Empower your community with a thriving tree canopy through DNR urban community forestry grants. The 2023 Legislature provided over $25 million in grant funding that will be rolled out over the next few years to create resilient urban forests and encourage the inventory, planting, assessment, maintenance, improvement, protection, and restoration of trees and forest resources.
Applications are currently closed, but please check back this summer for the next round of funding.
Minnesota DNR will also have $5.25 million available for urban and community forestry initiatives through the USDA-FS’s Inflation Reduction Act funding to states. This award will be used to provide capacity-building funding for community-driven forestry priorities, as well as enhance career pathways and professional development in forestry careers. More information about these programs will be available in the summer of 2024.
2023 grants
There were two great opportunities in 2023 with over $16 million in eligible funding. Both grants were open to tribal governments and local units of government, which are cities, counties, regional authorities, joint powers boards, and towns. Parks and recreation boards in cities of the first class are also eligible to apply. The ReLeaf grant was also open to nonprofit organizations. Click the link below for information specific to the grant. Eligible applicants were encouraged to apply for both grants!
Grant requirements are similar to make dual application easier. However, please contact us if you have questions: [email protected]
Applicants could request a maximum of $500,000 in funding from each grant. There was no minimum request or matching funds requirement, making these grants accessible to a wide range of organizations and municipalities.
Visit our grant recipient page to see which communities have been awarded grants.
Past grants
- ReLeaf community forestry grants, 2023-2027 - $6.883 million in grants for local units of government and non-profit organizations in Minnesota that encourage and promote the inventory, planting, assessment, maintenance, treatment, improvement, protection, and restoration of trees and forest resources to enhance community forest health and sustainability, reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and promote energy conservation.
- Shade tree bonding grants, 2023-2027 – $10.063 million in grants for local units of government in Minnesota that are planning to replace trees lost to forest pests, disease, or storm, or to establish a more diverse community forest better able to withstand disease and forest pests.
- 2023 Preparing for EAB grants program- grant funding two-year projects for local government units within Minnesota to assist communities in managing ash for emerald ash borer (EAB) on public land.
- Protect Community Forests by Managing Ash for EAB Grants program grant for managing ash for emerald ash borer (EAB) on public land, and improve community forests by involving community members and planting diverse trees.
- Shade tree program bonding grants, 2021-2024 - Local units of government across Minnesota are invited to apply for this grant for removal and (re)planting of shade trees on public land, with priority given to projects: with a known emerald ash borer infestation, removing and replacing ash trees that pose significant public safety concerns, or benefiting underserved populations and areas of concern for environmental justice.