Urban and community forestry grants available

DOVER – The Delaware Forest Service is now accepting applications for up to $40,000 in urban forestry grants for tree planting or tree management projects on public lands or community open space. Requests can range from $500 to $5,000 and must be matched on a 50-50 basis with non-federal funds or in-kind services (volunteer or staff time, equipment rental, etc.). The program is open to all municipalities, homeowner associations, and non-profit groups within the State of Delaware. Applications are due by 4:30 pm on March 3, 2017. Chesapeake Bay Tree Planting Grants are also available for applicants with land located in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. In the past 10 years, the program has awarded more than $1 million to fund a wide range of tree projects throughout the First State.

tree-planting-delmar
This tree planting in the Town of Delmar’s State Street Park is a good example of a project eligible for funding under a Delaware Forest Service urban and community grant.

Grant applications are limited to one project in one project category (tree planting or tree management) 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).

Click here for: List of 2016 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

The Delaware Center for Horticulture and the Delaware Forest Service will hold two free, public workshops – Wilmington on January 18 and Dover on January 25 – for potential applicants to learn more about the 2017 grant requirements and the application process. Advance registration is required. Click here for more information and to register.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

RESOURCES:


REQUIRED ELEMENTS:

  1. Contact Information
  2. Project Description
  3. Qualified Match
  4. Cost Estimate (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) 698-4578, Kesha.Braunskill@delaware.gov