AUGUSTA – Maine’s Project Canopy is awarding two rounds of grants this year to keep up with growing community interest.

The first round offers $50,000 this spring to grant-seekers willing to provide a 50 percent match in the form of cash or in-kind services.

Another round is to be offered in July, possibly with $100,000 available, said Program Director Michael DeBonis.

Project Canopy is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service’s Community Forestry Assistance Program.

Last year, Maine’s Project Canopy awarded more than $88,000 in grants to 11 communities to support local community forestry efforts.

Last year’s grants, DeBonis said, focused on improving the quality of inner city communities in the state’s most urbanized cities, like Bangor, Biddeford and South Portland.

“By investing in urban forest management, these three cities are helping to retain and attract new residents, combat suburban sprawl, and improve metropolitan air and water quality,” DeBonis said.

This year’s grants are to be awarded in two categories: planning and education, and tree planting and maintenance.

There is an $8,000 maximum award for each planning and education grant, which is to be used for projects that support sustainable community forestry management and efforts to increase awareness of benefits of trees and forests.

Tree planting and maintenance grants must involve projects that increase the health and livability of communities through sound tree planting and maintenance. There is a $3,000 maximum award for each of these grants.

To be eligible to apply for 2005 Project Canopy Assistance grants, applicants must attend a free grant workshop before submitting an application.

More information may be obtained by calling 800-367-0223, or on the Internet at www.state.me.us/doc/mfs/projectcanopy/.