A check for $8,500 recently was presented by Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Urban Forester Tyler Trantham to officials at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) as part of the university’s participation in the Community Forestry Cost-Share Program, formerly known as the Tree Resource Improvement and Maintenance (TRIM) Grant Program.

The competitive cost-share program is administered by the local MDC office to reimburse government agencies, public schools and non-profit groups for managing, improving or conserving trees on public lands.

University officials used the funds to trim 30 trees, remove four trees that were not in good health and plant eight trees around campus. Funds also were used to continue the Arbor Day program on campus to build tree awareness among faculty, staff and students.

The Community Forestry Cost-Share Program is available to any municipality, park department or public school in the area. For more information, contact the local MDC office at 417-256-7161.