The DNR Urban Forestry Grant program awarded $86,185.66 to five Wisconsin communities for urban forestry projects during our 2017 second round of funding. In order to ensure a pool of catastrophic storm funds throughout the year, we have switched to awarding grants in two rounds, instead of awarding all of our funds in December. The communities who received grants in April include DeForest, Neillsville, Port Washington, Watertown, and Witting.

Grant funds for 2017 projects will support tree inventories and assessments, management plans, emerald ash borer (EAB) preparedness plans, urban forest restoration projects, staff training, public education, and other urban forestry efforts.

Communities were encouraged to apply for grants to bolster their preparedness for emerald ash borer. Wisconsin has approximately 5.2 million ash trees in cities, villages and urban towns. All are at heightened risk since EAB was confirmed in Wisconsin.

These projects are critical to early planning efforts that include forecasting budgets for labor, equipment, staff training and restoration. Urban forestry grants can range from $1,000 to $25,000, and grant recipients must match each grant dollar for dollar.

Further information about the DNR Urban Forestry Grant program is available on the grants webpage, or contact Alex Elias, Urban Forestry Grant Manager at (608) 261-8455 or Alexandria.Elias@wisconsin.gov or Bobbi Winebar, Urban Forestry Grant Specialist at (920) 662-5175 or Roberta.Winebar@wisconsin.gov.