Urban and Community Forestry Grant

The Idaho Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Grant Program is administered by the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service. This grant initiative is designed to support projects that promote sustainable urban forestry practices across Idaho, particularly in communities classified as disadvantaged using USDA Poverty Area Measures. With funding sourced through the Inflation Reduction Act and distributed by IDL, the program aims to advance both national and state urban forestry goals. The overarching mission is to encourage the strategic planting and maintenance of trees, improve urban forest management, and provide resources for education, workforce training, and community engagement in forestry. A total of $200,000 is allocated for the 2026–2027 funding year. Eligible applicants may request between $10,000 and $100,000, with no cost-sharing or in-kind match required for projects in underserved areas. Grants are delivered on a reimbursement basis, and while partial reimbursements are possible, final disbursements are contingent upon project completion and documentation. The maximum project timeframe is approximately 1.5 years, beginning after notification on May 22, 2026, and concluding no later than December 31, 2027. All grant recipients must submit a final project report within 45 days of project completion. Proposals are due by May 8, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. MST. The grant supports a broad range of activities including but not limited to tree inventory updates, risk management, pruning and removal (with mandatory replanting), public education campaigns, green infrastructure integration, workforce development, and ordinance development. Tree planting proposals must include species selection, planting plans, and a three-year maintenance plan. Projects that strategically use trees for energy conservation, stormwater mitigation, public safety, or that enhance tree equity and community awareness are given priority. All removal, pruning, and planting projects must comply with best practices and be overseen by an ISA-Certified Arborist unless exempted. Eligible applicants include municipalities, county and local agencies, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, tribes, and public or state-controlled institutions of higher education. A tree committee and project work plan are required. Additionally, each applicant is limited to one application per year. Projects previously funded for the same location or purpose are deprioritized. All projects must focus on communities that meet the program’s income criteria to qualify for the full grant match waiver. Submissions must be made electronically by email to [email protected] with the subject line “IDL UCF Grant.” Projects will be evaluated based on multiple factors including location in a disadvantaged community, alignment with urban forestry plans, use of best practices, public benefits, budget appropriateness, and potential for educational impact. Priority is also extended to applicants who have not previously received funding and communities with Tree City USA designation may benefit in tie-breaking scenarios. All project components, from budgeting to education materials, must adhere to IDL’s guidelines and undergo appropriate review.

Prioritize disadvantaged communities; ensure planting plans are detailed; all pruning/removals must be supervised by an ISA-Certified Arborist; include strong public education elements.