Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Urban Forest Resilience Grant Program

Healthy urban forests are essential to Connecticut’s communities. They improve air and water quality, reduce urban heat, manage stormwater, and provide economic, recreational, and public health benefits. However, many urban forests are facing significant stress from invasive pests and diseases, including beech leaf disease, spongy moth, and emerald ash borer. This can result in declining, hazardous, or dead trees that create safety risks and pose barriers to replanting.

With support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, CT DEEP’s Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program is offering funding to help municipalities restore their urban and community forests.

This program supports projects that remove dead, declining, or hazardous trees and stumps. It also supports replanting new trees to restore tree canopy, improve species diversity, and enhance long-term urban forest health. Projects should be designed to achieve measurable canopy gains, with a required minimum 1:2 replacement ratio (two trees planted for every one tree removed).

Maximum Award: $30,000

Total Funding Available: $230,000

Eligibility 

Local government entities within Connecticut are eligible. Projects must occur on state- or municipally- owned land. Applicants must maintain a current membership in the Tree Wardens’ Association of Connecticut.

Match requirement

A 50:50 non-federal match is required. Match may include cash, services, or in-kind contributions.

Eligible project types

Eligible activities include:

  • Removal of dead, hazardous, or declining trees.
  • Stump removal and site preparation.
  • Tree planting to meet the required 1:2 replacement ratio.

Projects must demonstrate how removals will restore forest health and contribute to long-term, measurable canopy gains in low-canopy communities.

Project requirements

  • Tree removals must include a Tree Risk Assessment completed by a Connecticut-licensed arborist.
  • Projects must include a species list, planting plan, and long-term maintenance plan.
  • A minimum of two public meetings is required (one before project implementation and one at completion).
  • Projects must follow best practices for species diversity, site-appropriate selection, and long-term establishment.

Application and timeline

The Request for Proposals (RFP) is anticipated for release in May/June 2026.

For questions, contact: Erin.Alvey@ct.gov.

Content last updated April 2026.