SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (June 16, 2011) –The State of California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has awarded a $99,000 “Green Trees for the Golden State” grant to Sustainable Communities Reinvestment Partnership, Inc., a non-profit agency created to provide assistance to public and private-sector entities in their efforts to develop green and energy-saving projects within east San Bernardino County.

The grant will be used to assist the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency, the city’s redevelopment agency, with the planting of more than 200 new trees on 4^th and E streets. These efforts are part of the city’s downtown revitalization plan to make the 4^th Street corridor more pedestrian friendly for theater, restaurant and other entertainment goers who visit the area. In addition to planting new trees, the street is being narrowed and the sidewalk widened.

“Enhancing our urban forestry practices is important to city beatification,” said Emil Marzullo, Economic Development Agency interim executive director. “This grant will help us bring more vegetation to our downtown core and make the city more vibrant for residents and visitors.”

The Green Trees for The Golden State grant program provides funding for urban and community forestry tree planting and maintenance.

About the Economic Development Agency of San Bernardino

The Economic Development Agency of San Bernardino is a focused, diversified organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of San Bernardino by creating jobs, eliminating physical and social blight, supporting culture and the arts, developing a balanced mix of quality housing, along with attracting and assisting businesses both independent and through public-private partnerships. For more information, visit www.sbrda.org.