Delaware Forest Service Highlights Urban Forestry Grant Opportunities Through Lombardy Elementary Tree Planting

WILMINGTON – The Delaware Forest Service (DFS) Urban and Community Forestry Program returned to Lombardy Elementary School in Wilmington on Thursday, Nov. 5, to assist with the planting of eight new trees on school grounds. The planting builds on the program’s efforts last fall when 12 trees were planted, bringing the school’s total to 20 new trees over two years.

The project was made possible through funding awarded to the school under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program, which supports efforts to expand tree canopy, improve environmental conditions, and increase access to trees in Delaware communities.

The Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry team worked alongside school representatives to plant the trees, providing technical assistance and guidance on proper planting techniques to support their long-term health and establishment. The continued partnership demonstrates how grant funding and technical support can help schools expand and maintain healthy tree canopy.

In addition to the tree planting, Delaware Forest Service Education Specialist Ashley Melvin provided an educational activity for students, offering an opportunity to learn more about trees and their importance to the environment. The activity helped connect the school’s tree planting project with hands-on environmental education.

“Planting trees at schools is about much more than adding greenery to a landscape,” said Taryn Davidson, Delaware Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program Manager. “We’re creating healthier outdoor spaces for students while giving them an opportunity to learn firsthand about the importance of trees. By returning to Lombardy Elementary for a second year, we’re continuing to build on an investment that will benefit students, staff, and the surrounding community for generations.”

Investing in Delaware Communities Through IRA Funding

The Inflation Reduction Act provides federal funding through the USDA Forest Service to support urban and community forestry initiatives nationwide. In Delaware this funding allows the Delaware Forest Service to expand efforts to establish and maintain healthy tree canopy, particularly in communities where additional tree cover can provide significant environmental and public health benefits.

Through the program, eligible communities and organizations can receive financial assistance for projects supporting tree planting, tree maintenance, hazardous tree removal, urban forest management, and community education. These investments help communities address challenges such as extreme heat, stormwater runoff and limited green space.

For schools like Lombardy Elementary, the benefits extend beyond the landscape. Trees provide shade, improve air quality, absorb stormwater, and create opportunities for outdoor learning while helping students better understand the importance of natural resources.

“Projects like this demonstrate how partnerships and strategic investments can make a lasting difference in our communities,” said Kyle Hoyd, Delaware State Forester. “By helping schools establish and maintain healthy trees, we’re investing in both our natural resources and the next generation of environmental stewards. These 20 trees are a meaningful example of how federal funding can support local projects with long-term benefits.”

The Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program provides technical assistance, educational resources, and financial support to municipalities, schools, nonprofit organizations, and community partners working to establish, protect, and enhance Delaware’s urban forests.

For more information about the Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program, including available funding opportunities, eligibility requirements, and how to apply, visit https://de.gov/treegrants.

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