Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Urban Forestry Municipal Partnership topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Infrastructure Committee approves partnership to pursue Maine Audubon community horticulture program
Summary
The committee authorized the city manager to pursue a partnership with Maine Audubon after the nonprofit won a $200,000 Project Canopy grant; the agreement would allow the city to accept up to $50,000 in donated services and supplies toward a community nursery and student training program.
The Infrastructure Committee approved a staff recommendation to allow the city manager to enter a partnership with Maine Audubon after the nonprofit was awarded a Project Canopy grant under the Inflation Reduction Act.
Public Works Director Aaron Huthery said the grant award — administered by the Maine Forest Service through Project Canopy — totals $200,000 and funds a community conservation horticulture program that would operate demonstration nurseries and student training at up to four locations, including Portland, Auburn, Bangor and Washington Academy. "Their goal was to establish a community conservation horticulture program that supported municipalities around the state," Huthery said.
Huthery told the committee the city’s participation would include development of a professionally prepared site plan, deer‑resistant fencing, irrigation infrastructure, soil amendments, seedlings and labor from local students. "We've already spoken with Bangor High School, United Technology Center, and some initial conversation with Wabanaki regarding their youth group," he said. An Audubon staff member would oversee student work so additional municipal staff would not need to do day‑to‑day supervision, Huthery added.
Staff recommended the committee authorize the city manager to accept a donation of services and supplies of up to $50,000 from the program and to continue developing the partnership. Committee members questioned and supported student involvement; one member said, "I think it's great you're including students." The chair moved and the motion passed on voice vote; no roll‑call tally was recorded in the transcript.
The agreement described in committee discussion is not a direct cash award to the city. Huthery said the grant funds will be paid out by Maine Audubon as the work proceeds and that the city would accept donated services and materials up to the $50,000 limit. The city had not yet prepared the full site plan and staff said some nursery stock already exists on the property being considered.
The committee approved the recommendation to proceed with the partnership. Staff said the program would expand local seed stock for native street trees and create hands‑on pathways for students into horticulture and municipal careers.
