Italy: Gulf Coast Community Foundation grant provides fresh growth for Venice Urban Forest
Newswire
Venice: Venice Area Beautification, a 30-year-old, volunteer based organization, has received a $100,000 grant from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation to support Phase 3 of the Venice Urban Forest.
Jon Thaxton is Senior Vice President of Community Leadership for the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.
“The Venice Urban Forest, powered in part by funding from Gulf Coast, is an environmental safe haven for wildlife, clean water, and a place of natural respite for residents and visitors,” Gulf Coast Community Foundation Senior Vice President of Community Leadership Jon Thaxton said.
“The secret sauce in the success of this project has been the hardworking volunteers of VABI who have not been deterred by rain, heat, or hurricanes in their mission to create an accessible and beautiful walking trail forest for all.”
Phase 3 is the final stage of the Urban Forest, located along an industrial corridor, and focuses on installation of additional irrigation piping to support all new trees and understory plants. The grant will cover the cost for native trees to be bought and planted, including 400 slash pines, 200 red cedars, and 10 longleaf pines.
The grant is especially timely after the Urban Forest sustained significant damage from Hurricane Ian, losing approximately 125 trees. The Urban Forest is home to more than 90 species of birds.
Since 1998, Gulf Coast has provided over $1.5 million dollars in its historic partnership with VABI.
“The Gulf Coast Community Foundation has been a constant and strong supporter of VABI and many of its endeavors over the years,” VABI Board of Directors President Nancy Woodley said. “I am very thankful that I live in a community where such a generous foundation has supported this organization from the beginning. The Venice Urban Forest is a magical place for future generations to enjoy. We are grateful for Gulf Coast’s impact on this long lasting endeavor.”
The future of the Urban Forest includes using natural materials to stabilize a maintenance pathway so volunteers can continue to maintain the property. Phase 1 of the Venice Urban Forest is open from dawn to dusk.
