Making the Shade Program
The Making the Shade Program, created by the Georgia Forestry Commission in cooperation with the
U.S. Forest Service, is designed to create healthier, shaded playground areas on elementary school campuses throughout Georgia. Traditional elementary school campus designs often eliminate the health benefits provided by shade trees. The Georgia Forestry Commission encourages communities to maximize the benefits of trees, while minimizing any relevant risks. Technical and financial assistance, up to $5,000, is available to plant trees on school grounds. A dollar for dollar match is required.
Program Objectives
Through the strategic planting of shade trees this program hopes to:
- Reduce surface temperatures of school yards and playground equipment which can cause serious and painful burns to students
- Reduce ultraviolet radiation which causes skin damage
- Reduce ground level ozone by cooling play areas
- Decrease temperatures on playgrounds which will improve air quality and lessen the risk for children with asthma and other lung related issues
- Allow activities in green settings which can reduce the symptoms of AD/HD and improve test scores
- Increase energy conservation by shading air conditioning equipment, windows and buildings.
Program Components (back to top)
- Program participants are required to contact and work with their local Sustainable Community Forestry Program (SCFP) forester.
- Participating schools are required to incorporate information about the program and the benefits of trees into their curriculum.
- Tree planting must be for associated health benefits, not for beautification.
- Participating schools or their project partners must agree to maintain the trees. Funding is not provided for maintenance.
- Milliken & Company provides funding to selected schools in communities where there are Milliken facilities.
Eligibility (back to top)
The following organizations are eligible for funding up to $5,000:
- Elementary schools
- Elementary school Parent-Teacher organizations
- Community tree groups
- Neighborhood associations
Timeline (back to top)
Schools and groups interested in the Making the Shade program can get involved at any time by contacting their local Sustainable Community Forestry Program (SCFP) forester.
The 2011 grant cycle is now closed
- Grant applications/proposals are due in early May
- Grant awards determined and recipients notified in mid July
- Grant projects begin on September 1 and must be completed by August 31
Grant Application and Guidelines (back to top)
The 2011 Making the Shade Grant Application and Guidelines is available for reference only
Grant Workshops (back to top)
For more information about the grant program and techniques for submitting a successful application, please contact your local GFC Sustainable Community Forestry Program Forester or Joan Scales, Grant Administrator, at jscales@gfc.state.ga.us or (678) 476-6226 or attend one of the Grant Workshops for the Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program.
Program Participants (back to top)
2010/2011
- Alpharetta Elementary School - Alpharetta, GA
- Baconton Community Charter School - Baconton, GA
- Athens-Clarke County Community Tree Council/Harris Elementary School - Athens, GA
- KidsPeace Georgia - Bowdon, GA
- Midway Elementary School - Milledgeville, GA
- Woodbine Tree Board/Woodbine Elementary School - Woodbine, GA
2009/2010
- Atha Road Elementary School - Monroe, GA
- City of Jefferson - Jefferson, GA
- Northwest GA Family Crisis Center - Dalton, GA
- Pelham Elementary School - Pelham, GA
- TG Scott Elementary School - Macon, GA
- Wheeler County Board of Education - Alamo, GA
2008/2009
- Mansfield Elementary School - Mansfield, GA
- Mt. Vernon Elementary School - Gainesville, GA
- North Hart Elementary School - Bowersville, GA
- St. Teresa's School - Albany, GA
- Heritage Elementary School - Macon, GA
2007/2008
- Cherokee Elementary School - Cedartown, GA
- May Howard Elementary School - Savannah, GA
- Social Circle Elementary School - Social Circle, GA
2006/2007
- Gaines Elementary School - Athens, GA
- Cheatham Hill Elementary School - Marietta, GA
- Franklin Forest Elementary School (in partnership with Milliken & Company) - LaGrange, GA
- Central Franklin Elementary School - Carnesville, GA
