Community Forestry Grant Program
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.
Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 1, 2024. Award recipients will be notified by March 22, 2024.
Trees for Kids Grant Program
The Trees for Kids grant program serves to educate K-12 and college students in Iowa about the importance of trees through tree planting events at schools and on public land. Grant recipients are awarded up to $2,500 per project to purchase trees and mulch from Iowa nurseries. DNR staff members provide planting, mulching, and watering demonstrations and offer guidance to students as they plant their trees.
The next grant round will be Spring of 2024.