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MDC awards five TRIM grants for community forest improvements in Central Missouri
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) recently awarded five grants totaling $44,910 to mid-Missouri communities through its Tree Resource Improvement and Maintenance (TRIM) grant program. TRIM grants offer cost-share funding for government agencies, public schools and nonprofit groups to manage, improve or conserve trees on public lands.
“Trees make life better for our cities and towns every day,” said MDC Community Forestry Program Supervisor Russell Hinnah. “TRIM grants help communities with tree inventory, pruning, planting, and programs that help keep our neighborhood trees healthy and thriving.”
Trees work in Missouri communities by providing an amazing number of benefits -- from cleaning the air and water to reducing stress and helping children concentrate. As with other natural resources, it takes active involvement to keep community trees thriving.
“Tree inventories are an important way for communities to manage and plan for the future,” said Hinnah. “You have to know not only where the trees are, but how to care for them. An inventory allows a community to thoughtfully plan work rather than responding to the latest disaster.”
A tree inventory is particularly important to prepare for invasive pests such as emerald ash borers (EAB). Several communities are conducting inventories this year that will help with management of EAB.
The five TRIM grant recipients in central Missouri are:
- City of Mexico: $8,000 for Tree Management, Education, Safety Training
- The Curators of the University of Missouri: $10,000 for Planting, Removal
- City of Laurie: $10,000 for Planting, Removal
- City of Hermann: $10,000 for Education, Planting
- Columbia Parks and Recreation Department: $6,910 for Education
For more information on TRIM grants, visit MDC’s website at mdc.mo.gov/trim.