Anne Arundel County Government and the Chesapeake Bay Trust announce a partnership to provide funds for forestry projects and land protection in Anne Arundel County. The goal of this program is to implement cost-effective reforestation and greening projects and increase the number of acres of protected forested land in the County. By increasing tree cover and expanding green areas, erosion can be reduced; water and soil quality can be improved; airborne pollutants such as particulates, nitrogen oxide, and carbon monoxide can be filtered; and summer temperatures and resulting ozone pollution and energy use can be reduced. By protecting forested land, valuable ecological services such as habitat, water quality, and flood control can be ensured for the future.

What this funds: Projects that seek the reforestation/afforestation of lands already protected under permanent protection; the permanent protection of lands that are already forested; or reforestation/afforestation and permanent protection of lands that are currently uneased and unforested. This year, funding priorities will be focused on tree planting projects in targeted priority watersheds. Please see below for more information.

Who can apply: Land Trusts, land conservancies, faith-based organizations, community associations; service and civic groups, public agencies, public and independent higher educational institutions, and other 501(c)3 private nonprofit organizations (e.g., focused on a conservation).

How much can be awarded: Up to $250,000 is currently available for this round of the program. Reimbursement cannot be made for already completed projects.

Is match required? Match is encouraged, but not required.

Priority Watershed Areas for Reforestation/Afforestation Projects
While all tree planting projects will be considered, priority will be given to reforestation projects within the targeted watershed areas and corresponding acreage below. For more information on these priority watershed areas or to discuss a project idea, please visit the grant program landing page here, or contact Jeffrey Popp, Senior Program Officer at 410-974-2941, ext. 103.