Four Wisconsin regional planning commissions (RPC), Bay-Lake RPC, East Central Wisconsin RPC, Northwest Wisconsin RPC, and Southeastern Wisconsin RPC, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have jointly awarded a total $122,200 to communities under their 2018 Wisconsin RPCs and DNR Great Lakes Basin Tree Planting Grant Program. The DNR marketed the grant opportunity, provided process guidance and assistance ranking the grants. Eighteen Wisconsin communities will receive funds for projects to reduce runoff and mitigate the impacts of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).

The funding was made available through two FY2018 U.S. Forest Service Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GRLI) grants received by the Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission. The 18 grant recipients were awarded grants ranging from $1,600 to $13,000, with grant recipients providing at least a 25% match of the total project. Grants have been awarded to city, village, and county governments to assist with tree planting projects totaling nearly $250,000. A complete list of funded projects is available for viewing.

For additional information about the Wisconsin RPCs and DNR Great Lakes Basin Tree Planting Grant Program, contact Angela Kowalzek-Adrians, Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission, at 920-448-2820, Ext. 106 or AngelaKA@baylakerpc.org.