Grants provide incentives for tree planting in South Carolina.
According to the "Familiar Trees of South Carolina" study manual, there are more than 60 important and common trees in the state, like the cabbage palmetto (Arecaceae Sabal palmetto), the state tree. Grants offer incentives for tree planting, which beautifies and enhances neighborhoods and public areas. Attractive landscapes appeal to visitors, and tourism is a major component of the state's economy. Research, education and food production are other areas where tree planting pays dividends for South Carolina. Does this Spark an idea?
Mount Pleasant Tree Bank Grant Program
To encourage landscape beautification, the Tree Bank Grant Program provides funds for residents and homeowner associations to create attractive home exteriors and neighborhoods in the town of Mount Pleasant. These funds become available when development projects cause trees to be removed for new construction. The program beautifies areas like schools, subdivision entrances, parks and other open spaces. An important consideration in awarding these grants is that the applicants care for the trees after planting. Applications must furnish proof of this by means of a watering and care outline. The grants are available in the spring and the fall. As of 2010, the Tree Bank Grant offered a match award with a minimum of $500 and a ceiling of $1,000.
Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Grants
The South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism offers a range of grants that apply statewide. The primary purpose of these grants is to derive economic benefits for South Carolina through tourism. For example, the Park and Recreation Development Fund (PARD) is for new projects and improvements to existing facilities, through tree planting and other landscaping works. This is a noncompetitive, reimbursable grant meant for local government or district applicants. As of 2011, reimbursement was on the basis of a 4 to 1 ratio -- the grand funds 80 percent of a project, in other words. The Recreational Trails Program provides cost reimbursement grants for new trail projects and improvements to existing projects. The program invites applications from local, state and federal government agencies and selected private organizations. As of 2011, the minimum project grant was $10,000.
Open Spaces Sacred Places Grant Program
Research plays a key role in the ongoing development of open spaces in South Carolina. The Open Spaces Sacred Places grant, for example, is part of a national award program. Its goal is to fund specific designs and construction of green, open spaces and to document their impact on users. The basic concept of "the healing power of nature" guides the program. Applicants include tax-exempt charitable organizations, universities, schools, hospitals, medical research organizations, religious institutions and government agencies. The program is an initiative of the TKF Foundation, with grants drawn from a $5 million funding pool available from 2012.
Home Depot Community Impact Grants
Nonprofit organizations, public schools and public service agencies are among those that receive grant assistance as an incentive to keep their properties looking good. Such groups are eligible for Home Depot Community Impact Grants, for example. This program provides funds for a wide range of projects that create a better community including tree planting, landscaping and creating parks or green spaces. As of 2011, the value of individual grants was up to $5,000 in the form of Home Depot gift cards for the purchase of project tools and materials.
Fruit Tree Planting Foundation Grants
The nonprofit Fruit Tree Planting Foundation plants orchards in public spaces to serve entire communities. These spaces include community gardens, public schools, parks and low-income neighborhoods. For public schools, the Fruit Tree 101 program provides organic fruit for school lunches as well as an ongoing eduction program about tree planting and care. Ideally, schools should accommodate between 20 and 25 trees near an irrigation source. The foundation accepts grant applications year-round.
Tags: South Carolina, tree planting, Bank Grant, Fruit Tree, Grant Program, Home Depot
