CANTON -- The villages of Canton and Potsdam will receive grants from New York State as part of an Urban Forestry Grant Program.

Governor Kathy Hochul made the announcement on April 26 as part of over $2 million in total donations in recognition of Arbor Day.

The village of Canton will receive $75,000 for tree maintenance, while the village of Potsdam will receive $13,536 for tree planting.

“This Arbor Day, we’re sowing the seeds of a greener, more sustainable future for all New Yorkers while inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards across the state,” Governor Hochul said. “New York’s 25 million tree goal is a critical component of our comprehensive efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and green our urban landscapes, one tree at a time.”

The grants are part of DEC's Urban and Community Forestry Program, which works to increase public awareness of the importance of trees and helps communities to create healthy forests while enhancing quality of life for residents. The grants are supported by the State's Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). The 2024-25 enacted State Budget will maintain EPF funding at $400 million, the highest level of funding in the program's history. The EPF is a critical resource for environmental programs such as land acquisition, farmland protection, invasive species prevention and eradication, recreation access, water quality improvement, and environmental justice projects.

 Arbor Day is a nationally celebrated observance held on the last Friday of April each year. It was originally established in 1872 to encourage farmers and homesteaders to plant trees for shade, fuel, and beauty in open areas.