Tree Inventory and Urban Forest Management Plan

Trees Forever, a nonprofit organization dedicated to environmental stewardship through tree planting and care, offers a competitive grant opportunity for Illinois communities to develop a comprehensive tree inventory and urban forest management plan. This funding aims to support communities in assessing and managing their urban tree canopies with the ultimate goal of enhancing environmental quality, promoting sustainability, and guiding local decision-making on tree-related issues. The initiative is designed to improve urban forestry practices and facilitate future tree planting efforts by establishing foundational data and strategic plans. The grants provide funding for communities to hire certified professionals or use qualified in-house staff to complete a digital tree inventory. The inventory must include detailed data on tree location, species, size, condition, and maintenance needs, among other fields. A major component of this opportunity is the development of a community-wide urban forest management plan based on the inventory. This plan must address service improvement for disadvantaged communities and include a strategy for future urban forest management over the next five to seven years. Communities without a complete digital inventory or with data older than four years are given priority. All data collected must meet nationally recognized standards and be submitted in a consolidated digital format. Applications that only propose a tree inventory, without a corresponding management plan, are not eligible for funding. The management plan must be comprehensive, community-driven, and address tree care standards, maintenance cycles, species recommendations, budget needs, risk management, and public engagement. Applications for this grant are due by June 1, 2025. Interested communities are required to check their eligibility through the Illinois IRA Screening Tool map. The funding can cover up to $25,000 in eligible expenses. Applicants must also ensure contractor qualifications and outline the project’s capacity and timeline for completion. Community engagement is a key element, requiring contractor-hosted meetings and public presentations, particularly in disadvantaged areas. Further requirements include at least 8 hours of technical assistance from the contractor for practical activities like pruning and planting in disadvantaged communities. Proof of plan completion must be submitted to Trees Forever, which will share the document with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). For questions, interested parties can contact Erik Notz, Trees Forever Illinois Field Coordinator, at [email protected].