Community Forestry Grants

The Community Forestry Grants program, administered by the Texas A&M Forest Service, provides funding to public and non-profit entities to promote the development of sustainable urban and community forestry initiatives across Texas. With a total program allocation exceeding $1.2 million for the 2026 cycle, the grant supports multiple categories that directly enhance the ecological, economic, and health value of trees within local communities. The Texas A&M Forest Service, housed at 200 Technology Way, College Station, TX, offers technical and financial assistance to promote forest health and sustainability statewide. This grant program is designed to address a broad spectrum of forestry practices, including Community Resiliency, Municipal Forestry, Human Health Improvement, Workforce Development, Tree Planting, and Watershed Protection Implementation. These areas emphasize the role of trees in mitigating urban heat, improving mental and physical health outcomes, and reinforcing the resilience of urban landscapes. The funding is intended to establish or expand programs that make healthy trees and forests accessible to all Texans, while improving environmental quality and community well-being. Eligible applicants include public and nonprofit organizations that demonstrate capacity to manage and implement urban forestry projects. The grant is not open to for-profit entities or individuals. The application process opens on December 1, 2025, and will close on March 1, 2026, at 5:00PM CST. Application materials include a guidance document, an Application Worksheet, and use of the Survey123 platform for submission. These tools are provided to ensure applicants meet the technical standards for tree planting and maintenance, including detailed instructions on root health, crown structure, pruning, and irrigation practices as outlined in Appendix A of the grant documentation. Evaluation criteria are not specified in the summary materials, but proposals are expected to align with the program’s focus areas and demonstrate readiness to implement best practices. Awardees are required to comply with specific standards for selecting, planting, and maintaining trees, which includes rigorous specifications for tree structure, root system integrity, and irrigation schedules over a three-year period. These technical expectations emphasize the long-term survivability and ecological value of the projects funded under this program. Applicants are encouraged to subscribe to the Texas A&M Forest Service newsletter for updates, application tips, and related information. Although specific contact personnel are not named, the primary contact point is the Texas A&M Forest Service office, reachable at (979) 458-6600. No email address is listed. Award notifications and performance timelines are not provided, and no recurrence pattern is specified, although the presence of past years' documents suggests an annual or regular cycle. Additional documentation and visual guidance on tree standards can be accessed via the published PDF at https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2024CommunityForestryGrantsAppendixA.pdf.