Regular Urban Forestry Grants

Regular urban forestry grants support projects that improve a community’s capacity to manage its trees. Cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in or conducting their project in Wisconsin may apply for a regular urban forestry grant.

About

Grants range from $1,000 to $25,000 and require a 50–50 match (total project cost range is $2,000 to $50,000).

The project sponsor must initially fund 100% of project costs with a combination of cash, labor and/or donations. Upon completion, the project sponsor requests reimbursement for 50% of eligible costs (501[c][3] nonprofit organizations may request an advance when a grant is awarded).

Projects begin Jan. 1 and must be completed within one calendar year.

Eligible projects and costs

Projects must relate to community tree management, maintenance or education within Wisconsin cities, villages or other areas of concentrated development.

Eligible project activities include, but are not limited to:

• tree pruning;
• tree removals;
• tree planting;
• tree plant health care;
• urban wood utilization;
• management plan or update;
• emerging threats plan or update;
• storm response plan or update;
• tree ordinance development or update;
• tree inventory or update;
• gravel beds/nursery;
• advocacy group development;
• staff training/education; and
• public education, information and outreach.

Ineligible projects include, but are not limited to:

• construction projects (such as trails, fences, shelters, buildings and site grading) not directly related to planting;
• land clearing or stump removal projects not directly related to tree planting or removal; and
• land or boundary surveys or title search, appraisal, sale or exchange of real property.

Eligible costs are those necessary for completing the project and incurred during the project period. Costs must be documented, reasonable and consistent with the project scope. Examples include:

• salaries and fringe benefits of people working directly on the project;
• cost of services, supplies, equipment or facilities used on the project; and
• value of labor, services, supplies, equipment or facilities donated to the project by third parties.

Application steps

• Obtain a resolution from your governing body designating a representative to file the application and handle all grant actions on behalf of the applicant.
  • Sample Resolution [doc]
• Complete application form 8700-298.
  • This 2026 grant application form is currently under revision. It will be posted prior to July 1, 2025.
• Complete Urban Forestry Partner Verification form for each project partner (not for hired service providers).

501(c)(3) organizations must include a copy of their constitution, bylaws or articles of incorporation, unless already on file with the DNR urban forestry program. 

Review the urban forestry grant application guide for more details. This guide will be posted prior to July 1, 2025.

Submission

You can submit your application and authorizing resolution by electronic format (preferred).

• Print
  Review, edit if needed and file.
• Save
  File name should represent organization name and urban forestry grant year.
• Submit by email
  You will be given the opportunity to edit the message and provide attachments to an email addressed to DNRUrbanForestryGrants@wisconsin.gov.

Or, mail hard copies to:

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Urban Forestry Grants
518 West Somo Ave
Tomahawk, WI 54487

Applications must be sent or postmarked by 11:59 p.m., Oct. 1.

Help

For more information or assistance, contact your urban forestry coordinator or email the program mailbox at DNRUrbanForestryGrants@wi.gov.

You may also want to check out our Consultants page.