Lake Norman Publications

Davidson grant funds authorized for tree canopy enhancements


Davidson Town Commissioner Tracy Mattison Brandon, right, joined other elected officials and town staff members to serve guests at the Community Dinner. /Courtesy Town of Davidson

DAVIDSON – During the town board’s Sept. 27 session, a roundup of town activities delivered by Communications Director Amanda Preston included a reference to the September Community Dinner, which drew a full house to historic Beaver Dam and praise from one of the event’s primary advocates, Mayor Rusty Knox.

“It was awesome,” Knox said. “It was so cool to see … just a great time.”

Knox said he had heard from town residents who supported the idea of more frequent similar outings, with the current schedule calling for the next community dinner in May.

Also during the session, commissioners endorsed recommendations from the town’s Livability Board for the first distribution of local Tree Canopy Enhancement Grants.

The town-approved program – with $150,000 earmarked for potential distribution – is designed to provide assistance to nonprofits engaged in efforts to promote, protect and improve the community’s tree coverage and environmental assets.

Stemming from the Livability Board’s review of applications and subsequent recommendations, the board authorized nearly $28,000 in grants to support projects proposed by three entities.

The largest grant, for $18,000 – to be distributed over three years – was assigned to the Davidson Lands Conservancy to help finance a partnership with PlanIT Geo, a global urban forestry consulting and software development firm. The planned project will involve a detailed analysis of the town’s trees and work to map out a tree canopy management and sustainability plan incorporating PlanIt Geo’s team of technology, urban forest, parks and arboriculture experts.

Additional grants were approved for Community School of Davidson and Davidson Green School.

CSD will receive $6,500 to acquire and plant native species trees on vacant property along Davidson Gateway Drive near its lower school campus. Davidson Green School will receive $3,400 to help fund a “food forest” project – a public area highlighting edible plants – near the Ada Jenkins Center.

Veterans monument

Also at the meeting, following a presentation by Economic Development Manager Kim Fleming, the board gave unanimous approval to plans to pursue a veterans monument.

Fleming said the first steps would be to establish a community task force to evaluate options and gather input about a town monument. A public meeting is planned for noon on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at town hall to begin the effort.

Fleming added the Davidson Public Arts Commission has pledged $25,000 for the project.

The menu featured barbecue and macaroni and cheese, but the main attraction was fellowship.

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