The Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program and the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission are pleased to announce the 2025 Community Tree Planting Grant awards for the program’s second round. The program received 21 very competitive applications with a total request of $821,293; this made for difficult decisions on worthy projects that would have received awards if more funds were available. The following 11 projects across 5 counties will be funded.

The Community Tree Planting Grant (CTPG) includes two rounds of competitive grant applications to help fund tree planting projects in high priority areas across Vermont. These community projects will help increase urban tree canopy and improve water quality and public health by controlling stormwater. This program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. Click here for information on the award winners of the first round of funding. 

City of Barre: Four trees to provide shade for all six seating areas at Mathewson Playground. A 113 sq. ft. area of asphalt will be removed and replaced with grass, improving stormwater drainage and increasing green space in the predominantly asphalt playground.

Town of Chelsea: 34 trees on several town-owned public spaces; the two village greens, the south side of the Town Hall/Library, the town’s public playground, one flood zone (FEMA) property along the First Branch of the White River, at various places on Town’s Recreation Heath field and the south side of the water treatment plant, which is adjacent to the recreation field. This planting project will provide shade in commonly used spaces, reduce air pollution, mitigate flooding, increase biodiversity, and overall bring a sense of pride in rebuilding Chelsea’s green spaces.

Town of Cornwall: 36 trees in a newly developed recreational area to create a welcoming, park-like environment. The trees will provide shade, screening for the adjacent school, soil improvement, and wildlife habitat.

Village of Jeffersonville: 32 trees in the Silo Park in the Village Center along Route 15, to help manage stormwater, and improve bike/pedestrian connectivity and sense of place.

City of Montpelier: Six street trees in downtown Montpelier using the Stockholm planting method. The City will partner with UVM to design the tree wells such that they can be studied for hydrological performance.

Franklin County Conservation District: 69 trees for a planned food forest at Hard'ack Recreation Area in St. Albans. The planting will include species that are edible, support wildlife, create windbreaks and shade, and support educational programming relating to horticulture, agriculture, and conservation.

Town of Randolph: Nine new trees in the heart of downtown. The Town will also remove 25 sq ft of impervious sidewalk at each of nine planting sites.

Town of Williston:39 trees to enhance the community as a whole. Most of these trees are to be planted in a Community Park, Village location and near affordable/senior housing communities.

Town of Morristown:16 trees to be planted in the Copley Municipal Parking Lot, including tree protection improvements.

Town of Bakersfield:10 trees total at the school and the Town Common. The trees at the school will provide the beginning of
a food forest, as well as shade for the two playgrounds that are used during and after school, while the trees in the town commons will provide comfort and shade for gathering spot in village center and replace five historic maples.

Town of Jericho: For 30 trees in public spaces where shade is needed and will invite the community to participate in an
"adopt-a-tree" volunteer program to care for the trees while they are getting established.