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Owensboro wins $84,303 urban forestry grant to plant trees in 10 neighborhoods
Summary
Parks Director Amanda Rogers told the commission the city received an $84,303 Urban and Community Forestry grant (funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and USDA Forest Service) to inventory and manage trees at 10 low‑income target sites, plant 150 trees and develop maintenance policy over two years.
Owensboro’s parks department has secured an $84,303 Urban and Community Forestry grant to expand tree canopy, target lower‑income neighborhoods and create a municipal tree management plan, Parks Director Amanda Rogers told the City Commission on July 15.
“We did receive that grant, so I’m here to tell you a little more about what the plan is,” Rogers said, explaining the funding comes through the Inflation Reduction Act and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and will be administered in partnership with the Kentucky Division of Forestry.
The two‑year grant will fund an inventory and assessment conducted by a certified ISA arborist, mitigation of hazardous trees through pruning and selective removal, and new plantings at 10 federally identified low‑income locations, Rogers said. Staff plan to plant 150 trees over the grant period and use GIS‑linked inventory software to track species and health.
Adam Wright, grounds manager, said the arborist will also help craft city guidelines for long‑term care. “With the data compiled, we can mitigate any potential risk and prioritize any tree that poses potential threat to personal safety, property, and buildings,” Wright said.
Commissioners asked whether downtown 2nd Street trees were included; Rogers said the grant’s funds are limited to the 10 targeted sites, but the arborist’s recommendations will inform maintenance policies for city‑maintained trees more broadly.
The city will solicit community engagement around planting events; Rogers said staff expect at least one activity this fall, two in the following spring and another in fall 2026. The parks department plans to post schedules and event information and to coordinate volunteer planting and education efforts.
Next steps include selecting an ISA‑certified arborist through requests for quotes and finalizing the planting and maintenance schedule. The commission took no vote on the grant presentation; staff will return with implementation details and outreach plans.
