What is it?
The Mid-Atlantic Environmental Justice Fund is a grant program that leverages forestry to address environmental justice (EJ) issues in the Mid-Atlantic. Our goal is to disperse and democratize the range of co-benefits that healthy community forests have for decades into the future. A just community forestry and tree stewardship effort that integrates environmental, climate, and energy justice is a powerful tool to improve the health of the Mid-Atlantic region. Increasing tree canopy improves local air and water quality, cools neighborhoods, fosters public health, stimulates local green jobs, encourages community cohesion, mitigates flooding and its adverse effects, and strengthens the region and its inhabitants.
The Chesapeake Bay Trust co-leads the Mid-Atlantic Environmental Justice Fund with Appalachian Voices, Centro de Apoyo Familiar, Center for Community Engagement, Environmental Justice, and Health (CEEJH Inc), Empower DC, Howard University, Overbrook Environmental Education Center, Sentinels of the Eastern Shore Health, and South Baltimore Community Land Trust. Emphasizing a participatory and inclusive decision-making process, the Fund empowers different representatives of communities affected by environmental injustice to participate in the development of the Request for Proposal (RFP), scoring applications, selecting funded projects, and providing limited technical assistance to a select group of applicants.
What does this fund and how much funding is available?
Track I: EJ Organization Capacity Building
To increase the ability of community-based organizations to advance urban forestry planning, planting, and maintenance efforts through training and technical assistance ($100,000 request maximum).
Track II: Tree Canopy for Resiliency and Public Health
Tree planting and tree canopy improvements to address local public health, climate change, ecologic, and environmental issues like air pollution and stormwater management (No request maximum).
Track III: Workforce Development in Community Forestry
Development of projects that engage residents in job training programs focused on developing forestry-related skills ($200,000 request maximum).
*Applicants can apply for one or more of these tracks in a single application.
Who can apply?
Community-based organizations that are tax-exempt or fiscally sponsored throughout the Mid-Atlantic region (DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV), particularly those who have historically faced barriers in securing funding to address EJ issues. Project must be located in areas that are in areas identified as disadvantaged by EPA’s IRA Disadvantaged Communities Map, federally approved opportunity zones, or PennEnviroScreen mapping tool.
*See eligibility criteria section of Requests for Proposals for more details.
Funding Acknowledgement:
Funding is provided by the USDA Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry Program, as part of the Inflation Reduction Act investment, as well as by other local private and community foundations. Each of these partners are equal opportunity providers.
Program Status: OPEN
Deadline is:
Friday, March 14th, 2025
@ 4PM EDT
Click Here to View the Request for Proposals (RFP)Click Here to View the Narrative Questions
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Questions & Technical Support
Samara Pyfrom
Program Officer
spyfrom@cbtrust.org
(410) 974-2941 x 147
Required Documents:
Please refer to page 9 of the RFP to see a complete list of requirements. Be sure all requirements are included as part of your application. This tab includes links to some documents that must be downloaded, filled out, and submitted as part of your application through our online portal.
Documents Required for All Tracks:
- Complete and upload the Narrative Questions Document.
- Financial Management Spreadsheet with detailed budget.
Documents Required for Track II: Tree Canopy for Resiliency and Public Health
- Download a sample site plan here. This is a suggestion for the layout of your site plan.
- Property owner agreements signed or a detailed plan to procure them. This is a suggested property owner permission form, please make sure you tailor it to your project needs.
The Fund acknowledges that application processes can be complicated and time-consuming and that this has been historically a reason for local, small grass-roots organizations not being funded equitably. To increase participation from these groups, the Fund works as a network of local Hub Partners.
If you are interested in this funding opportunity and/or are seeking technical assistance during the application process, we highly encourage you to contact your local Environmental Justice Hub Partner using the information you can find in the map below. More information about technical assistance can be found on Pages 7 and 8 of the Request for Proposals.
Chesapeake Bay Trust Grant Application Development:
The following resources are designed to help the applicant craft their application for the Bay Trust’s online portal. There are videos and documents that will assist in navigating our online system, creating and submitting your financial management spreadsheet (FMS), and recommendations for managing federal awards.
How to Apply for a Chesapeake Bay Trust Grant and Other Award Opportunities: Watch this video to learn about the Chesapeake Bay Trust, our programs and opportunities, and the application process for applying for a grant or other award opportunity.
Chesapeake Bay Trust Financial Management Spreadsheet (FMS) Tutorial: Applicants are required to submit a budget using the Trust’s Financial Management Spreadsheet (FMS) as part of their application package. Applicants should complete the Application Budget worksheet of the FMS and submit the entire spreadsheet file with the online application. If you are awarded funding, the same FMS submitted with your application will be used throughout the entirety of the award.
Obtaining Cost-Effective and Realistic Budget Values for your Application
Trees:
The following resources provide comprehensive guidance on tree planting, care, and management, with a focus on sustainability, reforestation, and community involvement. They address topics ranging from selecting the right trees for specific environments to integrating environmental justice into community forestry efforts, offering practical tools for both ecological restoration and enhancing resilience.
The Urban Forestry & Environmental Justice Playbook: Empowering Communities & Reducing Disaster Risk
This resource from Unlearn Power aims to integrate environmental justice into urban and community forestry efforts, using research and community involvement to improve tree canopies, sustainability, and disaster resilience. While based in Syracuse, NY, its strategies are applicable to urban redevelopment projects nationwide, promoting environmental justice through urban forestry.
Right Tree Right Place: Tree Planning, Selection, & Location | Arbor Day Foundation
The Forestry Reclamation Approach: guide to successful reforestation of mined lands:
Tree Care and Maintenance: Tree Care & Maintenance | Arbor Day Foundation
US Forest Service: Tree Owner’s Manual
Resources by Region:
The following resources are broken down by region and offer comprehensive information on invasive species for each one, including lists of invasive plants and species of concern, as these cannot be planted. There are also some cover tree canopy assessments, which evaluate the extent of urban tree coverage, and green infrastructure plans, focusing on nature-based solutions to enhance environmental sustainability.
Delaware:
Delaware Invasive Species Council: Invasive Plants List
District of Columbia:
Native and Invasive Pollinator Plants
Maryland:
Invasive Species of Concern in Maryland
Maryland Invasive Plant Species
Mid-Atlantic:
State Invasive Species Lists: USDA
Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas
Pennsylvania:
Invasive Species of Concern for Pennsylvania
Virginia:
Virginia Invasive Plant Species List
West Virginia:
These sessions will provide an overview of the Mid-Atlantic Environmental Justice Fund program, the application process, required documentation, what to expect after your application and resources available to applicants.
Sign up for one of the sessions using the following links:
Jan 27, 2025 @ 11:00 am
Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/WncA-rj7Qii01A5G6k06Wg
Feb 20, 2025 @ 6:00 pm
Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tpDSdqFMRO6yFTGqx27TAQ
Program Partners
