By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

The Berlin Horticulture Advisory Committee will move ahead with plans to apply for a mini-grant from the Maryland Coastal Bays Program for tree plantings following the town council’s approval Monday.

The horticulture group will apply for a grant from MCBP for a “Keep Berlin Cool” tree-planting initiative. The maximum request is $5,000, but committee representatives do not currently believe they will ask for the full amount. The application includes a one-page narrative with an attached budget and is due by March 7.

“Trees are necessary, especially in an urban setting, for habitats for our birds and pollinators, for shade, and for stormwater runoff,” horticulture committee member Victoria Spice said.

If the group is approved for the grant, the project would include planting native trees between private residences, town-owned property, and congregations. Town staff would not be required to work on the initiative. The horticulture team would spearhead the program, creating site plans and determining which trees would be ideal for each particular spot.

“The town would not be liable for the maintenance of the tree or the success of the tree’s growth,” Spice said.

The committee member added that the group would work with the homeowner to designate the type of trees. If they prefer a certain color or species, as long as it’s native, the planting could be tailored to the resident’s goal.

If awarded, MCBP will notify the Berlin committee in April. Spice said that the project would likely take place in the fall, which is an optimal time to plant trees. Zack Tyndall, the town’s mayor, added that should the initiative proceed, the group should plan an appropriate distance between the new flora and electrical lines.

“Plan for how far we should plant [the trees] away from electrical lines just to make sure that wherever they plant, it won’t grow right into the electrical line,” he said.

The grant is reimbursable. This means that project leaders will be able to purchase the necessary materials should they be given the financial go-ahead from MCBP, and they will be able to invoice the nonprofit for the funds immediately.

Spice said that MCBP had the funds secured for the mini-grant program as of 3:30 p.m. Monday. However, she emphasized that the program’s fate is uncertain, given the Trump administration’s streak of pulling this type of financial backing.

“[MCBP] does have the funding in hand for the mini-grant program,” Spice said. “Obviously, with the political climate, that can get taken from them, and at that point, they would notify any folks awarded, halting spending. They don’t think that’s a possibility at this time, but it’s unknown.”

The town council authorized the horticulture team to apply for the grant. The vote was unanimous.