National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant Program (US)

According to the National Ten Year Urban and Community Forestry Action Plan (2016-2026), (Action Plan) urban and community stewardship has made progress over the last decade to address the health of urban and community forests. For example, sixty (60%) percent of cities are utilizing new and emerging tools to assist propagation, planting, management, maintenance, and stewardship.

Category:  Urban and Community Forestry Climate-Resilient Tree Nurseries

• This year’s category addresses components of Goal 4 and Goal 5 in the Ten-Year Action Plan:
  • Goal 4 Strategy A: Action 1: Increase the biodiversity, health, and resilience of trees in urban and community forests.
  • Goal 5: Strategy A: Support the use of more locally grown, regionally adapted, insect and pestresistant, and diverse native or site-appropriate species. Action 1: Facilitate funding to promote planting higher quality trees in urban forests with less emphasis on the quantity of trees planted.
• Nurseries are public and private enterprises that are responsive to consumer demand, so the focus of this assessment is to develop a comprehensive list of tree species that are best suited to the geography, climate, and culture of urban and community forests across the country
• Successful urban forest nursery inventories should include but are not limited to:
  • A national inventory and assessment of the existing Forest Service’s RNGR tree nursery database.
  • Identifying any additional inventory of suitable urban forestry nurseries and their assessment, to be included into the Forest Service’s RNGR tree nursery database.
  • Include in the database key elements/characteristics that are unique for suitable urban tree species.
  • Disseminate available and suitable urban trees species database to state forestry urban program managers, Inflation Reduction Act – Urban Forestry tree Planting grant recipients, Conference of Mayors, tribal organizations, and other applicable entities in the U.S and U.S territories.
  • Provide a list of stock type and species in highest demand for different metro areas across the country and U.S. territories. Identify and include demand for cultivars and native seed sources.
  • The tree needs assessment should include, but is not limited to, filters for:
    • resistance to climate change impacts,
    • variety of species
    • stock types (tree sizes)
    • identification of genetically modified species, native species, cloned species
    • anonymity blocks as necessary to protect sensitive areas/species
    • inventories are to note availability and barriers to securing urban tree species.
    • customer feedback/reviews for urban nurseries
    • identify existing nursery programs that provide training, internships and job opportunities.
  • Identify opportunities to inform and empower members of disadvantaged communities on how to develop their own climate resilient urban tree species lists as applicable.
  • Identify assistance, training, and workforce development around urban nursery establishment, development, and management for disadvantaged community members.

Funding Information

• Aligns with the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116- 260), the U.S. Forest Service may provide approximately $1,000,000 (Based on availability of funding, the quality of applications received, agency priorities, and other applicable considerations.)
• Time Limit: The Cooperative Agreement is to be completed within 3 years.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible Applicants: Non-profits, any U.S. State or Territory, educational institutions of higher learning, and federally recognized tribal organization that are operating within the United States or its territories. Local governments may apply if their proposal includes other local governments/eligible entities around the country. Private entities are not eligible but may be partners in the project.
• Matching Requirements: All grant funds are to be matched at least equally (dollar for dollar) with non- federal match, which may include in-kind donations, volunteer assistance, and private and public (non- federal) monetary contributions.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.