$1.6 Million in Grant Funds Available to Enhance Urban Forests
The Colorado State Forest Service is now accepting applications for a new grant program designed to grow the tree canopy in disadvantaged areas of Colorado.
In its first year, the Colorado Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) grant program has a $1.6 million funding pool. Cities, towns, counties, special districts, LLCs representing neighborhood groups and tribal agencies are just some of the groups eligible to apply.
“Trees in our communities provide many benefits for Coloradans, including shade, clear air and water, lower energy costs, wildlife habitat and more,” said Matt McCombs, state forester and director of the CSFS. “Thanks to a historic investment in urban forests from our federal partners through the Inflation Reduction Act, the CSFS can give communities that lack trees an opportunity to grow their canopy, as well as the workforce needed to maintain these trees long into the future.”
The CSFS created the IRA UCF grant program with IRA funding from the USDA Forest Service. Eligible projects will prioritize capacity building and community engagement to improve forest canopies in disproportionately impacted (DI) areas, identified through the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool under the Justice40 Initiative, although projects may extend to surrounding areas to ensure comprehensive planning.
Qualifying projects will include tree planting, pruning, removal, watering and irrigation installation and must occur within DI boundaries or be immediately adjacent to them, according to USDA Forest Service guidance. Additionally, projects will include urban forest management plans, capacity building activities, tree inventories, green career development and urban wood utilization within and around DI areas. Qualifying projects must show a comprehensive approach to outreach within DI areas to ensure that the opinions, preferences and choices of DI residents help direct the final outcomes of the project.
Colorado IRA UCF grants will be awarded in two levels: $20,000 to $99,999 and $100,000 to $250,000. No matching funds are required for this grant program.
The application deadline is July 31, 2024. All applicants are required to complete an online training on how to plant trees and engage with residents within DI areas before submitting an application. The CSFS will announce awards by Sept. 1, 2024, and projects must be completed by Feb. 27, 2029.
For more information or to apply, please visit csfs.colostate.edu/grants, or contact CSFS_UCF@colostate.edu.
