Maine’s Project Canopy is accepting applications for $50,000 in grants to municipal governments, educational institutions and nonprofit groups that promote community forestry programs. Project proposals should address sustainable community forestry management, increase awareness of the benefits of trees and forests, and increase the health and livability of communities through tree planting and maintenance.

Project Canopy will award grants in two categories: Planning and Education grants and Tree Planting and Maintenance. The grants are competitive and require a 50 percent match from the grant recipient in the form of cash or in-kind services.

To be eligible to apply for 2005 Project Canopy Assistance grants, all applicants must attend a grant workshop before submitting an application. Grant workshops are scheduled for the second week of February, will be held in various locations throughout the state, and will cover topics including grant writing, project development, sustainable community forestry management, and grant administration.

For information or to sign up for a grant workshop, contact Project Canopy at 1-800-367-0223 or visit www.projectcanopy.org.