Latest news with #CoRe
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Local SUNY campuses receive grants for trees
Gov. Kathy Hochul celebrated Arbor Day on Friday by announcing $15 million in grants through New York state's new Community Reforestation (CoRe) program. 'Resilient urban forests support community health, well-being and sustainability,' Hochul said. 'I'm celebrating Arbor Day 2025 by awarding $15 million in new grants to support projects across the State that will bring the countless ecological and economic benefits of trees to urban areas.' Two of the grants were awarded locally. The Research Foundation for the State of New York received $484,910 for SUNY Oneonta Forest Restoration. SUNY Oneonta will plant more than 9,600 native trees and remove invasive species to enhance carbon sequestration and recreation opportunities on campus, as well as host student internships and service-learning opportunities, the release stated. The Research Foundation for the State of New York also received $423,092 for SUNY Cobleskill Forest Restoration. SUNY Cobleskill will create natural areas on campus by planting more than 5,300 trees across five acres of abandoned agricultural land, providing hands-on educational experiences for students, according to the release. All CoRe-funded projects will record tree planting input into DEC's Tree Tracker, a GIS tool available for the public to upload every tree planted in New York state. Every New Yorker who uploads a tree planting to the Tree Tracker in April and May will be automatically entered in a sweepstakes for a chance to win a year-long subscription to The Conservationist magazine and 25 Million Trees merchandise, according to the release. DEC is awarding more than $7.4 million to municipalities, particularly to restore woodlands in public parks. "Invasive species removal and expansion of native forests in these open spaces intends to enhance the ecosystem services provided to local residents, particularly enhanced canopy that provides shade and recreational opportunities," the release stated. A total of $5.3 million is awarded to not-for-profit organizations for a variety of volunteer-driven projects focused on promoting forest health at the ecosystem-level, from riparian zone enhancement along the Upper Susquehanna watershed to protecting Bronx River ecological health, the release stated.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Syracuse awarded $15 million in reforestation grants
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — In celebration of Arbor Day, Governor Kathy Hochul announced $15 million in grant awards through New York State's new Community Reforestation (CoRe) program, with one of the projects set to take root in Onondaga County. Sixteen funded projects will establish and expand resilient forests in and near New York's urban communities, contributing to the 2024 State of the State '25 Million Trees Initiative' launched by Governor Hochul. The goal is to recognize the importance of trees and forests for climate resiliency and community health. 'Resilient urban forests support community health, well-being and sustainability,' Hochul said. 'I'm celebrating Arbor Day 2025 by awarding $15 million in new grants to support projects across the State that will bring the countless ecological and economic benefits of trees to urban areas.' Trees in urban areas help reduce high temperatures created by the urban heat island effect. CoRe-funded projects are mostly located in communities with high heat vulnerability. Studies show that forested natural areas can be as much as 10 degrees cooler than under the shade of a street tree just a few hundred feet away. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) administers the new CoRe grant program, which supports the state's efforts to plant 25 million trees by 2033. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, 'The CoRe grant-funded projects announced today will help make New York's communities cooler – expanding forest canopies, improving forest health, and moderating temperatures, all while engaging New Yorkers at the local, regional, and watershed levels. In addition to significant climate benefits, trees enhance biodiversity and improve overall community health and well-being for residents statewide.' DEC is awarding more than $7.4 million to municipalities, particularly to restore woodlands in public parks. Invasive species removal and expansion of native forests in these open spaces are intended to enhance the ecosystem services provided to residents, particularly an enhanced canopy that provides shade and recreational opportunities. A total of $5.3 million is awarded to not-for-profit organizations for a variety of volunteer-driven projects focused on promoting forest health at the ecosystem level, from riparian zone enhancement along the Upper Susquehanna watershed to protecting Bronx River ecological health. Four projects totaling approximately $1.7 million will be awarded to the State University of New York (SUNY) for reforestation projects on college campuses. Projects will serve as 'living labs' for students to research best practices in tree planting, sustainable forest management, and ecological monitoring. Funding for this round of the CoRe grant program was allocated by the Governor in the FY25 Enacted Budget. In addition to the $15 million allocation for the CoRe grant program, the Governor's initial commitment to the 25 Million Trees Initiative came with $32 million to modernize the Saratoga Tree Nursery and enhance DEC's technological capabilities for tracking tree planting and forest management across the state. The initiative is working to invigorate the State's tree planting efforts by scaling up public-sector tree planting efforts, invigorating the private sector, harnessing technology, and engaging the next generation of environmental stewards. Although these grants will be scattered in locations, all through New York State, one of these grants is located right here in Onondaga County. According to Hochul's team, the city of Syracuse will receive $2,080,083 for forest stand restoration. The city will restore eight degraded forest sites, totaling more than 38 acres, by planting trees to contribute to the goal of increasing the city's tree canopy by seven percent. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Express Tribune
09-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
CoRe urges govt to prioritise waste management
Listen to article A multi-stakeholder packaging alliance, CoRe (Collect and Recycle), has called on the government to prioritise waste management reforms in the upcoming federal budget. The alliance urged urgent fiscal and policy support for strengthening the country's waste collection, recycling infrastructure, and waste-to-fuel initiatives to build a circular economy and drive sustainable development. CoRe, comprising listed companies, NGOs, packaging manufacturers, recyclers, and multilateral organisations, submitted a comprehensive set of proposals to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination. The proposals include financing facilities from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and tax incentives from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). CoRe proposed a series of targeted fiscal measures which included the provision of green financing by the SBP to facilitate investment in waste collection and recycling initiatives. A five-year tax holiday has been recommended for both new and existing Packaging Recovery Organisations (PROs) operating across multiple cities, aimed at encouraging nationwide expansion. CoRe also suggests the introduction of tax rebates or financial incentives for companies that meet defined recycling targets or utilise recycled materials in their packaging. To further ease the cost burden on the sector, the alliance has called for the exemption of sales tax and customs duties, and the implementation of a zero-tariff regime for the import of recycling equipment. Additionally, to help formalise the informal sector, CoRe has proposed exempting General Sales Tax (GST) on services related to waste sorting, collection, and recycling. The alliance also advocates for the reduction or elimination of duties on Reverse Vending Machines, which are instrumental in collecting plastic packaging waste. Lastly, incentivising infrastructure for converting plastic waste into fuel is seen as a crucial step toward creating a more sustainable and resource-efficient economy. CoRe's recommendations are aligned with the government's broader sustainability agenda and the reform priorities of the IMF's Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), said Sheikh Waqar Ahmad, CEO and Founding Board Member of CoRe. The 2025-26 budget is a crucial opportunity to introduce transformative fiscal policies that can drive green jobs, sustainable investments, and a waste-free future. The call for reform comes amid growing concern over Pakistan's worsening waste crisis. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the country's solid waste generation is projected to reach 42 million tons annually by 2030, straining existing infrastructure and environmental systems.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Consumers Energy, Michigan State University Celebrate Partnership to Power Next Generation of Graduates
Foundation Provides $250,000 for MSU Residential Engineering Program EAST LANSING, Mich., April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy and Michigan State University are celebrating a partnership and $250,000 in financial support that is powering the next generation of college graduates to stay and work in Michigan. Officials with Michigan State University and Consumers Energy today recognized the Consumers Energy Foundation's support for the College of Engineering with a ceremony in the redesigned second-floor lobby of MSU's East Wilson Hall. The building offers living and classroom space for students in the College of Engineering's Cornerstone and Residential Experience (CoRe) program. "We're thrilled to work with our friends at Michigan State University to create opportunities for today's students in tomorrow's high-skill and high-demand fields," said Chris Fultz, Consumers Energy's vice president of natural gas operations. "Our relationship has paved the way for many MSU graduates to work in exciting, meaningful professions with Consumers Energy and other world-class companies across Michigan." "We're grateful for the continued and generous partnership of Consumers Energy as Michigan State trains the workforce of today and tomorrow," said Michigan State President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. "Our CoRe program is a key asset for the success of our engineering students, and this gift is one of many ways Consumers Energy supports the university and our students." Consumers Energy's support for the College of Engineering and Wilson Hall dates back to 2009, when its foundation made a $150,000 contribution. The foundation is the philanthropic arm of Consumers Energy helping local communities grow and thrive. The Consumers Energy Foundation invests in three key areas crucial to all of us in the Great Lakes State -- our people, our planet and our prosperity. The money has supported CoRe, an integrated first-year engineering academic program and living-learning community that works to "build the whole engineer," with access to a suite of co-curricular and support activities, such as presentations and seminars, corporate tours, tutoring, academic advising, and social events. Officials from Consumers Energy interact with Michigan State students throughout the year, making them aware of professional opportunities and encouraging them to learn more about the energy industry. Consumers Energy is Michigan's largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy's Clean Energy Plan calls for eliminating coal as an energy source in 2025, achieving net-zero carbon emissions and meeting 90% of customers' energy needs through clean sources, including wind and solar. Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for 170 years. One of the world's leading public research universities, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery to make a better, safer, healthier world for all while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 400 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges. The College of Engineering is among the university's founding disciplines and one of the largest academic units. Media Contacts:Consumers Energy: Brian Wheeler, 517-740-1545, Michigan State University: Emilie Lorditch, 517-355-4082, lorditch@ For more information about Consumers Energy, go to For more information about Michigan State University, go to Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media Facebook: Instagram: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Consumers Energy Sign in to access your portfolio
