Urban and Community Forestry Grant Opportunities

Connecticut’s Urban and Community Forestry Program is gearing up for its most robust menu of grant offerings ever! Nearly $3 million will be available through 2028 to support urban and community forestry projects through the programs outlined below. Each grant program will have different award amounts, eligibility criteria, cost-share requirements, and will support different activities.

Check back periodically for request for proposals (RFP), applications, and additional details on these programs. The Urban and Community Forestry program will be holding office hours throughout the fall to help potential applicants navigate grant program criteria and support the proposal development and application process.  Check back periodically for office hours and other grant announcements. 

Urban and Community Forestry Planning Grant Program

The Urban and Community Forestry Planning Grant Program offers funding for municipalities and non-profit organizations to pursue planning projects such as tree inventories, management plans, or other monitoring programs that will help communities to make informed management decisions. More information and how to apply for this program

Urban Forest Equity Grant Program

Through the Inflation Reduction Act, historic funding is available to municipalities, nonprofits, and other eligible organizations to increase equitable access to trees and the benefits they provide in disadvantaged communities throughout Connecticut. More information and how to apply for this program

Urban Forest Resilience Grant Program

The State Urban Forest Resilience Grant Program supports efforts to restore and improve urban forests lost due to catastrophic losses from Emerald Ash Borer and other pests and diseases while building resiliency through tree diversity and the protection of existing trees. Funds can be used for management and reforestation including tree planting and tree removals. More information and how to apply for this program

Urban Forested Natural Areas and Riparian Corridor Restoration Grant Program

Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, funding is available to address forest health issues, specifically invasive control and restoration of urban forested natural areas and riparian corridors. More information and how to apply for this program

   

Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program Summary

Grant Program	Applicant Eligibility	Eligible Project Types	Anticipated Release	Match Requirement	Funding Source
Urban and Community Forestry Planning Grant	Municipalities and 501(c)3 organizations	Planning projects such as tree inventories and management plans	TBD	50:50 match requirement	US Forest Service Consolidated Payment Grant
Urban Forest Equity Grant	Municipalities and 501(c)3 organizations working in disadvantaged communities*	Various	Early in 2025	No match requirement	Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)
Urban Forest Resilience Grant	Municipalities and 501(c)3 organizations	Tree removal and tree planting in response to forest pests and diseases	Mid-2025	50:50 match requirement	US Forest Service Urban Forest Resilience Grant
Urban Forested Natural Areas and Riparian Corridor Restoration Grant	Municipalities and 501(c)3 organizations	Invasive control and restoration along riparian corridors and in urban forested natural areas	Mid-2025	No match requirement	Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

*Some exceptions may apply, contact DEEP.UCF.Grants@ct.gov for more information. 

Motivated by the multiple funding sources and grant categories with differing eligibility and cost-share requirements, UCF staff have worked with DEEP's Natural Resources' GIS team to develop a Grants Eligibility Map. 

Visit this page to see examples of past projects that we have funded in Connecticut.

Content last updated on June 7, 2024.