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 in reimbursable funds. An approximate total of $146,500 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 Grant Application - Due March 3, 2025
Spring 2025 Community Forestry Grant Application FAQ
IRA Trees for Schools Grant
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources, through the USDA Forest Service & National Association of State Foresters 2023 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), received funds for disadvantaged schools to plant trees.
The IRA Trees for Schools Grant provides reimbursable grants to eligible public and private schools and school districts to purchase trees, mulch and supplemental watering when school is not in session (June – September). Eligibility is determined by 25 percent or higher free and reduced lunches and/or schools in communities eligible through the Forest Cover and Socioeconomic Assessment Tool.
A total of $105,000 in funds are available to help increase and diversify tree canopy on school grounds, encourage students to take an active part in planting trees, and increase the benefits trees provide to students. Grant funding up to $5,000 per project is competitive and non-match.
Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 21, 2025. Award recipients will be notified by Monday, April 1, 2021.
Contact Chip Murrow at chip.murrow@dnr.iowa.gov or 515-822-1031 for questions about the application, reimbursement and rules. Contact Laurie Dams at lauren.dams@dnr.iowa.gov or 515-782-6414 for application assistance or to set up a site visit.
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 will be available mid-May 2025.