Urban Forestry Grants

2010 Intent to Apply

Completing this Intent to Apply form ensures that you will be mailed a hard-copy of the 2010 grant application. The grant application can also be downloaded below.

2010 Urban Forestry Grant Application

The application deadline to apply is October 5, 2009.

• Application Guidelines
• Grant Application
• Sample Authorizing Resolution

Application and Guidelines

1. The purpose of the grant program is to fund projects that improve a community's capacity to manage its trees. The applicant may be a city, village, town, county, tribal government, or 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Joint applications are encouraged.
2. The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Grant program is a 50-50 cost-share program. The grant recipient, or sponsor, uses its own resources (cash, in-kind services, and/or donations) to fund the entire cost of the project. Upon project completion and approval, the sponsor requests reimbursement for 50 percent of eligible costs up to the approved amount of the grant award. Nonprofit organizations may ask for half of their total grant as an advance at the time of award, but otherwise grants are not provided up front.
3. Grants range from $1,000 to $25,000. The minimum total project size is $2,000. There is no maximum project size, however reimbursement is limited to $25,000.
4. The application deadline is October 5, 2009. Projects may begin no earlier than January 1, 2010 and must be completed no later than December 31, 2010.

Eligible Projects

Projects may include, but are not limited to, development of:

• urban forestry plans (strategic plans, management plans, work plans, etc.)
• community tree inventories
• vegetation ordinances
• urban forestry tree boards or tree action groups
• urban forestry staff training
• urban forestry public awareness programs and/or materials
• urban forestry volunteer/neighborhood involvement programs
• tree health care plans
• hazard tree inventories
• contract specifications for urban tree planting, maintenance, and/or removal
• funds may be available for tree planting, maintenance, or removal

Eligible Project Costs

1. Eligible project costs that are reimbursable include: salaries and fringe benefits of personnel directly engaged in project; necessary supplies and equipment; leased equipment and facilities; contract costs of vendors to perform project activities; value of in-kind contributions by applicant of labor, equipment, or facilities.
2. Eligible project costs that are non-reimbursable include the value of donated (where no compensation is made) labor, equipment, supplies, facilities, or services. These costs are eligible as the applicant's match, but are not eligible for reimbursement.

Additional Information

1. Learn about financial and record-keeping guidelines in the 2009 Record Keeping and Reimbursement Guide [PDF, 670KB] (For the 2008 grant cycle please refer to the 2008 Record Keeping and Reimbursement Guide [PDF, 682KB]) or contact the DNR Urban Forestry Grant Coordinator Candice Sovinski.
2. Forms
   • 2009 Record Keeping and Reimbursement Guide [PDF, 670KB]
   • Reimbursement worksheets [.dot, 528KB]
   • Reimbursement Request [PDF, 11KB]
   • Procurement Guide for Local Governments Receiving DNR grants [PDF, 183KB]
3. Sample Authorizing Resolution [.doc]
4. Recipients of Wisconsin DNR 2009 Urban Forestry Grants [PDF, 62KB]

Caution to Project Sponsors - Protect Confidential Data

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) takes seriously its responsibility to protect all confidential data that are collected as the DNR administers its programs. For DNR grant programs, “confidential data” typically includes:

• Personal -- Social Security number, date of birth, driver’s license number, signature
• Financial -- Bank account numbers on cancelled checks and statements. Credit card numbers on submitted receipts. Account and credit balances or limits. Federal or Wisconsin tax returns.

If a grant is being issued to an individual, we need most of the personal data listed above before we can issue payments or reimbursements. This needed data comes to the DNR on completed W-9 forms. The DNR has a process to restrict access to and secure W-9 forms.

The DNR, however is often sent unnecessary confidential data that are attached to proofs of payment, receipts, or other documents in support of a reimbursement request. Please protect confidential data by blackening out – also called “redacting” – bank account numbers, credit card account numbers, and other confidential data before proofs of payment are sent to the DNR. Please do not redact check numbers from bank statements.

With each of us doing our part, we can protect confidential data and minimize identity theft.

Thank you for your assistance and cooperation.

For further information: Contact the DNR's Urban Forestry Grant Coordinator or your DNR Regional Urban Forestry Coordinator or write: