The Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program seeks applicants needing financial assistance for tree planting and reforestation efforts in consideration of the impact of the invasive forest pest emerald ash borer (EAB).
- $125,000 available
- $5,000 minimum award, $50,000 maximum
- 1:1 cost-share requirement
- Applications due January 5th, 2024
- Projects must be completed by October 31st, 2025
- Eligibility: Projects must take place within a 1-mile radius of designated areas through the VT Agency of Commerce & Community Developments Designation Programs. More details and eligibility map below.
2024 Growing Urban Forests in the Face of EAB Grants Overview
Eligibility
Projects must take place within a 1-mile radius of designated areas through the VT Agency of Commerce & Community Developments Designation Programs. This includes Designated Downtowns, Village Centers, New Town Centers, Growth Centers, and Neighborhood Development Areas.
Required and Eligible Project Components
Projects must include components of one or more of the following focus areas:
- Removal of ash trees located in public ways or places, as defined in 24 V.S.A. § 2501a or at public educational institutions;
- Tree planting in public ways or public places as defined in 24 V.S.A. § 2501a or at public educational institutions in proximity to prior ash tree removals; and/or
- Tree planting on private property, provided the municipality or applicant coordinates the planting of the trees and that approved permissions and agreements are in place.
Note that if a project includes removal of public ash trees, replacement tree plantings are a required component. Although not required, projects may also include one or more other components directly related to EAB and resilient urban and community forests, including:
- Increasing municipal staff capacity to plan for and manage public trees,
- Public outreach and engagement, and/or
- Ensuring the establishment and success of any trees planted through the proposed project.
Grant Documents
This document contains information to support grant applications and project development.
Application
There is a common grant application is available to apply to all three of the Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program's 2024 grant categories. Applications must be submitted using the online Microsoft form.
Please use the grant application worksheet to develop your application and transfer your answers into the online application form.
Grant applications must be submitted using the form below. Applications cannot be saved or restarted. Use the grant application worksheet to develop, edit, and save your work.
Grant Application Worksheet (Word doc)
Grant Application Worksheet (fillable PDF)
When your application ready to be submitted, transfer your answers in the grant application form, below.
Additional Documents & Guidance
- Grant Budget Worksheet (fillable PDF)
- Risk Assessment Questionnaire (Word doc)
- Risk Assessment Questionnaire (fillable PDF)
- Act 154 Certificate of Good Standing (fillable PDF)
- Grantee Insurance guidance
- Volunteer Match Guidance
- UCF Grants Frequently Asked Questions
Questions
For more information or assistance, contact the VT UCF staff listed below.
- Grant Application Questions: Elise Schadler, (802) 522-6015, elise.schadler@vermont.gov
- Project Development Questions: Joanne Garton, (802) 249-4217, joanne.garton@vermont.gov