PURCELLVILLE, Va., December 7, 2022 — Homeowner Associations in the Town of Purcellville are invited to apply for funding to help plant native trees in their common areas. The Purcellville Tree and Environment Sustainability Committee and the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) are working together on the new “Purcellville NeighborWoods Program”. Details and the online application are available on the Tree and Environment Sustainability Committee page of the Town website. Applications are due March 1, 2023.
Earlier this year, the Town of Purcellville was awarded $3,834 by the VDOF as part of its Virginia Trees for Clean Water grant program. The grant funds, which are matched by the Town, are being used to establish the Purcellville NeighborWoods Program. Town staff and volunteers on the Tree and Environment Sustainability Committee have established procedures, timeline, online application, and a prohibited species list as part of this new program, and are pleased to announce that HOAs may start applying now.
Purcellville NeighborWoods Program Timeline
Below is the timeline for this new grant program.
- December 7, 2022 through March 1, 2023—Applications accepted
- March 1 – 31, 2023—Applications reviewed, decisions made, and HOAs contacted about award
- April 1 through June 1, 2023—HOAs with applications that received funding plant trees, prepare documentation for reimbursement, and submit to the Town of Purcellville
- June 1 – 30, 2023—Town of Purcellville reviews reports, documentation, and prepares reimbursement checks
- July 1 – 31, 2023—Town of Purcellville prepares its final report to the VDOF with must include materials and information provided by the HOAs; the Town’s final report is due August 1, 2023
What is the Virginia Trees for Clean Water Program?
The Virginia Trees for Clean Water Grant Program, available through the VDOF, was “established to encourage the creation of long-term, sustained canopy cover to improve water-quality across the commonwealth. This grant is used to fund tree-planting efforts that raise public awareness of the benefits of trees and impacts on water quality.” Details about the program are available here: https://dof.virginia.gov/urban-community-forestry/urban-forestry-community-assistance/virginia-trees-for-clean-water-grant-program/
The Town of Purcellville, Virginia
“Purcellville-your small Town, where history and progress intersect and people prosper,” is an award-winning town of approximately 10,000 residents located in Loudoun County, approximately 50 miles west of Washington, DC. Having received the 2021 Virginia Municipal League Innovation Award for Environmental Sustainability and in years past, the prestigious Siemens Sustainability Award for Small Communities, Purcellville continues to be honored for innovation and green initiatives. The Town most recently received the Tree City USA Award for the 14th consecutive year. The Town was reaffirmed as a AAA rated community by S&P Global Ratings, the highest credit rating possible, and was ranked “Safest City” in Virginia in 2020. Once a stop along the W&OD rail line, which has been converted to a multi-use trail from Alexandria, VA to Purcellville, the Town has maintained its historic old-town feel through the restoration and maintenance of its many downtown structures, reflecting the Victorian architecture popular during the early 1900s. Today, Purcellville is the economic hub of western Loudoun County and a popular weekend destination for antiquing, equestrian activities, farmer’s markets, wineries, breweries, distilleries and restaurants. More info at www.purcellvilleva.gov.
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