Apply Now for Urban and Community Forestry Grants

Municipalities, community associations, and non-profits in Delaware can now apply for urban and community forestry grants up to $5,000 from the Delaware Forest Service for a tree planting or tree management project. The deadline to apply is March 4, 2016. There are also Chesapeake Bay Tree Planting Grants available for applicants with land located in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Laurel_Five Points Park Planting
Delaware Forest Service staffers (from left) James Dowd and Francis Cole used an auger to help prepare an area of Five Points Park in Laurel, Sussex County for the planting of 16 trees funded by a $3,120 urban and community forestry grant. The grant was part of $15,800 awarded to fund projects in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Through a federal grant, the Delaware Forest Service offers up to $50,000 each year to communities throughout the state for tree planting, tree care, and tree management projects on publicly owned lands. The applicant must match these grants on a 50-50 basis either non-federal funds or in-kind services (volunteer time, staff time, etc.) within program guidelines. The Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program’s grant program is open to all municipalities, community associations, and certified 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations within the State of Delaware.

Grants range from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $5,000 in one of two project categories: tree planting or tree management. Applications are limited to one project in one project category and are judged on a competitive basis by a grant committee of the Delaware Community Forestry Council. Eligible projects must be performed on public lands within the community. Priority is given to first time applicants, Tree Friendly Communities, and applicants that have passed an Urban Tree Canopy Goal Resolution (only applies to Municipalities).

A free workshop to help participants complete the application process will be held on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Delaware Center for Horticulture at 1810 N. DuPont St, Wilmington, DE 19806  Contact: Vikram Krishnamurthy, Phone:(302) 658-6262

Please register by January 15 at http://goo.gl/mBp4Db

Click here for: Prior Urban and Community Grant Winners

Completed applications should be mailed to:

 Delaware Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program
2320 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901

Examples of activities eligible for grant funding can include:

  • Tree Planting
  • Hazard Tree Mitigation
  • Development of a Professional Tree Inventory

Resources:

Funds can only be utilized on public property owned by the municipality, HOA, or nonprofit organization.

2016 Urban and Community Grant Application Materials

REQUIRED ELEMENTS

  1. Contact Information
  2. Project Description
  3. Qualified Match
  4. Work Summary (Three Bids on Letterhead or Copy of Signed Contract)
  5. Site Map with tree species and locations identified by address
  6. Signature Page

 To be considered for ranking, applications needed to clearly and concisely address the required elements.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

All grants are ranked according to the following criteria:

  1. Overall project quality/community need
  2. Project encourages sustainable urban forestry through management planning, proper tree care or sustaining/ maintaining urban tree canopy.
  3. The project mitigates tree hazard(s) – applicable only for management grants
  4. Increases tree canopy – applicable only for planting grants
  5. Applicant has worked with DFS on a project to address DFS state forest strategies
  6. Municipality has an implemented an Urban Tree Canopy Goal Resolution (Municipalities) or is a current Tree Friendly Community

The Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program is committed to providing a range of technical and informational assistance to residents of communities in the First State.

For more information, contact:
Kesha Braunskill, Delaware Forest Service (DFS) Urban Forestry Administrator
Office: (302) 659-6704 or (302) 698-4578, Kesha.Braunskill@delaware.gov