Specifications include, but are not limited to: The awarded Bidder will enhance the State’s partner relationship in the delivery of Project Canopy, focusing specifically on outreach efforts on the topic of urban and community forest management to municipalities, community groups, non-profit environmental groups, and educational institutions. Project Canopy program goal: Maintain healthy trees and woodlands in urban and community areas. Project Canopy objectives: Encourage proactive efforts at the municipal level to maintain healthy urban and community forests. Provide information and technical and financial assistance to municipalities. Reduce the impacts of land use change, fragmentation, and urbanization of forest landscapes. Moderate the impacts of catastrophic events. Protect and improve air and water quality. Manage trees and forests to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Maintain and enhance the economic benefits and social values of trees and forests. Build and enhance partnerships that increase the effectiveness of state urban forestry programming and improve Maine’s urban and community forests. The Project Canopy Partnership is expected to contribute to the state effort in reaching the above stated goal and objectives. Successful outreach and education will result in sustaining and increasing community participation in Project Canopy. Project Canopy has a vision that every community will actively and wisely manage its community forestry resources in a sustainable manner, and that all Maine citizens become well informed as to the proper management of these resources and the benefits derived from them. Program funding is tied directly to federal criteria outlined for the Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program. The awarded bidder will be held to these same standards. Information on federal program guidelines can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/urban-forests/ucf Additionally, current UCF program guidelines measure State success in the following areas: Number of municipal forestry programs with trained staff. Number of municipal forestry programs with tree/forest management plans. Number of municipal forestry programs with advocacy groups. Number of municipal forestry programs assisted by Project Canopy.
