Grant funding is available for local units of government in Illinois completing tree inventories, planting trees, and combating invasive woody species
Funding for projects is available for local units of government in Illinois to improve urban and community forestry programs through tree inventories, management plans, tree planting, and woody invasive species removal and replacement. Eligible applicants include municipalities, townships, county governments, tribal governments, forest preserves, conservation districts, and park districts. Funding is provided by the Urban and Community Forestry program of the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This organization is an equal opportunity provider. The Morton Arboretum is the grant administrator. Funding for this grant program is contingent on a final agreement with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (pending).
Grant awards are available for a minimum of $5,000 and a maximum of $25,000. For all communities, a 1:1 match is required.
All funded projects must include the development or enhancement of a tree protection ordinance to meet the standard set in the RFP. Projects may include one or more of the following components.:
- Development or enhancement of a tree preservation ordinance without an additional project component. (REQUIRED)
- An urban forest management plan that is based on a digital and current tree inventory.
- An inventory of public trees in the community with an accompanying urban forest management plan that addresses some portion of the results.
- Diverse tree planting on public property.
- Removal of invasive woody species, including callery pear, buckthorn, and honeysuckle paired with tree replacement and planting.
Deadline: November 15, 2024
Contact grants.crti@mortonarb.org for assistance.