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Pre-authorization to Apply for 2026 NC Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Grant
PURPOSE: This agenda item seeks approval from Town Council to apply for the 2026 Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Grant. This grant is administered by the NC Forest Service.
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Department
DEPARTMENT: Climate Action and Finance
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Council Direction
COUNCIL DIRECTION:
_X__ Race/Equity __X__ Climate __X__ Comprehensive Plan ____Other
Council Direction Statement
The Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Grant aligns with several of Town Council’s strategic objectives. This program would support implementation of the Comprehensive Plan as well as the Community Action Climate Plan. The Carrboro Connects Comprehensive Plan <https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12199/Carrboro-Connects-Plan-ADOPTED-2022-06-09-compressed?bidId=> was developed with the foundational themes of race and equity and climate action. Chapter 6: Green Stormwater Infrastructure, Water, and Energy, recommends Developing and Implementing a downtown street tree master plan and Seeking grant support from the State and other sources to provide local financial and technical support.
This grant will also support the implementation of the Carrboro Community Climate Action Plan (<https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8961/Community-Climate-Action-Plan---Updated-Oct-2020>). The Climate Action Plan recommends the Town develops a “community scale urban forestry plan” and “improve and expand the Town’s tree canopy.”
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Information
INFORMATION: This grant will fund a street tree inventory and development of Carrboro’s first Comprehensive Urban Forestry Management Plan. The street tree inventory will provide a database of species, location, size, and condition of each tree along Carrboro maintained streets and identify available planting spaces. It is essential for risk management and safety as it identifies hazardous trees and those needing pruning to protect people and property. It will allow supervisors to efficiently schedule and track tree care. The data from the inventory, as well as insights gained through community engagement, will then be used to develop a Comprehensive Urban Forestry Management Plan. This plan will set long-term, actionable goals for tree planting, maintenance and removal. It will provide data to develop adequate budget requests for Town-wide tree care and staff capacity, improve the health and resilience of the urban canopy against pests and climate change, and promote public education and encourage community support for tree planting, particularly in the Town’s urban heat islands. Completing the inventory and management plan will ensure our urban forest thrives as a critical, well-maintained asset. It will build resilience in our community by providing much needed shade to urban heat islands and address environmental justice issues related to inequities in the tree canopy.
This project will also quantify the economic, environmental and social value of the urban forest, such as air quality improvements, stormwater retention, increases in biodiversity, to our community.
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Fiscal and Staff Impact
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with this item. If the Town is awarded the grant, a match of $13,650 is required to receive up to $47,092 in external grant funding. Town funding sufficient to cover the match requirement is already included in the FY2026 budget.
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Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that council approve staff to apply for the 2026 Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Grant.
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