Charles County Tree Planting Program

The Charles County Tree Planting Grant Program, managed by the Chesapeake Bay Trust in partnership with Charles County Government, aims to increase tree coverage in both urban and rural areas throughout Charles County, Maryland. This initiative contributes to enhanced forest habitat, improved water quality, and mitigation of urban heat, ultimately benefiting both ecological and human communities in the region. The program supports projects that plant trees in strategic locations such as farmland, stream buffers, streetscapes, parking areas, school grounds, and institutional campuses. This funding opportunity welcomes applications from a wide range of applicants, including individuals, nonprofit organizations, commercial and community landowners, educational institutions, contractors, and faith-based groups. The program distinguishes between two applicant roles: Project Managers—who must be capable of overseeing implementation—and Landowners, who may propose sites but require technical assistance. Projects must be located in Charles County and must meet specific land size thresholds: at least 0.25 acres and 20 trees for large tracts, or 1,000 square feet with three trees for urban tree projects. Eligible expenses include site preparation (such as soil amendment and invasive species removal), plant materials, labor, educational signage, two-year maintenance, community engagement activities, and project management costs for nonprofit entities. The program also requires execution of the Charles County Long-Term Protective Agreement for Tree Planting and submission of a Preliminary Title Report, both of which must be approved by the County before disbursement of funds. The total available funding for FY25 is approximately $23,500, and while match is encouraged, it is not required. The program operates on a rolling basis until annual funds are exhausted. For projects requesting up to $10,000, proposals must be submitted at least eight weeks before the proposed project start date. For requests exceeding $10,000, submissions must occur at least eight weeks before a quarterly board meeting (e.g., February 19, 2025). Applications are reviewed by technical experts and a committee, based on criteria including proposal quality, stakeholder engagement, likelihood of success, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. Interested applicants should submit their proposals online via the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s grant portal. The process includes uploading a detailed narrative, financial management spreadsheet, timeline, and other required documentation. Technical support is available in both English and Spanish. Questions about the application or eligibility can be directed to Marylin Veiman Echeverría, Program Officer for Outreach and Education, at [email protected] or 410-974-2941 ext. 130. Projects must be implemented within 12 months of award and maintained for two years.

Ensure title report and long-term protective agreement are submitted before funds are released; contact the Trust for help if new or small organization; plan ahead for the eight-week deadline rule before board meetings or project starts.