forestry and Arboriculture Project, has seven partners. The cities of San Diego, Imperial Beach, Vista, Encinitas and La Mesa along with the Rancho Santa Fe Association have signed on to be receiving partners, working with Urban Corps on plant palette, location and watering. Urban Corps will be working alongside Tree San Diego, a local nonprofit whose mission is to increase tree canopy in San Diego.
“We are grateful to have been awarded this opportunity from CAL FIRE. This grant will allow for a large increase in tree canopy in the areas of San Diego that need it most, and at the same time our Corpsmembers will be given the opportunity to receive important training in an area that will enhance their opportunities for permanent employment after they graduate from our program.” Said Kyle Kennedy Urban Corps’ Chief Executive Officer. “Urban Corps has a 30- year history of working on environmental projects, including tree planting, throughout the County of San Diego, and this grant gives us the opportunity to give back in a way that will impact our community for years to come.”
Urban Corps of San Diego County is a certified local conservation corps and charter school whose mission is to provide young adults with a high school education combined with job training and community service in the fields of conservation and recycling, which assist youth in becoming more employable while protecting San Diego’s natural resources and instilling the importance of community service.
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