The urban forestry grant program has provided $1.79 million for 577 grants and planted over 14,000 trees. In 2020, the Delaware Forest Service provided more than $65,000 for 17 tree projects in the First State. 

de.gov/treegrantdashboard

 

DOVER, Del. — Delaware’s Urban and Community Forestry Program is once again offering competitive matching grants up to $5,000 for tree planting or tree management projects on public land. The grants – open to municipalities, homeowner associations, and certified 501(c)(3) non-profits in the State of Delaware – require a 50-50 match in either cash (non-federal funds) or in-kind services, including volunteer or staff time, equipment rental, or supplies. Requests can range from $500 to a maximum of $5,000 in one of two project categories: tree planting or tree management (i.e., professional tree inventory, hazardous tree removal, or pruning).

This year’s application deadline is Friday, March 5, 2021 at 4:30 p.m.

Applications will be 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 will be given to first time applicants, Tree Friendly Communities, and applicants that have passed an Urban Tree Canopy Goal Resolution (only applies to Municipalities). Complete details at delawaretrees.com.

“Our annual community grants are focused on increasing tree canopy in Delaware by promoting quality tree planting and management projects,” said Kesha Braunskill, Urban and Community Forestry Program Director. “These projects can be the basis for sustainable urban and community forestry programs throughout the First State. Everyone can enjoy the numerous benefits that trees have to offer: air and water quality improvement, increased property values, and natural beauty.”

• All applicants are REQUIRED to schedule an on-site visit by U&CF program staff, who can review their project and answer any questions.
• Site visits must be requested no later than February 19 and all visits completed by February 26.
• All applicants MUST use the ONLINE form (see link below) to submit their forms and attach all of the necessary documentation (plan, bids, estimates, etc.). Applicants should be prepared to complete the form in one sitting: there is no way to ensure your information will be saved and returned to later.

2021 Guidelines and Forms

• 2021 Grant Requirements and Guidelines (PDF) (Word)
• 2021 Volunteer Tracker Form (Excel)
• Link to 2021 Urban Grant Online Application

Resource Links

• Recommended Trees web page
• Recommended Trees for Delaware (PDF)

Core Requirements

• Grant requests from a minimum of $500 to maximum of $5,000
• Grants must be matched with cash (non-federal funds) or in-kind services such as volunteer hours
• One project in one category: planting or management (professional inventory, pruning, or hazardous tree removal)
• Project must take place on public land or community open space
• Applicants must have an Employer Identification Number (EIN) – no payment made to individuals.
• All applicants must schedule a site visit before submitting project (contact emails below)

Urban Forestry Program Contacts

• Urban and Community Program Director Kesha Braunskill  kesha.braunskill@delaware.gov
• Urban and Community Forester Taryn Davidson  taryn.davidson@delaware.gov

Tree Grant Dashboard

The Urban and Community Forestry Tree Grant Dashboard page provides a visual overview of the history of Delaware’s tree grants. Since its inception, the grant program has awarded 577 grants totaling more than $1.79 million—resulting in the planting of more than 14,000 trees. Details includes the locations and dates of specific grant projects by county, legislative map, or school district.  http://de.gov/treegrantdashboard.

The comprehensive database can list charts of the grants by year, county, and legislative district. The map to the right of the dashboard also allows viewers to zoom in to various parts of the state and then view specific projects by clicking on the blue dot.

As part of its mission, several informative publications, resources, and links are available to help with proper planning and developing effective strategies for tree planting, care, and management.

• Delaware Municipal Tree Canopy Maps
• Online GIS Tree Canopy Tool 
• Tree Owners’ Manual
• Trees and Ice Storms

Email: Kesha Braunskill

The Delaware Urban and Community Forestry Program is offering up to $5,000 in grants for community-based tree projects throughout the First State.  The program is open to all Delaware municipalities, homeowner associations, and certified nonprofits. Applications are limited to one project in one category (tree planting or tree management), and all funds must be utilized on publicly owned land or community open space. Grant recipients must also provide a 50-50 cost share match, which can be met through a combination of volunteer labor, donated materials and services, or cash from non-federal sources.

This year’s application deadline is March 2, 2018. Winners will be notified by April 2.

Complete details and application packets are available at:
2018  Delaware Urban and Community Forestry Grant Requirements and Application (PDF)
2018 Delaware Urban and Community Forestry Grant Requirements and Application (MS Word)

Entries will be judged on a competitive basis by a committee of the Delaware Community Forestry Council. Priority will be given to first time applicants, Tree Friendly Communities (HOA’s), and municipalities that have passed an Urban Tree Canopy Goal Resolution. No emailed or faxed submissions will be accepted and receipt will be confirmed by email. Completed applications should be mailed to:

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

In 2017, the Delaware Forest Service awarded $94,383 for 34 community forestry projects. Since 1991, over 200 organizations have received more than $1.8 million for tree planting and tree management projects throughout the First State.

Grants are made possible by the U.S. Forest Service and state funding. The goal of the annual grant program is to: 1) increase urban tree canopy throughout Delaware by promoting quality tree planting and management projects;  2) diversify, enhance, and promote the proper stewardship of Delaware’s urban forest resources; 3) encourage sustainable urban and community forestry programs throughout Delaware; 4) promote proper storm water management practices for better air and water quality. The Delaware Forest Service 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 Urban Forestry Program Coordinator
Office: (302) 698-4578
Email: kesha.braunskill@delaware.gov

Information and Resources:

• Street Trees for Delaware
• Recommended Trees for Delaware
• Tree Owners’ Manual
• Volunteer Tracker

 

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.

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