 Approximately $1 million in funding is available from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for urban tree-planting projects that benefit disadvantaged or underserved areas in the state. Individual grant amounts range from $10,000 to $150,000, and applications are due March 14.
Funding for this grant program is provided by the Inflation Reduction Act and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry Program in partnership with the Michigan DNR Urban and Community Forestry Program.
Jan. 24 webinar
Prospective applicants are invited to attend a two-hour grant webinar at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, to learn about the grant program and how to use the MiGrants system. The webinar will be recorded and posted on the DNR’s UCF webpage.
“Trees provide essential benefits, from improving air and water quality to cooling neighborhoods and enhancing quality of life,” said Kerry Gray, DNR Urban and Community Forestry grant specialist. “This grant program is an important investment in ensuring these benefits are available to all Michigan residents. By increasing tree canopy in disadvantaged communities, these projects will support a healthier and more equitable future for our state.”
Who is eligible?
Eligible applicants include local units of government (city, village, township, county), tribal governments, state agencies, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations. Proposed projects must align with the program’s goals of increasing equitable access to tree canopy, broadening community engagement and enhancing community resilience.
Projects must take place in disadvantaged communities as identified in the DNR’s IRA screening tool. Eligible grant-supported activities include data collection and plan development, tree planting and maintenance, engagement and outreach, training and workforce development, food forests, wood utilization and more. No match is required for projects that occur in or directly serve disadvantaged areas.
All applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. March 14.
For more information on the Urban and Community Forestry grant program and access to the UCF Grant Handbook, visit Michigan.gov/UCF. |
