Sherman conservation commission will complete DEEP tree-inventory survey but declines low-canopy grant

The Town of Sherman Conservation Commission agreed June 10 to participate in a survey from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) that could inform a statewide tree-inventory software procurement, while declining to pursue a DEEP grant targeted at low-canopy communities.

Chairman William (Bill) McCann relayed correspondence from First Selectman Don Lowe forwarding an email from Danica Doroski, DEEP urban forester, that outlined two possible offers for towns. Doroski described an urban community forest resilience grant intended to support long-term forest health in low-canopy communities, and a survey DEEP is using to gather input for a possible statewide tree-inventory software program. The commission concluded Sherman does not appear to meet the “low canopy” criterion and therefore is unlikely to be eligible for the grant. The commission voted to participate in the DEEP survey, and Commissioner Jill Humphreys will complete it on the commission’s behalf.

Why it matters: the survey may shape procurement of tools for tree inventories that towns and agencies use to track street and public-park canopies, plan plantings, and target resilience funding. Commission members noted that Sherman’s forest composition and canopy conditions differ from the low-canopy communities targeted by the grant, which was the basis for their decision not to pursue the funding.

The commission recorded the correspondence under routine business and moved on to forest evaluations and program updates. No further action on the grant was taken at the meeting.

Provenance: This report is based on meeting minutes documenting the commission’s discussion and decision (correspondence entry).