The City of Noblesville announced on Friday it received the 2023 Inflation Reduction Act Grant to plant 147 street trees.
The grant, which is $106,150 in federal funds administered through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, is part of a grant awarded to the Division of Forestry from the USDA Forest Service. The Noblesville Tree Board assisted City of Noblesville Urban Forester John Easley with the grant application.
“We are committed to urban forestry in Noblesville and are grateful for this grant that will allow us to plant new street trees in our community,” Easley said. “The opportunity to plant new trees enhances the quality of life for residents and impacts the overall environment by providing various benefits throughout the tree’s lifespan. We would like to thank the USDA Forest Service, Division of Forestry, and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry, for awarding us this grant for tree planting.”
Each year, the city plants approximately 175 new street trees within the right of way and on city properties, in addition to the trees that the Parks & Recreation Department plants along the trails and at the parks.
In addition to the grant planting, the city will plant an additional 150 street trees this spring as part of its annual operations and budget.
The areas in Noblesville that will benefit from this grant are 9th and 10th streets between Cherry Street and Christian Avenue, Conner Street between 16th and 10th streets, and Christian Avenue between the 10th Street roundabout and Setser Street. Part of the objectives of this Inflation Reduction Act grant is to improve tree canopy coverage in older areas of communities.
The trees planted will be from a list of IDNR-approved native Indiana trees that will most likely survive in the unique micro-climate along city streets. The city recognizes that the diversity of species planted is important, and the city will install a variety of tree species. The actual species of trees installed will vary depending on the availability of trees from this list; however, maple trees are prohibited from being funded through this grant.