The Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program (VT UCF) and the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) are pleased to announce the 2024 Community Tree Planting Grant awards for the program’s first round of funding. The following 9 projects across 6 counties will be funded:

• Islamic Society of Vermont: $14,375
  For 15 trees to enhance community gathering spaces and enhance the parking lot at its mosque and community center in South Burlington. The project will integrate community education on the importance and care of trees.
   
• St. Johnsbury School District: $36,000
  For 36 trees to enhance the elementary school playground and new outdoor classrooms to provide critical shade for play.
   
• City of Rutland Cottage Street / Justice Square / West Street Revitalization: $75,000
  For 30 trees and pavement removal for shade, beauty, and green infrastructure in the heart of downtown.
   
• Champlain Housing Trust for Housing at former VFW hall in Burlington: $75,000
  For 3 trees, pavement removal, and Silva Cell infrastructure to increase tree canopy, add green infrastructure, and mitigate heat island effects at an affordable housing project.
   
• Hardwick Downtown Partnership: $33,487
  For 30 trees to be planted in partnership with private landowners through an adopt-a-tree program along existing sidewalks and public spaces in a newly designated downtown.
   
• Town of Windsor: $7,500
  For 10 shade trees as part of the creation of a public recreation park on a former brownfield site.
   
• Town of West Rutland: $27,177
  For 34 trees to enhance pedestrian accessibility and serve as a visual cue to slow traffic in key locations.
   
• North Branch Nature Center in Montpelier: $4,646
  For 10 trees to increase shade at its trailhead and new Dot’s Place community gathering space to improve health and well-being of visitors and community groups that use the Center for events and recreation.
   
• Retreat Farm in Brattleboro: $41,815
  For 52 trees to enhance community use, increase climate resilience and food access, and improve access to the outdoors for Brattleboro residents.
   

The Community Tree Planting Grant (CTPG) will hold two rounds of competitive grant applications to help fund tree planting projects in high priority areas across Vermont. The second round will open late summer with applications due in early January 2025.  These community projects will help increase urban tree canopy and improve water quality and public health by controlling stormwater. This program is being administered by the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission in cooperation with the Vermont Urban and Community Forest Program within the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation.  This program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).