The City of Conway has been awarded a $250,000 Urban and Community Forestry grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop an urban forestry plan for disadvantaged census tracts.

The USDA grant, part of a nationwide initiative to advance urban forestry and community resilience in disadvantaged census tracts, will enable Conway to implement a range of projects aimed at improving tree canopy coverage, reducing urban heat islands, increasing public awareness of the benefits of urban trees, and mitigating stormwater flooding issues.

The grant will require no matching funds from the city and will be administered by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry.

Funding will be used to:

• Engage the public
• Compile tree inventories
• Collect, assess, and analyze tree data
• Utilize public-facing tree maps
• Develop urban forestry plan

“We are thrilled to receive this grant from the USDA,” said Mayor Bart Castleberry. “Trees are an invaluable resource that benefit our neighborhoods, economy, and quality of life.”

The City of Conway’s urban forestry efforts, championed by the Conway Tree Board, align with the USDA’s mission to improve urban environments and provide equitable access to green spaces for all communities.

About the USDA Urban and Community Forestry Program

The Urban and Community Forestry Program (UCF) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service is the only Federal program dedicated to growing and maintaining urban trees, forests, and green spaces. Authorized under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978, Urban Forestry assists States and partner organizations in applying nature-based solutions to chronic and emergent economic, social, and environmental challenges. Learn more: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/urban-forests/ucf.