Through a federal grant, the Delaware Forest Service offers up to $40,000 each year to communities throughout the state for tree planting, tree care, and tree management projects on publicly owned lands. The local community or organization must match these grants with either non-federal funds or in-kind services (volunteer time, etc.).
The Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program’s competitive grants are open to all municipalities, community associations, and certified 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations within the State of Delaware. Funds can only be utilized on public property owned by the municipality, HOA, or nonprofit organization.
Grants range from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $5,000 in one of two project categories: tree planting or tree management. All applications require a 50-50 cost-share match in either cash or in-kind services within program guidelines.
Applications are limited to one project in one project category and are judged on a competitive basis by a grant committee of the Delaware Community Forestry Council. Eligible projects must be performed on public lands within the community. Priority is given to first time applicants, Tree Friendly Communities, and applicants that have passed an Urban Tree Canopy Goal Resolution (only applies to Municipalities).
Completed applications are mailed to:
Delaware Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program
2320 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901
Examples of activities eligible for grant funding can include:
- Tree Planting
- Hazard Tree Mitigation
- Development of a Professional Tree Inventory
APPLICATION MATERIALS
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2022 Tree Grant Requirements (PDF) (MS WORD)
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2022 Urban and Community Grant Application (ONLINE)
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2022 Volunteer Tracker (MS Excel)
RESOURCES:
REQUIRED ELEMENTS:
- Contact Information
- Project Description
- Qualified Match
- Cost Estimate (Three Bids on Letterhead or Copy of Signed Contract)
- Site Map with tree species and locations identified by address
- Signature Page
To be considered for ranking, applications needed to clearly and concisely address the required elements.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
All grants are ranked according to the following criteria:
- Overall project quality/community need
- Project encourages sustainable urban forestry through management planning, proper tree care or sustaining/ maintaining urban tree canopy.
- The project mitigates tree hazard(s) – applicable only for management grants
- Increases tree canopy – applicable only for planting grants
- Applicant has worked with DFS on a project to address DFS state forest strategies
- Municipality has an implemented an Urban Tree Canopy Goal Resolution (Municipalities) or is a current Tree Friendly Community
The Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program is committed to providing a range of technical and informational assistance to residents of communities in the First State.
For more information, contact:
Kesha Braunskill, Delaware Forest Service (DFS) Urban Forestry Administrator
Office: (302) 698-4578, Kesha.Braunskill@state.de.us