- Tree planting in the public right-of-way or in public places such as parks, village greens, and educational campuses and
- Tree planting on private land, provided approved permissions and agreements are in place.
With special funds through the US Forest Service’s Sustainable Urban Forest Resilience Program, VT UCF was selected to work with communities to support more resilient urban and community forests, with a focus on Vermont’s most populated areas. This funding is intended for municipalities and applicants that are prepared to plant trees to offset the loss of ash trees due to EAB.
2023 Growing Urban Forests in the Face of Emerald Ash Borer Grants
Applications due Friday, December 30th, 2022
Available Funds
Grant awards will be between $3,000 and $20,000, for a total of $80,000 in 2:1 cost-share grants available in 2023. These funds will be distributed through a competitive grant review and selection process.
Eligiblility
Municipalities, public educational institutions, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations may apply. Eligibility for funding will be determined in accordance with the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development’s state designation programs; projects must be in, connect to, or be in direct service to a:
- Designated Downtown,
- Designated Village Center,
- Designated New Town Center,
- Designated Growth Centers, or
- Designated Neighborhood Development Area.
The Department of Housing and Community Development’s Planning Atlas may be a helpful resource to determine eligibility. Priority will be given to applicants that can demonstrate need for funding assistance and documented prevalence of ash within the community.
Required and Eligible Project Components
Projects should create and foster more resilient urban forests by diversifying tree species planted and specifically addressing the loss of ash trees due to the invasive emerald ash borer. Projects must take place in, be connected to, or be in direct service to an area that is designated through one of the Department of Housing and Community Development’s state designation programs and must include components of one or more of the three following focus areas:
- 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;
- Interplanting species other than ash in public ways or public places as defined in 24 V.S.A. § 2501a or at public educational institutions in preparation for the eventual removal of ash trees; 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.
Although not required, projects may also include one or more other components directly related to EAB and resilient urban forests, including:
- increasing municipal staff capacity to plan for and manage public trees
- public outreach and engagement
- ensuring the establishment and success of any trees planted through the proposed project.
Grant Documents
Grant Application - fillable PDF
Note: If using the fillable PDF, download the form to your computer BEFORE beginning to fill it out.
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 or elise.schadler@vermont.gov
- Project Development Questions: Joanne Garton, (802) 249-4217 or joanne.garton@vermont.gov
- Grant Application Submission Questions: Jenny Lauer, Administrative Assistant, (802) 828-1531 or jenny.lauer@vermont.gov
Helpful Resources
Learn about & look up your UEI Number
Sample State of Vermont Grant Agreement
Department of Housing and Community Development State Designation Programs
Department of Housing and Community Development's Planning Atlas
Emerald Ash Borer Management
Emerald Ash Borer in Vermont
Ash Tree Inventories
Vermont's Slow the Spread Recommendations
Vermont Tree Selection Guidance
Vermont Tree Selection Tool
Cornell: Recommended Urban Trees
Right Tree Right Place