Reminder:  2026 DNR Urban Forestry Grant Applications Due Oct. 1, 2025

Cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in or conducting their project in Wisconsin are encouraged to apply for a regular or startup 2026 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Urban Forestry Grant.

The grants range from $1,000 to $25,000, and grant recipients must match each grant dollar for dollar. A startup grant of up to $5,000 is available for communities that want to start or restart a community forestry program. Grants are awarded to projects that align with state and national goals for increasing the urban forest canopy and the benefits it provides. Funded projects will support Wisconsin’s Trillion Tree commitment to plant 1 million trees by 2030. These grants do not subsidize routine forestry activities. In total, $559,680 is currently available in regular and startup grant funding for 2026.

To apply, visit the DNR’s Urban Forestry Grant webpage. A recent recorded webinar with helpful information is also available to view.

If you have questions regarding the application process and eligible projects, contact DNRUrbanForestryGrants@wisconsin.gov or your DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator.

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025.

Reminder:  DNR Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grant Applications Due Oct. 10, 2025

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting applications statewide for Wisconsin Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grants. Eligible applicants include Wisconsin municipalities, counties, tribal governments and 501(c)(3) organizations. Grants range from $4,000 to $50,000 and do not require a dollar-for-dollar match. Please note: The Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grant CANNOT cover damage caused by water saturation due to flooding.

This round of grant funding became available through Executive Order #272, signed by Gov. Tony Evers on Aug. 11, 2025, declaring a state of emergency for the date of Aug. 9, 2025 due to severe weather across Wisconsin.

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.

A catastrophic storm is defined in s. NR 47.952 (2), Wis. Admin. Code, 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. Urban forest damage must have occurred in an area with a minimum of 100 residents per square mile. Residential density is determined from statistics provided by the Wisconsin Demographic Service Center according to U.S. Census Bureau data. If you have questions regarding the application process, contact DNRUrbanForestryGrants@wisconsin.gov.

For more information and to apply, visit the DNR’s Urban Forestry Catastrophic Grants webpage.

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025.