Division of Forestry and Wildlife

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

For Immediate News Release June 5, 2018

KAULUNANI URBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY PROGRAM
CALL FOR 2018 GRANT PROPOSALS

(HONOLULU) Do you know a school, community group or non-profit organization that cares about greening our environment? Funding is available to help get your project off the ground.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program announces a call for statewide grant applications with new and expanded opportunities for projects that support urban and community forestry.

Grants are awarded to projects that respond to a need identified in DLNR’s Forest Action Plan, Urban Forestry Chapter, which can be found on Kaulunani’s website, Kaulunani.org.  With urban tree canopy in decline in urban areas and benefits that trees provide for communities ever more valuable, now is an excellent time to start a project with support from Kaulunani. The Kaulunani Grant Program has awarded hundreds of grants to nonprofit organizations, schools, community groups, parks, museums and arboretums across the State of Hawai‘i for a diverse range of urban and community forestry projects.                   

The Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program’s Grant Program has undergone several important changes from past years. Kaulunani rolled out a new framework for its application process and updated grant program guidelines to make applying for funding easier. The grant program now offers several different levels of grants under which organizations and communities can apply:

• “Cool Your School” Grants: School grant requests between $500 and $3,000.
• ‘ILIMA Grants: Requests under $2,500.
• MĀMAKI Grants: Requests between $2,500 and $14,999.                        
• ‘ULU Grants: Grant Requests OVER $15,000, targeting specific special funding opportunities. ‘Ulu grants consider requests up to $300,000. The complete list of grant opportunities is available on the Kaulunani website.

Kaulunani grant recipients have made nearly every urban area in Hawai‘i greener and more enjoyable. This state and federally funded grant program has enabled the planting of countless trees, raised awareness of the importance of trees and our environment in dozens of communities and has involved hundreds of Hawai‘i residents in caring for the ‘aina.

Applications are accepted on a quarterly basis with the following new deadlines for 2018: February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1.  Applications received by August 1st will receive priority consideration for current year funds. The Kaulunani Advisory Council reviews proposals at the subsequent quarterly meeting following each deadline. Grants are made to projects that match or exceed the federal grant funds in cash and in-kind contributions. One grant request per applicant will be considered.

Upcoming informational workshops in June: We will teach you how to write a successful application and fit your project with Kaulunani grant requirements. This informational session is a great opportunity to ask questions and get feedback for your ideas. Our staff are available to actively work with you through the application process. 

Grant Information In-person Workshop:

Date: June 14, 12 noon to 1 p.m.
Place: Paki Hale, 3840 Paki Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815
Refreshments will be provided

RSVP by June 13th: [email protected] 

Grant Information Webinar:

Date: June 15, 2018 12 p.m.
Who: Perfect for neighbor island participants to take advantage of the workshop and ask questions.
How to Join: Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/6385500487
Or iPhone one-tap: US: +19294362866,,6385500487# or +16699006833,,6385500487# 
Or Telephone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):  US: +1 929 436 2866 or +1 669 900 6833  Meeting ID: 638 550 0487

 International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/d99lNYgMT

For more information on the Kaulunani Grant Program, the pre-proposal form, workshops and additional application information visit: www.kaulunani.org or contact Jolie Wanger, at [email protected], or by phone at (808) 721-7604. 

Kaulunani is a USDA Forest Service federally funded urban forestry program of the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and is managed by the non-profit organization Smart Trees Pacific.

This work is being funded entirely or in part by the Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program of the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife and State and Private Forestry branch of the U.S. Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Region 5. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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Media Contact:

Deborah Ward
Communications Specialist
(808) 587-0396