By Nicolle Spafford, DNR Urban Forestry Grant Manager
Nicolle.Spafford@wisconsin.gov or 715-896-7099

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced the recipients of the Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grants to assist with damage sustained during severe storms that took place Aug. 9, 2025. Catastrophic storm grants range from $4,000 to $50,000 and do not require a dollar-for-dollar match. Grant funding was distributed among the following three communities:

• Village of Cambridge, $17,000
• Village of Fox Point, $4,420.71
• Village of Sussex, $5,200

The DNR’s Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grant program funds tree repair, removal or replacement within urban areas following a catastrophic storm event for which the governor has declared a State of Emergency under s. 323.10, Wis. Stats. This round of funding became available after Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #272 on Aug. 11, 2025, declaring a state of emergency following severe weather across Wisconsin. A catastrophic storm is defined as damage to urban forests caused by snow, ice, hail, wind or tornado. Catastrophic storms do not include insect infestation or disease, forest fire, drought or water saturation due to flooding.

For more information on future funding opportunities, visit the DNR’s Urban Forestry Catastrophic Grants webpage.

For additional storm-damaged tree care resources, visit the DNR’s Tree Learning Center webpage.