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A unique grant will provide a boost to Grenada's urban forestry.
Trees can provide many benefits to community as well as the environment.
To increase advocacy, public awareness, and support for urban forestry, Mississippi Forestry Commission in partnership with Mississippi Department of Transportation have created a grant to help communities have a greener appearance. The City of Grenada was recently awarded a grant that will provide the planting of trees throughout the area.
Air quality
"It's a worthwhile project," said Interim City Manger Charles 'Jo Jo' Weathers. "It's a project that city has been using for a number of years."
The planting of trees has many benefits such as moderating climate, improving air quality, conserving water and harboring wildlife according to the Mississippi Forestry Commission. The city has been awarded with a total amount of $7,875. These funds will pay for 110 trees and mulch to be placed in the city.
The variety of trees provided by this grant will include Oak, Leyland Cypress, Crape Myrtles, and Maple just to name a few. Since the grant provided the funds; the City of Grenada will be responsible for labor instead of actual funds, which is a small price to pay for the large benefit, said Grenada City Development Director Wanda Garner.
"It's a wonderful tool to be able to beautify the city," said Garner.
Line Street
Garner says the trees will be planted starting at Line Street going past South Street, making the area more appealing. Trees will also be placed in front of Memphis Hardwood to provide visual screening and sound control.
Improvements such as this aren't the only contributions that the grant has given the City of Grenada, according to Weathers.
"This grant has been used to benefit such areas as the I-55 north on ramp and the I-55 south on ramp," said Weathers. "Trees have been planted on Jackson Avenue to the football stadium and from Monroe Street to Jones Road."
It is through these efforts that the City of Grenada has earned the title of one of the many cities representing Tree City USA program, Weathers said.
The National Arbor Day Foundation, in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters, sponsors this program. The program gives communities the ability to promote the health growth of an urban and community forestry programs in cities and towns nationwide. Grenada has a Tree Board that works to keep the city's good standing within the program.
"Grants and projects like this are done through our Tree Board," said Weathers. "They have worked hard and very diligently to see that the city is able to continue to get such grants."
Curb appeal
Once the new trees are in place; they will provide more than aesthetics and economic benefits, according to Garner. She says the trees will give the city needed curb appeal, which will cause visitors to spend more time as well as money in the area.
"When you go into a city what you see is really important," said Garner. "When you pull into a beautiful city it makes you want to stop and stay for awhile."
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©The Daily Sentinel Star 2007 |
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