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Urban Forestry

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Urban Forestry, image of a street lined with trees

IRA Iowa Tree Planting Grant

Through the USDA Forest Service Inflation Reduction Act, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) received funds for tree planting grants for communities.

The IRA Iowa Tree Planting Grant provides reimbursable grants to purchase trees, mulch, tree staking/protection and supplemental watering by contractor or city staff. The grant is a two-year program allowing for planting to take place in the spring and fall of 2025 and 2026. Grant funding is competitive, non-match, and awarded in amounts between $10,000 to $30,000 per applicant.

The IRA Iowa Tree Planting grants are available to community governmental entities, volunteer organizations, and service organizations involved with local urban and community forest services, for planting trees on publicly owned properties within the community to diversify the tree canopy, increase tree benefits, and help disadvantaged populations with energy costs and health disparities, and increase access to parks and nature. Eligibility is determined by the Forest Cover and Socioeconomic Assessment Tool.

To apply:

  1. Read the Instructions and Requirements.
  2. Check the Forest Cover and Socioeconomic Assessment Tool or the Community Eligibility List.
  3. Eligible applicants can then go to the Iowa DNR slideroom to apply. Cick on IRA Iowa Tree Planting Grant.
  4. Only trees from the Approved Species List can be reimbursed through this program.

Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, December 30, 2024. Award recipients will be notified by Wednesday, January 15, 2025.

For questions about the application, reimbursement and rules, please contact Chip Murrow at chip.murrow@dnr.iowa.gov or 515-822-1031.

For application assistance or to set up a site visit, please contact Laurie Dams at lauren.dams@dnr.iowa.gov or 515-782-6414

 

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 purchase and plant trees suitable to Iowa. Award recipients in counties impacted by the August 10, 2020 derecho will be awarded state infrastructure funds in reimbursable grants. An estimated $250,000 in funds are available. Award recipients will be reimbursed $500 to $10,000 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.

One applicant (a local government entity, school, service organization, etc.) can submit an application for multiple projects or locations for up to $10,000.

Spring 2025 Community Forestry Grant Application – Due March 3, 2025

Spring 2025 Community Forestry Grant Application Frequently Asked Questions

 

Trees for Kids Grant

Iowa DNR funds to plant trees in public areas of communities (park, community center, public school, etc.) are available for this fall. Trees for Kids grants provides reimbursable grants to buy trees and mulch to help increase and diversify tree canopy.

A total of $50,000 in funds are available. Grant funding is competitive, non-match, and awarded in amounts of up to $2,500 per project.

An approved tree species list is in the Nursery notification letter below. Youth are required to be engaged in the process, most often helping to plant the trees on site.

Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, August 26, 2024.  Award recipients will be notified by Friday, September 6, 2024.

Trees for Schools Grant Application Fall 2024
Nursery Notification Letter

For assistance with the application, questions about reimbursement and rules, or to set up a site visit, please contact Chip Murrow at chip.murrow@dnr.iowa.gov or 515-822-1031.

 

Trees for Schools Grant

Through the USDA Forest Service & National Association of State Foresters (NASF) 2023 Inflation Reduction Act, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) received funds for tree planting grants for schools.

The Trees for Schools Grant provides reimbursable grants to purchase trees, mulch and supplemental watering when school is not in session (June – September). A total of $125,000 in funds are available. Grant funding is competitive, non-match, and awarded in amounts of up to $5,000 per project.

The Trees for Schools grants are available to eligible public and private schools and school districts to help increase and diversify tree canopy on school grounds (an approved tree species list is in the Nursery Letter), encouraging students to take an active part in this experience and increasing the benefits trees provide to students. Eligibility is determined by 25% or higher free and reduced lunches and/or schools in communities eligible through the Forest Cover and Socioeconomic Assessment Tool.

Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 22, 2024. Award recipients will be notified by Monday, April 1, 2024.

Trees for Schools Grant Application Spring 2024
Nursery Notification Letter

For assistance with the application, questions about reimbursement and rules, or to set up a site visit, please contact Chip Murrow at chip.murrow@dnr.iowa.gov or 515-822-1031.

Community Tree Inventories

The Iowa DNR, in cooperation with Iowa forestry professionals and USDA Forest Service, conducts inventories and completes management plans for Iowa communities of 5,000 residents or less on an ongoing basis.  

The purpose of an inventory is to gather accurate information about the composition and condition of a community’s city-owned tree resources, so that the community is able to manage its trees most effectively.

Inventory and management plan benefits include:

  • Monetary valuation of the numerous benefits that trees provide to a community
  • Creation of a long-term management plan and justification for allocation of necessary funding
  • Identification and assessment of hazard trees, which pose a potential threat to life and property
  • Determination of short and long-term management and canopy goals
  • Prioritization of community’s forestry resources, including staff time and equipment, and increased efficiency of such resources
  • Maintenance and growth of a safe, healthy, and productive urban forest

Most importantly, the information gathered through an inventory and compiled into a management plan gives a community the tools it needs to move from a reactive position of responding to storm damage, invasive pests such as emerald ash borer (EAB), and other catastrophes after they occur, to a proactive position where it can potentially minimize the harm these events are capable of doing before they happen.

For interactive and up-to-date information about the city-owned trees in your community, please click the "View My Community's Trees" bar below and follow these INSTRUCTIONS (NOTE: to view a management plan for your community, or to determine whether your community has had an inventory conducted recently, please refer to the management plans listed under the "Urban Forestry Management Plans" heading below).

 

View My Community's Trees

Urban Forestry Management Plans

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    Tree City USA and Tree Campus USA

    The National Arbor Day Foundation's Tree City USA program is coordinated by Iowa DNR with the goal of enhancing the forest resources of Iowa communities. The program recognizes cities and towns that have provided an outstanding example for other communities through the improvement of their forest resources. In order for a community to qualify, it must:

    • possess either a city forester or an active tree board
    • have a tree ordinance
    • spend at least $2 per capita annually for its community forestry program
    • observe Arbor Day through a community proclamation and celebration

    To fill out an application, or for more information, please visit Tree City USA. 

    Return completed applications to:
    Emma Hanigan
    Wallace State Office Building
    502 E. 9th Street
    Des Moines, IA 50319-0034

    Completed paper applications also require the following worksheet:
    Attachment C


    The National Arbor Day Foundation's Tree Campus USA  program promotes the establishment and maintenance of healthy college and university campus forests for the benefit of current and future students and residents. The program recognizes schools that effectively manage their campus trees, develop connectivity with their communities, and engage their students in service learning opportunities. 

    Requirements are as follows:

    • Campus Tree Advisory Committee
    • Campus Tree Care Plan
    • Campus Tree Program with Dedicated Annual Expenditures
    • Arbor Day Observance
    • Service Learning Project

    To fill out an application, or for more information, please visit Tree Campus USA.


    Return completed applications to:
    Emma Hanigan
    Wallace State Office Building
    502 E. 9th Street
    Des Moines, IA 50319-0034