Title
Dept/ Agency: Administration/Office of Business Administrator
Action: ( X ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Application/Acceptance for Grant Funds
Purpose: To apply and accept the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard Grant to benchmark and certify Newark’s Urban Forest Management Practices.
Entity Name: Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc. (SFI)
Entity Address: 2121 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, D.C. 20037
Grant Amount: $75,000.00
Total Project Cost: $75,000.00
City Contribution: $0
Other Funding Source/Amount: /$
Grant Period: October 6, 2025 to September 30, 2029
Contract Basis: ( ) Bid ( ) State Vendor ( ) Prof. Ser. ( ) EUS
( ) Fair & Open ( ) No Reportable Contributions ( ) RFP ( ) RFQ
( ) Private Sale ( X ) Grant ( ) Sub-recipient ( ) n/a
List of Property: (if applicable)
(Address/Block/Lot/Ward)
Additional Information:
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard Grant supports local governments in assessing, benchmarking, and improving their urban forest management systems to meet national sustainability standards, enhance climate resilience, and expand equitable tree canopy coverage.
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WHEREAS, the City of Newark (“City”) seeks to strengthen its urban forest management practices to improve environmental health, public well-being, and community resilience; and
WHEREAS, on or about January 30, 2025, on behalf of the City, the Office of Sustainability applied to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc. (SFI) requesting grant funding in the amount of Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($75,000.00) (a copy of the application is attached hereto); and
WHEREAS, as a result of this application, the City was awarded a grant in the amount of Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($75,000.00) for the period beginning October 6, 2025 and terminating September 30, 2029 (a copy of the grant/sub-recipient agreement is attached hereto); and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the grant is to undertake a benchmarking process to assess the City’s current urban forest management practices against the SFI’s Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard, which standard establishes a comprehensive baseline of canopy coverage, community engagement, and management systems; and
WHEREAS, said benchmarking will identify strengths and gaps, such as inequities in canopy distribution, opportunities to expand climate resilience and stewardship programs, and the need for stronger integration of public health data; and
WHEREAS, benchmarking will further serve as a roadmap for improvement, as a guide for strategic actions and resource allocation, and as a way to measure progress toward equitable canopy expansion and environmental justice; and
WHEREAS, following benchmarking, the City will pursue certification to the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard; and
WHEREAS, the certification process will strengthen the City’s capacity to plan, plant, and maintain trees using best practices that maximize environmental, social, and economic benefits; and
WHEREAS, the project will engage residents and youth in stewardship and decision-making, fostering community participation and shared responsibility for the City’s green spaces; and
WHEREAS, the grant requires no municipal cost share or contribution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. The Mayor of the City of Newark (“City”), and/or his designee, the Business Administrator, is hereby authorized to apply for grant funding from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc. (SFI) in the amount of Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($75,000.00) for the Urban Forest Management Project.
2. The Mayor and/or his designee, the Business Administrator, is further authorized to accept the ensuing grant award, to enter into and execute a grant agreement with SFI, and to receive and expend the grant award in accordance with the terms of said agreement.
3. The Municipal Council hereby ratifies from the date of application to the date of this authorizing Resolution all actions of the Office of Sustainability, the Mayor of the City of Newark, and the Business Administrator in connection with the application, the acceptance of the grant funds, and the execution of the grant agreement.
4. No municipal funds are required for application or acceptance of this Grant Award.
5. The Business Administrator shall file a fully executed copies of the grant application and the grant agreement in the Office of the City Clerk.
STATEMENT
This Resolution ratifies and authorizes the Office of Sustainability, the Mayor of the City of Newark, and/or his designee, the Business Administrator, to apply for and accept grant funds in the amount of Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($75,000.00) from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc. (SFI) Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Grant Program for the period October 6, 2025 through September 30, 2029. The Grant will support benchmarking and certification of Newark’s urban forest management practices to ensure equitable canopy distribution, improve air quality, mitigate urban heat, and engage residents and youth in stewardship. No municipal funds are required for application or acceptance of this award.