Tree Resource Enhancement and Engagement (TREE) Grant

The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management through its Urban and Community Forestry program is offering the 2025 Tree Resource Enhancement and Engagement (TREE) Grant. This program is directed specifically at participants currently recognized under the Tree City USA, Tree Campus USA, and Tree Campus K-12 programs. The purpose of the TREE Grant is to advance the management, improvement, and conservation of community forests in Arizona by providing financial assistance to eligible communities and institutions committed to sustaining and enhancing urban forestry practices. The TREE Grant is designed to support projects that help recognized Tree Cities and Tree Campuses build or improve their forestry efforts. This includes assisting communities in achieving canopy cover goals, developing sustainable forestry programs guided by professional expertise, and promoting the benefits of urban forestry. Eligible activities cover a broad range of initiatives, with priority given to the development of community tree management plans, planting projects aligned with canopy goals, community tree inventories, removal of hazardous trees, pruning in accordance with ANSI standards, development of municipal tree ordinances, staff and volunteer training, and initial certification costs for employees with the International Society of Arboriculture. Projects must comply with Arizona Forest Action Plan needs, and any planting must be supported by a five-year maintenance plan with guarantees on tree quality and care. Funding may be used for personnel, supplies, travel, contractual services, equipment, and indirect costs, but restrictions apply. For example, no more than 20 percent of funds may be used for non-tree plant materials, tree planting funds cannot replace existing expenditures, and indirect costs are capped at 15 percent of reimbursable project costs. Grants are reimbursement-based, requiring applicants to contribute at least 50 percent of project costs through cash, services, volunteer time, equipment, or in-kind contributions. Ten percent of awarded funds may be withheld until final approval. Funds cannot be used for capital equipment exceeding $10,000, infrastructure or construction projects, food or beverage purchases, or research and development. Grantees must ensure that planting projects involve a Certified Arborist or Certified Landscape Professional during delivery and planting. Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to currently recognized Tree City USA, Tree Campus USA, and Tree Campus K-12 program participants. Eligible applicants include units of local government such as cities, towns, counties, and townships, tribal governments, public educational institutions, nonprofit organizations directly serving Tree City or Tree Campus participants, and Tree Campus K-12 schools. All projects must directly benefit or be located within Tree City or Tree Campus jurisdictions, and organizations must be current on reporting requirements if they have previously received funding. Applicants are limited to one application per year. DFFM enforces compliance with federal and state regulations, including 2 CFR 200 requirements, audit rules, and record retention for five years. Applicants must be registered in the federal System for Award Management (SAM) and as vendors with the Arizona Department of Administration. Applications for the 2025 cycle opened on September 24, 2025, and will close on November 7, 2025. This program operates on a recurring basis, with priority for projects completed before September 30, 2026, unless extended by the administrator. Applications must be submitted online through the eCivis portal, and awards will be distributed on a reimbursement basis after eligible costs and matching contributions have been verified. Matching is required, with applicants covering at least half of total project costs. The TREE Grant program is managed by Madeline Burton, Urban and Community Forestry Program Manager at the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. She can be contacted by phone at (480) 769-4184 or via email at mburton@dffm.az.gov. The program office is located at 1110 W Washington Street, Suite 500, Phoenix, AZ 85007, though applications are submitted electronically. Questions about eligibility or application requirements should be directed to the program contact.

Applications should align with Arizona Forest Action Plan, include five-year maintenance plan, and document 50% match. Projects completed before Sept 30, 2026 may receive priority.