The Iowa Legislature appropriated state infrastructure funds to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR) to be used for a community-based tree planting program for derecho recovery tree planting.
The Community Forestry Grant Program provides reimbursable grants to be used to purchase and plant trees suitable to Iowa. Award recipients in counties impacted by the August 10, 2020 derecho will be awarded state infrastructure funds and bring a dollar-for-dollar local match. A total of $250,000 in funds are available. Award recipients will be reimbursed $500 to $5,000 to buy trees and materials.
The Community Forestry Grant is available to state and local governments entities, schools and volunteer organizations, and service organizations involved with local urban and community forest services, to plant trees on publicly owned lands owned by state, county, or local governments and located within the State of Iowa (DNR lands are not eligible). Qualifying public planting lands include, but are not limited to, street right-of-ways, parks, school grounds, courthouse lawns, public buildings, fairgrounds, cemeteries, libraries and trails.
Spring 2024 Award Recipients
A total of $104,214.68 was awarded to 32 projects. Award recipients include:
- City of Ames
- City of Ankeny
- City of Bondurant
- City of Clinton
- City of Coralville
- City of Des Moines
- City of Ely
- City of Grand Junction Lions Club
- City of Huxley Tree Board
- City of Iowa City
- City of Jefferson Tree Committee
- City of Johnston
- City of Madrid
- City of Marion
- City of Marshalltown Trees Forever
- City of Maxwell
- City of Muscatine
- City of Nevada
- City of Pleasant Hill
- City of Story City
- City of Urbandale
- City of Waukee
- City of West Des Moines
- Clinton CCB
- Guthrie County Agricultural Society
- Jones County Courthouse
- Linn County Trails Association
- Muscatine CCB
- Story CCB
- Trees Forever - Des Moines
- Trees Forever - Iowa City
- West Liberty High School