Urban Greening Grants Program's first round recipients announced

• More than a dozen local governments awarded funding as part of Urban Greening Grants Program's first round
• Funding to be distributed across two rounds in the Perth and Peel regions
• Program to support urban canopies and help fight climate change

Local governments throughout the Perth and Peel regions will share in $591,839.32 worth of funding under the Urban Greening Grants Program.

The program, managed by the Western Australian Local Government Association and funded by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, will support local governments to plant trees and understorey vegetation across two funding rounds.

Local governments to benefit from the program's first round are:

• City of Bayswater;
• City of Belmont;
• City of Gosnells;
• City of Joondalup;
• Shire of Kalamunda;
• Shire of Murray;
• City of Perth;
• City of Rockingham;
• City of South Perth;
• City of Stirling;
• City of Swan; and
• Shire of Waroona.

Funding distributed as part of the program's first round will go towards planting more than 9,000 trees and close to 30,000 understorey species between May and July.

Urban canopies and understorey vegetation can help cool our streets and homes by providing shade, increase biodiversity by creating habitat and nature links, and provide natural places that benefit our health and wellbeing.

Round two application guidelines will be released in April with local governments throughout the Perth and Peel regions encouraged to apply.

Comments attributed to Environment Minister Reece Whitby:

"The Cook Government is committed to mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

"By promoting biodiversity and reducing the need for artificial cooling and heating, urban canopies can significantly contribute to reducing carbon emissions and improving wellbeing.

"I look forward to seeing the leafy green outcomes of this first funding round and encourage local governments throughout Perth and Peel to apply for the funding as part of the program's second round."

Comments attributed to Western Australian Local Government Association President Karen Chappel:

"This is a terrific start to the Urban Greening Grants Program, where 12 of our local governments in the Perth and Peel regions can plant more trees and understorey vegetation.

"These trees will ultimately see a long-term improvement in the liveability of these communities.

"At WALGA we will continue to work with the State Government on improving our tree canopy."