Funded through an unprecedented one-time allocation from the USDA Forest Service and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, Tree Maintenance & Removal grants will support local efforts to maintain a healthy urban tree canopy and address dead and high-risk trees in disadvantaged communities. This work aligns with and supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative by strategically identifying, reaching, and assisting disadvantaged communities in our state.

With special funds through the USDA Forest Service’s National Urban & Community Forestry Program and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, these grants will advance work within disadvantaged communities to support more resilient urban and community forests. Learn more about state allocations and the Inflation Reduction Act’s impact on urban forestry nationwide.

Eligibility

Municipalities, public educational institutions, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations may apply for a Tree Maintenance & Removal grant. 

Projects must take place in or directly serve at least one “disadvantaged community”, which are census tracts included in one or more of the following datasets:

• National Climate & Economic Justice Screening Tool
• National Housing and Urban Development Opportunity Zones
• National Housing and Urban Development Low-Moderate Income (LMI) areas

We have created an eligibility map that combines all three of these datasets to display geographic eligiblity for this grant program. 

UCF GRANTS Eligibility Map

Eligible Project Components

Projects must include tree maintenance and/or standing dead or high-risk tree removals and must take place in or must directly serve a disadvantaged community (or multiple).  Within these areas, Tree Maintenance & Removal Grants will support projects at the following locations:

• Within public ways and places as defined in 24 V.S.A. § 2501a: 

  • “Public place” means municipal property, including a municipal park, a recreation area, or a municipal building. “Public place” shall not include any municipal forestland or property that is subject to any ownership interest held by the Agency of Transportation. 

  • “Public way” means a right-of-way held by a municipality, including a town highway. 

• Within State of Vermont highway rights-of-way provided a section 1111 permit is in place or in process. 

• At public educational institutions. 

• On properties owned by registered non-profit entities, with proof of non-profit status. 
  
   

Eligible project costs may include the following: 

• Contracted services and staff salaries associated directly with tree maintenance or removal activities. 

• Administrative costs (contract management, invoicing, reporting, etc.) must be no more than 10% of the total budget. 

• Supplies and materials to ensure successful and proper maintenance of trees.   

• Cost of associated services, supplies, or facilities used for the project. 

• Costs of public outreach and engagement, up to 5% of project budget. Examples include costs associated with public meetings, focus groups, facilitated neighborhood walks, or school outreach. 

Grant Category Information

This document contains all relevant information to support applications for this category.

2025 Tree Maintenance & Removal Grants Guide

Application

Use the online grant application form below to apply for a Tree Maintenance & Removal Grant.

Once started, applications cannot be saved or restarted in the form application.  We highly recommend using the grant application worksheet below to develop your application and transfer your answers into the online application form once ready to submit. 

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.

Grant Application Form

Required Attachments & Additional Guidance

• Grant Budget Form (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, VT UCF Program Manager, (802) 522-6015, elise.schadler@vermont.gov 
• Project Development Questions: 
  • Joanne Garton, VT UCF Technical Assistance Coordinator, (802) 249-4217, joanne.garton@vermont.gov
  • Adam McCullough, VT UCF Urban Forester, (802) 522-5104, adam.mccullough@vermont.gov 

Helpful Resources