Urban and Community Forestry Program Development grants aim to enhance and improve a community’s urban forestry program.
Donor Name: Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
State: Montana
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement
Deadline: 01/03/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
Small and large population communities may have different needs, and the Montana UCF program considers this to provide the best possible assistance. Program Development grants support goals identified by the Forest Service and DNRC, which include:
- Implementing recommendations from Montana’s State Forest Action Plan
- Encouraging resilient urban landscapes that are adaptive to climate change
- Advancing inventory and assessment information
- Increasing public education about urban forest health and wellness benefits
- Strengthening partnerships with underserved groups.
Areas of Focus
Creating/Updating Management Plans on the overall extent, health, and function of the urban forest. Projects should aim to compile data on the overall extent, health, and function of urban forests, providing valuable insights necessary for successful urban forestry management. Urban forest health is vital for maintaining ecological balance and enhancing the quality of life in communities. Healthy urban forests provide numerous benefits, including improved air quality, reduced urban heat islands, and enhanced biodiversity. They serve as crucial green spaces that mitigate the impacts of urbanization, such as stormwater runoff and air pollution. Additionally, thriving urban forests offer recreational opportunities, promote well-being, and foster community engagement. Ensuring the health of these forests requires ongoing maintenance, sustainable practices, and public awareness, ultimately contributing to resilient urban ecosystems that benefit both people and wildlife.
Funding Information
- A total of $90,000 is available.
- The projects are meant to be large-scale and have long-term community impact. Minimum request is $5,000; Maximum request is $20,000 including indirect costs (if requesting). Grant funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis.
Grant Period
Grantees will have 12 months to complete the project from the date the agreement is activated.
Reimbursable Expenses
Reimbursable Expenses May Include:
- Personnel Expenses – Cost of hiring seasonal employees or special staff to carry out the project. (Costs for regular or established personnel may not be charged to grant funds but may count as match.)
- Operating Expenditures – Cost of purchasing appropriate supplies and materials to complete the project. Examples: trees, planting supplies, some types of irrigation, equipment rental, media (public service announcements), printing, or educational elements related to urban forestry (workshops, speaker costs, educational publications, facility fees).
- Contracted Professional Services – Costs related to hiring a consultant or contractor (arboriculture, forestry, landscape design, or planning) or other professional for the project.
- Indirect Costs – An organization’s Indirect Rate for administration and expenses not directly allocable to the grant – such as electricity, insurance, and accounting services.
Eligible Projects
Projects may include but are not limited to: inventory and management plans; hazardous tree removal and replacement; and management and planning for trees at risk from invasive species; identifying areas lacking canopy cover to strategically plant trees; supporting the use of food forests; education; trial projects for climate adaptation or a specific function i.e., pollution control, stormwater, human health, and wellness; and workforce development and training.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible entities include Montana cities, towns, counties, community-based organizations, public and state institutions of higher education, nonprofits, and tribal governments interested in conducting innovative projects in urban forestry.
For more information, visit DNRC.
