Community Tree Planting Grants

The 2025 Community Tree Planting Grant, administered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), provides funding to support the planting and maintenance of shade trees on public and tribal lands across Minnesota. This grant initiative is designed to replace trees lost to pests, disease, or storm events, mitigate the risks associated with hazardous ash trees, and increase urban tree diversity to improve climate resilience and ecological health. Projects must follow best practices and prioritize environmental benefits through strategic planting and removal activities. Eligible applicants for this funding opportunity include Tribal governments, cities, counties, townships, and parks and recreation boards within first-class cities in Minnesota. Projects may include tree removals and replanting, especially of hazardous ash trees, or planting initiatives in areas of high community vulnerability based on the Supplemental Demographic Index (SDI). Residential tree planting is permitted with specific restrictions and requires agreements with property owners. The grant prioritizes projects that remove and replace ash trees posing significant safety risks and those that occur within SDI-identified priority census block groups. The program is supported by a total of $4,850,000 in available funds. Applicants may request any amount up to a $500,000 maximum. No matching funds are required and applicants are discouraged from providing matching funds unless they are not sourced from other state-funded grants. All project activities must align with grant rules and guidelines, including using approved tree species and size, mapping trees planted and removed, and complying with EAB flight season limitations on ash tree removals. Funding may be used for direct project costs such as professional services, equipment under $5,000, planting stock, and tree care materials. Ineligible costs include purchases over $5,000, land acquisition, soil modification, or any expenses incurred prior to contract execution. All applications are due by October 13, 2025, and must be submitted electronically to the DNR at ucf.dnr@state.mn.us. Applicants requesting $50,000 or more must also complete a Pre-Award Risk Assessment Questionnaire, except for Tribal governments who are exempt. All applications must include a work plan, budget, species list, three-year tree establishment plan, and supporting documentation if collaborating with outside partners. DNR will evaluate applications through a tiered review process based on alignment with funding priorities, project readiness, feasibility, community engagement, and applicant capacity. A minimum project score of 70 is required, along with a past performance score of 3 or higher if applicable. Selected applicants will be notified by December 23, 2025. Contracts are expected to be finalized by March 15, 2026, after which grantees may begin project activities. Reimbursements will be provided semi-annually, with 10% of the total award withheld until project completion and submission of a final report due June 30, 2027. Projects will be monitored for compliance and performance throughout the grant period. All trees planted and removed must be reported with geographic shapefiles and photographic documentation to ensure transparency and accountability. DNR reserves the right to modify project scopes, reject proposals, or close grants early if performance expectations are not met. For application guidance, questions must be submitted by September 30, 2025.

Focus on SDI priority areas, select climate-resilient species, avoid prohibited trees, and consult DNR mapping tools.