• Grant funding is used to keep urban wooded areas a place of natural charm.park image by Erg??n ?--zsoy from Fotolia.com
  
  Urban forestry grant funds are used to improve scenic beauty, provide better air quality, and promote a general understanding of the importance of trees in larger cities and suburban regions. Organizations interested in forestry projects will find opportunities exist from national as well as state funded programs.
  
  

National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant

• The U.S. Forest Service utilizes the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC) to develop grant programs that benefit forest areas located in cities and suburban areas throughout the nation. Under the Challenge Cost Share Grant program, applicants are encouraged to focus individual proposals in specific areas and show how they relate to urban forests. The categories include energy conservation, climate change, and public health. In order for a proposal to be acknowledged for full grant consideration it must benefit urban forests on a national scale. Applications may be submitted by state, county, and municipal governments; universities, independent school districts and other non-profit groups are eligible for funding from the program as well. The NUCFAC solicits organizations each October to submit proposals as funding becomes available. For additional information see the link titled Challenge Cost Share Grant Full Announcement in the resource section.
  
  US Forest Service
  1400 Independence Ave., SW
  Washington, D.C.
  20250-0003
  800-832-1355
  fs.fed.us/
  
  

Wisconsin Urban Forestry Grant Program

• The Department of Natural Resources in Wisconsin administers a statewide grant program to match 50 percent of organizations efforts to create and maintain urban forest projects. To receive funds from the Wisconsin Urban Forestry Grant Program a project can include plans to manage trees, create laws to protect forest areas, and develop community awareness of the importance of maintaining an urban forest. The state also promotes projects focusing on decreasing damage caused to trees by the Emerald Ash Borer. To receive grant funds an organization must be a city, village, town or county government, tribal authority, or non-profit group. Programs that are underway, but not receiving grant money will be viewed with higher importance by the state. The state provides funding for the Urban Forestry Grant Program on an annual basis.
  
  Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
  101 South Webster Street
  P.O. Box 7921
  Madison, WI 53707-7921
  608-266-2621
  dnr.wi.gov/
  
  

California Leaf-It-To-Us Grant Program

• The Leaf-It-To-Us project involves funding from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to assist tree planting in urban areas of the state. Grant money is used to involve school students in both planning of projects, and then actually planting trees on public or non-profit school grounds. Specific guidelines must be followed to receive grant consideration, including increasing tree cover on school property, planting of trees in or near designated urban areas, and involving students in all aspects of the project. Schools must provide no less than 25 percent of the projects total cost. Applicants can use materials, equipment or services as part of their cost sharing. CAL FIRE provides funding for the program as it is allocated by the state.
  
  CAL FIRE
  Sacramento Headquarters
  1416 9th Street
  P.O. Box 944246
  Sacramento, CA 94244-2460
  916-653-5123
  fire.ca.gov/