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Northeast Georgia
Tree Planting Initiative Background The Northeast Georgia Tree Planting for Ecosystem
Restoration and Green Jobs project is a partnership, between the Chestatee-Chattahoochee, Oconee River and Upper Ocmulgee
River Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils to help create or retain approximately 42 Green Industry jobs
under the Georgia Forestry Commission’s Georgia Growing Green and American Recovery and Re-investment Act (ARRA) Grant
Program. In late 2009, the Georgia RC&D Councils requested all member counties to submit a preliminary application and
site plan for public properties in their county. As a result, thirteen different counties submitted forty-three applications.
After a detailed review of each application and certain ARRA funding requirements paired down some of the applications, thirty-two
sites and approximately 500 trees were approved. Progress The first tree plantings occurred April 1, at DeShong Park and Graves Park in Gwinnett County. Similarly, Hart County has recently planted trees at the Gateway Industrial Park and the County Parks and Recreation Fields. These sites are just four of the 32 project sites that will be completed by the end of March next year. The rest of the sites will be planted during this Fall planting season.  Economic and Environmental Stimulus Through this partnership, the Northeast Georgia RC&D Councils will be assisting to create private sector jobs in an industry that was extremely hard hit by the most recent drought and housing slowdown. This project will also help to enhance these urban areas through reforesting the communities as well as providing stormwater and bio-diversity improvements. To assist the RC&D Councils with planning activities and technical assistance, we will be contracting with a private sector Certified Arborist beginning this summer. Below is a vacancy announcement for any interested applicants who have the minimum requirements listed and wish to participate in this project. Please note that the deadline to apply for the Certified Arborist position is July 9, 2010. A key component of this project is that Private and Local landscape installation contractors will be given the opportunity
to bid on projects in their communities. These contractors
will be purchasing the trees from local nurseries and be contracted to provide the maintenance for a one-year period.
If you are an interested landscape installation contractor and wish to be contacted directly, please submit your company name, contact person, phone number, and address to: Chestatee-Chattahoochee RC&D CouncilAttn: Josh Crozier 170 Scoggins Drive, Demorest, GA 30535 Or joshua.crozier@ga.usda.gov Or fax: 706-894-1591Upcoming Information and Other Events More information will be made available in the near future regarding project specifications and project locations so be sure to check back here soon! For more information on upcoming events and for photos of the completed projects mentioned above as well as other news sources, related to ARRA funding planting project visit: Georgia Natural Resources Conservation Service Update on ARRA Activity Sustainable Community Forestry Program Georgia Urban Forest Council |
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