MDC awards TRIM-grant funding for community forest improvements

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) recently awarded $438,615 to Missouri communities through its Tree Resource Improvement and Maintenance (TRIM) grant program. TRIM grants offer cost-share funding for government agencies, schools and nonprofit groups to manage, improve or conserve trees on public lands.

“Trees make life better for our cities and towns every day,” said MDC Community Forestry Program Supervisor Russell Hinnah. “TRIM grants help communities with tree inventory, pruning, planting, and programs that help keep our neighborhood trees healthy and thriving.”

Trees in in Missouri cities and towns provide an amazing number of benefits. They reduce air and water pollution, impact heating and cooling costs, and increase real estate values. They can improve physical and mental health and are even associated with reduced crime rates. Trees and green spaces help get people outside, fostering active living and neighborhood pride.

“Tree inventories are an important way for communities to manage and plan for the future. Knowing how many trees there are, what species, and their conditions means you can better plan how to care for them. An inventory allows a community to thoughtfully plan work rather than responding to the latest disaster,” said Hinnah.

MDC has awarded 38 grants this year. TRIM grant recipients for 2019 include:

• City of Maplewood, $10,000, Inventory;
• City of St. James, $9,375, Inventory;
• Heartland Conservation Alliance, $24,925, Inventory, Education;
• City of St. Ann, $8,940, Inventory;
• University of Missouri, $9,161, Removal, Education, Planting;
• Centralia Parks and Recreation, $10,000, Removal, Planting;
• City of Sedalia, $9,870, Pruning, Education, Planting;
• City of Vinita Park, $10,000, Removal, Pruning, Planting;
• Watershed Committee of the Ozarks, $3,631, Education;
• Missouri State University, $17,550, Removal;
• Truman State University, $10,000, Removal, Pruning, Education, Planting;
• City of Columbia, $10,000, Inventory, Education;
• Jefferson City Parks and Recreation, $24,323, Inventory, Removal, Education;
• Kansas City, $25,000, Inventory;
• Missouri Community Forestry Council St. Louis/East Central Region, $10,000, Education;
• City of Wellston, $9,856, Removal, Pruning;
• Tower Grove Park, $10,000, Education, Pruning;
• City of Richmond Heights, $9,006, Inventory;
• St. Louis Community College – Meramec, $10,000, Removal, Planting;
• City of Pagedale, $10,000, Removal, Pruning, Education, Planting;
• City of Joplin, $3,428, Education;
• City of St. John, $10,000, Removal;
• Viva Cuba, $10,000, Removal, Education, Planting;
• City of Kirksville, $8,122, Planting;
• City of Liberty, $8,063, Inventory, Education;
• City of Manchester, $25,000, Planting;
• Northwest Missouri State University, $10,000, Removal, Pruning, Planting;
• City of Northwoods, $10,000, Removal, Pruning;
• City of Parkville, $10,000, Removal, Pruning;
• City of Greendale, $8,076, Removal, Pruning, Education, Planting;
• University of Missouri – St. Louis, $10,000, Removal, Pruning;
• Clay County, $10,000, Education, Planting;
• City of St. Charles Parks and Recreation, $10,000, Removal, Pruning;
• City of Belnor, $10,000, Removal, Pruning, Education;
• City of Velda Village Hills, $10,000, Planting;
• City of Pasadena Hills, $10,000, Removal, Pruning, Education, Planting;
• City of Webster Groves, $9,539, Removal, Planting; and
• Springfield—Green County Parks, $24,750, Inventory, Education.

For more information, visit MDC’s website at mdc.mo.gov and search “TRIM Grant” or directly at mdc.mo.gov/property/community-conservation/community-conservation-funding-opportunities/tree-resource.