Urban Forestry Grants
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources offers urban forestry grants to cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in or conducting projects in Wisconsin. These grants fall into four categories: IRA grants, regular grants, startup grants and catastrophic storm grants.
Regular grants
Regular grants are competitive cost-share grants of up to $25,000. Grants are to support new, innovative projects that will develop sustainable urban and community forestry programs, not to subsidize routine forestry activities.
Applications for 2025 will be accepted from July 1, 2024 through October 1, 2024.
Startup grants
Startup grants are competitive cost-share grants of up to $5,000. These simplified grants are available to communities that want to start or restart an urban forestry program.
Applications for 2025 will be accepted from July 1, 2024 through October 1, 2024.
Catastrophic storm grants
Catastrophic storm grants fund tree repair, removal or replacement within urban areas following a catastrophic storm event for which the governor has declared a state of emergency under s. 323.10, Wis. Stats.
Applications are not being taken at this time.
Additional Resources
Storm debris guidance document for communities
IRA Grants
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) grants are competitive no-match grants of up to $500,000. These grants use federal funds to support projects that positively impact trees and people within disadvantaged communities in Wisconsin.
Applications are not being taken at this time.
Guidance and forms for current project sponsors
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Tracking and claiming costs
- Recordkeeping and reimbursement guides: 2024, 2023, 2022
- Regular and Startup grant reimbursement worksheets
- Catastrophic storm grant reimbursement worksheets
- Procurement Guide for Local Governments Receiving Grants (State or Federal) from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (all project years)
- Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) classified equipment rates
Progress reporting
Guides
- Developing Tree Purchase and Planting Specifications for Bid
- Minimum Tree Inventory Attributes
- Technical Guide to Developing Urban Forestry Plans & Urban Forest Management Plans
- Guidelines for Emerald Ash Borer Plans
- Guidelines for Working with Consultants
Previous award recipients
- Selected 2025 Urban Forestry Grant Recipients
- Selected 2024-2027 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Urban Forestry Grant Recipients
- Selected 2024 Urban Forestry Grant Recipients
- Selected 2023 Urban Forestry Grant Recipients
- Selected 2022 Urban Forestry Grant Recipients
- Selected 2021 Urban Forestry Grant Recipients
- Selected 2020 Urban Forestry Grant Recipients
- 2020 Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grant Recipients
- Selected 2019 Urban Forestry Grant Recipients
- Selected 2018 Urban Forestry Grant Recipients
Videos
- Grant Application Information
Covers the differences between startup grants and regular grants, how/when to contact urban forestry coordinators, recent changes to the grant application form and other topics related to the grant application process. - Grant Reimbursement Common Mistakes
Covers several of the most common mistakes that are made on grant reimbursement request forms and how to avoid them.