Clarksville wins $126,000 DNR grant for urban forestry; staff to plant 50 trees and pursue ordinance updates

Neil introduced the town’s urban‑forestry work and handed the presentation to Eric Arbertsenbeck, the consulting arborist. Staff reported Clarksville received a $126,000 grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for tree‑canopy initiatives and said the grant is fully reimbursable.

Arbertsenbeck summarized a canopy assessment comparing 2010, 2024 and 2026 imagery and said the town averages about 30% canopy coverage; he noted an estimated 2.3% decline in canopy attributed to recent large development north of I‑265 and east of I‑65. Staff said they plan to establish a tree board that will meet monthly, update two ordinance sections (zoning and general ordinances) and plant approximately 50 trees this fall; about $122,000 of the grant remains to be drawn down, and Eocene (the consultant) has not yet billed the town for the project as of the presentation.

Staff requested any council questions and said ordinance changes are planned for the September Planning Commission cycle and back to council later for votes.

Provenance: topic introduced SEG 1086; presentation and Q&A through SEG 1271.