Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program Round 17 – Tree Inventories and Management Plans

The Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program Round 17 – Tree Inventories and Management Plans is administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Division of Lands and Forests. This program is part of the state’s broader Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) initiative, which is designed to support the health, sustainability, and expansion of urban forests across New York. Funded through the New York State Environmental Protection Fund, the program aligns with statewide environmental and climate resilience goals, including the 25 Million Trees Initiative, and emphasizes the role of trees as essential green infrastructure that improves air and water quality, mitigates heat, and enhances community well-being. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to help municipalities and eligible partners develop comprehensive tree inventories, conduct assessments, and create community forest management plans. These activities are foundational to building data-driven urban forestry programs that can effectively plan for long-term maintenance, canopy expansion, and equitable access to environmental benefits. The program supports multiple project types, including traditional street and park tree inventories, inventories using advanced ground-based remote sensing technologies such as terrestrial LiDAR, natural area forest inventories, and the development of management plans based on collected data. Funding for Round 17 totals approximately $10 million, with a specific allocation of up to $3 million reserved for smaller communities with populations under 65,000. Individual awards range from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $2,500,000. The grant operates on a reimbursement basis, meaning awardees must initially cover project costs and then request reimbursement from DEC. Notably, there is no matching requirement, which lowers the barrier to entry for many applicants. However, applicants must demonstrate that requested funds are reasonable, necessary, and supported by a detailed budget and work plan. Eligible applicants include municipalities, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, Indian Nations and Tribes, and certain state agencies (with restrictions). Projects must take place within New York State and generally on public or publicly accessible lands. Applicants must demonstrate the technical capacity to complete the project, including hiring qualified professionals such as certified arborists or experienced forestry specialists. Nonprofits must be prequalified in the Statewide Financial System (SFS) prior to submission, and all applicants must register within the SFS portal to apply. The application process requires submission through the New York State SFS Grants Management system. Applicants must prepare a comprehensive work plan, budget, and supporting documentation, including project maps, cost estimates, and required certifications. The program includes strict eligibility and compliance requirements, such as adherence to state labor laws, environmental review processes, and certification policies related to workplace conduct. Applications are evaluated through a structured scoring system that considers project need, cost effectiveness, community engagement, long-term planning, and alignment with disadvantaged community priorities. The timeline for Round 17 begins with the application period opening on May 15, 2026, and closing on August 12, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. A webinar is scheduled for June 2, 2026, to provide guidance to applicants, and a question-and-answer period remains open until early August. Awards are anticipated to be announced in October 2026. Projects must be completed within a four-year contract period, during which recipients are required to submit quarterly progress and financial reports, as well as a final report detailing outcomes and deliverables. Evaluation of proposals follows a two-step process, beginning with eligibility screening and followed by detailed scoring based on criteria such as project design, community impact, and budget justification. Successful projects are those that demonstrate a clear understanding of local forestry needs, strong stakeholder engagement, and a sustainable plan for maintaining project outcomes beyond the grant period. Overall, this program represents a significant investment in strengthening urban forestry infrastructure and promoting environmental resilience across New York State.

Strong applications clearly demonstrate community need, detailed cost-effective budgets, and long-term maintenance planning; early consultation with DEC foresters is recommended; ensure all required documentation and certifications are completed before submission