Tree Grant Project Completed
Posted: 5/13/2011 in Announcements
The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind recently wrapped up a six-month project made possible by a $10,000 Federal Grant called the ARRA Forest Health Improvement Initiative. FSDB received the grant as part of President Obama’s Economic Stimulus Act.
FSDB planted 43 saplings, including red cedar, live oak, bald cypress, and Dahoon holly. The school’s grounds crew selected the trees based on ecology and biodiversity principles. Working crews rerouted the irrigation system to create an individualized system of irrigation ensuring the health and longevity of the new trees.
After a competitive bidding process for both the trees and the labor, the school selected a local St. Augustine business, Green Wave Nursery. FSDB added a second phase to the Forest Health Improvement Initiative through an amendment to the grant. The amendment allowed the school to direct monies toward root amelioration on five live oak trees on campus. The trees, whose roots are in decline due to injury, are estimated to be over 150 years old.
“We would not have had the funds to complete a project such as this had it not been for this grant,” said Danny Hutto, FSDB President. “We are so thankful to have the opportunity to plant new trees and to preserve the beautiful nature we have on our campus.” Photos of the work appear in FSDB’s photo gallery.
The funding for this project was provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is working to implement provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to put Americans back to work and rejuvenate the nation’s economy. The Recovery Act provided the USDA with nearly $28 billion in funding. Of that, $1.15 billion has been allocated to the Forest Service for project work in forest restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, construction and maintenance of facilities, trails and roads, green energy projects, and grants to states, tribes, and private landowners.