Green Horizons

Communities large and small have enlisted the help of the Tree Resource Improvement and Maintenance (TRIM) program to ensure the health of trees in Missouri neighborhoods.

TRIM is a cost-share tree care program administered by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) in cooperation with the Missouri Community Forest Council (MCFC). The program provides reimbursement of $1,000 to $10,000 to assist government agencies, public schools and non-profit groups with the management, improvement or conservation of trees on public lands. Projects eligible for TRIM funding include tree inventory, removal or pruning of hazardous trees, tree planting, and training of volunteers and city/county employees to care for community forests. Funded projects are selected on a competitive basis. A panel of judges assesses each proposal for its value to the community; thoroughness as a tree management program; and ability to promote, improve and develop a community’s urban forest and economic feasibility.

Grant recipients can receive up to 60 percent of financial assistance needed for their projects. Projects located in communities within The National Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA designations are eligible for an additional 15 percent in matching funds.

"We were very pleased with the diverse slate of applications we received this past June," said Justine Gartner, manager of the TRIM program for the MDC Forestry Division. "Forty projects were selected to receive a total of $326,743 in grant funding this fiscal year. When combined with local matching funds of $148,803, nearly $500,000 was garnered to support tree management programs in Missouri’s communities."

Of the 40 projects selected to receive TRIM funding, 13 were communities with a population of less than 3,000. "Almost all of these small communities were located in traditionally rural parts of the state, demonstrating that small communities can be successful in writing TRIM grants," said Gartner. "Communities including Neelyville (pop. 381), Union Star (pop. 432), Rocheport (pop. 255), and Houston (pop. 2118) did a superb job articulating their project and received funding."

TRIM grants were also awarded to government agencies such as the Parks and Recreation Departments in Columbia, Gladstone and Wentzville; schools including St. Louis Community College- Meramec; and groups including the Putnam County Care Center. The Missouri Community Forestry Council (MCFC) is committed to urban and community forestry issues in Missouri. The council meets regularly to advise the state of Missouri on the best ways to preserve, protect, expand and improve our urban and community forests. For more information, visit www.mocommunitytrees.com/pages/1/.

TRIM Grant Basics:

• TRIM is a cost-share tree care program administered by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) in cooperation with the Missouri Community Forest Council (MCFC).
• The program provides reimbursement of $1,000 to $10,000 to assist government agencies, public schools and non-profit groups with the management, improvement or conservation of trees on public lands.
• Applications for funding are available in mid-March and due June 1. To receive an application, contact Justine Gartner, MDC Forestry Field Programs Supervisor, by email at Justine. Gartner@mdc.mo.gov; or call (573) 522-4115, ext 3116.