Financial help

Urban Forestry Grants Webinar Announced: Updated Application Process

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting a webinar to help you develop a competitive urban forestry grant application. This webinar will guide you through the application form so you can submit a strong application that aligns with the DNR’s Urban Forestry Program funding priorities.

Register today to reserve your spot in the upcoming webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Continue reading “Urban Forestry Grants Webinar Announced: Updated Application Process”

DNR Now Accepting Applications For Wisconsin Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grants

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

APPLICATIONS DUE OCT. 10

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced it is now accepting applications for Wisconsin Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm GrantsPlease 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 recent severe weather across Wisconsin. Continue reading “DNR Now Accepting Applications For Wisconsin Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grants”

2026 DNR Urban Forestry Grant Application Now Open

Cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in or conducting urban forestry projects in Wisconsin can now apply for a regular or startup 2026 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Urban Forestry grant. The total 2026 available funding is $559,680, with a possible release of $139,920 of catastrophic storm reserve to fund a second round in March 2026. Continue reading “2026 DNR Urban Forestry Grant Application Now Open”

2026 Urban Forestry Grants Announced

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

Beginning July 1, 2025, cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in –or conducting their projects in – Wisconsin can apply for a regular or startup 2026 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Urban Forestry grant. The total 2026 available funding is $559,680, with a possible release of $139,920 of catastrophic storm reserve to fund a second round in March 2026. Continue reading “2026 Urban Forestry Grants Announced”

Resources For Storm-Damaged Trees

By Olivia Witthun, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator; Olivia.Witthun@wisconsin.gov or 414-750-8744

With recent storms passing through Wisconsin, communities may still be working on clean-up. Depending on the intensity of the storms and the condition of the trees, damage from high winds, heavy rainfall, hail and lightning can be quite severe. Cracked or broken branches, trunk damage and root failure are some of the main concerns, but also the risk and liability of damage to people and property. Continue reading “Resources For Storm-Damaged Trees”

Programs Support Forestry, Forest Products Industry

United States Department of Agriculture logo.

Elle Soderberg, DNR Forest Products Specialist, Green Bay
Elle.Soderberg@wisconsin.gov

Communities across Wisconsin have significant economic growth opportunities thanks to several key funding and support programs offered by Rural Development, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). These programs provide vital resources aimed at improving infrastructure, businesses and entrepreneurs across the country.

The Business & Industry Loan Guarantees program is designed to assist businesses in rural areas by offering loans that help promote economic development, job creation and improved services in communities that need it most. Through this initiative, businesses can access funding they may not have otherwise qualified for, thus enhancing their ability to expand and create new opportunities for local residents.

Continue reading “Programs Support Forestry, Forest Products Industry”

Weed Management Area Grant Deadline Approaching

Volunteers at a garlic mustard-pulling event on the Montreal River in Iron County, part of a control project planned by a previous WMA-PFGP recipient.

Volunteers at a garlic mustard-pulling event on the Montreal River in Iron County, part of a control project planned by a previous WMA-PFGP recipient. / Photo Credit: Ramona Shackleford, Northwoods Cooperative Weed Management Area

By Wisconsin DNR

The April 1 application deadline for Weed Management Area-Private Forest Grant Program (WMA-PFGP) grants is coming up. There is still time to apply for funding to help you control invasive plants on your forested land in 2025.

Controlling invasive plants on your forested property can be a challenging and costly endeavor. WMA-PFGP grants help to make this process a little easier for its recipients.

Continue reading “Weed Management Area Grant Deadline Approaching”

Grant Opportunities

Great Lake Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program

The Great Lake Thriving Communities Grantmaking Partnership will distribute $40 million to organizations working in and for underserved communities throughout the Great Lakes region. All grants will be given to environmental and public health efforts in underserved communities across Region 5 as defined by EPA. Continue reading “Grant Opportunities”

Gov. Evers, DNR Announce 2025 Urban Forestry Program Grant Recipients

Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the Urban Forestry (UF) Grant Program recipients for the 2025 grant year. In addition to helping fund projects consistent with state and national goals for increasing the urban forest canopy,  reducing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere, and improving the quality of life and public health of communities, the UF Grant Program will help advance goals outlined in Gov. Evers’ Trillion Trees Pledge commitment, which includes planting 1 million trees in urban areas by the end of 2030. Continue reading “Gov. Evers, DNR Announce 2025 Urban Forestry Program Grant Recipients”

Grant Opportunities

Five Star And Urban Waters Restoration Grants Due Jan. 30, 2025

The Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration grant program seeks to develop community capacity to sustain local natural resources for future generations by providing modest financial assistance to diverse local partnerships focused on improving water quality, watersheds and the species and habitats they support. Continue reading “Grant Opportunities”