Frequently Asked Questions
Program Year 2023 Cuyahoga County Healthy Urban Tree Canopy Grant Program
Project Location and Information
Important Update
There was an error in the color-classification method in our Climate Vulnerability Map, which has now been updated (today). We have corrected the CLIMATE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT scores for many census tracts. As a result of today’s change, many more census tracts will now receive scores above 0 for Climate Vulnerability. The new map is below. Please review your Project Location and Information scores in the Healthy Urban Tree Canopy Map Viewer, and adjust your applications accordingly.
Q: Why is the “Composite Vulnerability” score different from previous program years?
A: The Composite Vulnerability scores were updated in the Project Location and Information section in PY 2023. The updated assessment is at the Census Tract level and not the Block Group level as in the previous assessment.
Q: Where can I find the Percent Tree Canopy and Percent Tree Canopy Score?
A: Click the link for the Healthy Urban Tree Canopy Map Viewer. Select the appropriate census tract for the project location and a pop-up window will appear. The pop-up window has several pages (click the arrow in the upper right corner of the table to advance the pages.) The pages show the Equity Zone Status Score, Climate Vulnerability Score, Existing Tree Canopy Score and Percent of Tree Canopy. Please review the applicant workshop presentation, and the video demonstration, for detailed instructions on how to get all the data and scores. See the screenshots below:
Budget and Local Match
Q: There is an option for “volunteer” as a budget category as a match expense. Could you let me know how that is calculated for this grant?
A: To count volunteer hours as match, the HUTC evaluation Team will accept the same value for volunteer hours as the Arbor Day Foundation. The Arbor Day Foundation values the volunteer hour at $29.95.
Q: Can I request reimbursement for activities needed after the eighteen (18) month grant contract period?
A: No. Only the costs that occur within the grant contract period (from the executed date on the signed Project Agreement until the date the project is closed out) will be evaluated for reimbursement or match. Invoices to confirm these costs must be dated within the grant contract period.
Q: Are employee expenses for tree installation activities eligible as a match cost?
A: Yes. Grantees will need to provide wage/hour costs or employee timesheets to confirm these costs after the installation has occurred.
Q: Can I include young tree training for trees planted during previous tree planting projects as a match expense?
A: Yes. Applicants may include young tree training activities and costs for previous tree planting projects (within the last three years) as an eligible match expense only.
Q: Can I use “Project Planning & Management” as a match expense?
A: Yes, if the Project Planning & Management is for the actual installation of trees. Applicants should provide a detailed account of project planning and management activities in the budget line item. As noted in the Applicant Manual, staff time allocated to grant administration such as application preparation, contract review and approvals, preparation of reimbursement requests, travel related expenses, or project reporting requirements are ineligible. As HUTC is a competitive grant program focused on preserving and expanding tree canopy, eligible matching funds for the HUTC grant are limited to specific urban forestry activities such as tree planting, urban forestry management plans, or the preservation and protection of existing tree canopy. Administrative tasks or operational activities related to the application, reporting, and reimbursement processes are not eligible match expenses.
Applicant Resources
Q: Where can I find a list of consultants and contractors?
A: The Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District has a list on their website. This list is not intended to be an exclusive list of urban foresters. Applicants may submit the RFQ for consultants not listed on the Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District website.
Q: Where can I find a list of recommended tree species?
A: If you do not have a recommended species list as part of your existing Tree Plan, the HUTC Partners are encouraging Applicants to use the Tree Selection Guide from the Cleveland 2020 Tree Plan.