About this archived opportunity

Urban Greening Program will fund projects that reduce greenhouse gases by sequestering carbon, decreasing energy consumption and reducing vehicle miles traveled, while also transforming the built environment into places that are more sustainable, enjoyable, and effective in creating healthy and vibrant communities. These projects will establish and enhance parks and open space, using natural solutions to improving air and water quality and reducing energy consumption, and creating more walkable and bike-able trails. All projects are required to show a net GHG benefit and provide multiple other benefits. In order to quantify GHG emission reductions, projects must include at least one of the following project activities:• Sequester and store carbon by planting trees• Reduce building energy use by strategically planting trees to shade buildings• Reduce commute vehicle miles traveled by constructing bicycle paths, bicycle lanes or pedestrian facilities that provide safe routes for travel between residences, workplaces, commercial centers, and schools. In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, SB 859 requires all projects to achieve measurable benefits. Per statute, all projects must do at least one of the following-• Acquire, create, enhance, or expand community parks and green spaces, and/or• Use natural systems or systems that mimic natural systems to achieve multiple benefits Additional points will be given to projects that meet two of the following:1. Provides park or recreational benefits to a critically underserved community or disadvantaged community2. Proposed by a critically underserved community or disadvantaged community3. Develops partnerships with local community organizations and businesses in order to strengthen outreach to disadvantaged communities, provides access to quality jobs for residents of disadvantaged communities, or provides access to workforce education and training4. Uses interagency cooperation and integration5. Uses existing public lands and facilitates the use of public resources and investments, including schools This program intends to award funding to disadvantaged or low-income communities, also known as priority populations, as follows:1. 65 percent to projects located within and benefitting disadvantaged communities (top 25% in CalEnviroScreen 3.0)2. 10 percent to projects located within and benefitting AB 1550 low-income communities (at or below 80 percent of the statewide median income)3. 5 percent to projects located within and benefitting AB 1550 low-income communities that are within a half mile of a disadvantaged community.