Urban Forested Natural Areas and Riparian Corridor Restoration Grant Program
Through financial support provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, DEEP’s Urban and Community Forestry Program is requesting proposals for the Urban Forested Natural Area and Riparian Corridor Restoration Grant Program. Awards are for $2,500-$20,000. Local government entities and non-profit 501(c)3 organization are eligible to apply. There is no financial match required.
Urban forested natural areas and riparian corridors are important forms of green infrastructure and forest cover in our communities. The Urban Forested Natural Area and Riparian Corridor Restoration Grant Program was created to support local land managers in their efforts to address forest health issues. It does this by providing funding to support management interventions that promote the health and resilience of urban natural forested areas and riparian corridors.
Projects may include, but are not limited to, chemical or mechanical removal of invasive plant species, vine removal, tree planting, and other site treatments intended to slow the spread of invasive plants and promote regeneration of native tree species. The Connecticut Invasive Plants Council has developed a list of non-native plants that cause (or have the potential to cause) environmental harm.
If you are unsure what a qualifying project might look like in your city, look at the featured projects below:
Invasive plant mapping and removal in Stamford
Invasive removal and erosion-control plantings in New Haven
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the word "urban" in the title of this grant opportunity have any particular significance? Are rural communities eligible to apply?
A: This grant opportunity is intended to support urban forestry in city centers, as well as community forestry efforts in more rural areas. Applicants from any municipality in Connecticut are eligible.
Q: Can grant funds be used to remove dead ash trees affected by the emerald ash borer?
A: No, projects focused exclusively on dead tree removal are not in the scope of this grant program. We are aware of this need, and we hope to offer a program that focuses on dead and hazard tree removal in the future.
This program is now open. The deadline for applications is January 31, 2025, at 5:00 PM. Questions will be accepted through November 22, 2024, and an FAQ will be published to this page by December 6, 2024. Recipients will be notified of their awards via email by May 31, 2025.
See the Request for Proposals and Grant Application. Grant Applications are hosted through Survey123. If you need special accommodations for your submission, reach out to DEEP.UCF.Grants@ct.gov. The grant application will ask for detailed budget and timeline information; we strongly recommend using the following Timeline and Budget templates to submit this information.
Reach out to DEEP.UCF.Grants@ct.gov for more information.
Additional Invasive Species Removal Resource: This listing provides vendors for invasive species removal. Note that this list does not express or imply endorsement by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. This list may be incomplete; last updated December 2022.
Content last updated in December 2024.