Met Council Community Tree Planting Grants

Met Council Community Tree Planting Grants is sponsored by Metropolitan Council. Provides funding for tree planting projects on public land in the Twin Cities region, focusing on environmental benefits and community engagement.

Community Tree Planting Grants - Metropolitan Council Metropolitan Council - metrocouncil. org Community Tree Planting Grants The Community Tree Planting Grants provide funding to cities, townships, counties, and regional park implementing agencies for projects that improve the region’s tree canopy, as established in Minn. Stat.

§ 473. 355. The purpose of this program is to support a healthy tree canopy in the region by: Removing and planting shade trees on public land to provide environmental benefits.

Replacing trees lost to forest pests, disease, or storms. Establishing a more diverse community forest, better able to withstand disease and forest pests.

Grants Administration and Reporting After grants are awarded, the grants administration team is here to help grantees: to execute the grant agreement request reimbursement claims submit semi-annual project status reports discuss project changes, and when needed, process grant amendments close out the grant, and provide evidence of deliverables.

All grantees will be responsible for submitting evidence of expenses toward the project and documenting actions and deliverables throughout. This will be done in the form of reimbursement claims, semi-annual reports, and grant close-out reporting. Council staff will reach out to schedule an orientation meeting after grants have been awarded.

Grant Administration Resources Submit a Reimbursement Request in WebGrants The Community Tree Planting Grant Administration Guide will outline the requirements for each step of this process.

Designation of Signing Authority (DSA) Form Payment Request Form can be obtained by contacting the grant administrator (below) Semi-annual Report Form is accessible through WebGrants Closeout Forms will be provided at a later date For questions about reimbursement and reporting or to discuss changes to your project, contact Erin Brueggemann ( Erin. Brueggemann@ metc. state.

mn. us ). The Scoring Factors Map is designed to help you identify tree planting projects that would address the priorities and criteria of this program.

The map includes: Highlighted census blocks that meet the community vulnerability program priority. Applications that focus on census block groups with high community vulnerability (defined as being in the 70 th percentile or higher on the Environmental Justice Screening Tool Supplemental Demographic Index) will be prioritized in review order and receive points through the evaluation criteria (see Criteria and Scoring Explanation ).

Highlighted census blocks that meet the extreme heat standard used in evaluation criteria. Applications that focus on census block groups with residents experiencing extreme heat (defined as being in the 70 th percentile or higher for land surface temperature in the region) will receive points through the evaluation criteria. It is possible that funds will be depleted funding applications in tier 1 or early in tier 2.

Applicants are encouraged to focus projects on activities that meet both priorities (ash and SDI). Learn more about the Scoring Factors Map and making your Project Map and Site Spreadsheet in the Project Map and Site Guidance (PDF) . You can also watch this demo on how to create your Project Map and your Site Spreadsheet.

State law set the following priorities for the program: Projects removing and replacing ash trees that pose significant public safety concerns. Projects located in a census block group with a supplemental demographic index score in the 70th percentile or higher within Minnesota. Projects addressing both priorities are more likely to be funded.

$3. 4 million is available in 2026 with an award minimum of $10,000 and maximum of $500,000. Applicants are limited to one application.

Find further details about eligible activities, grant expectations, funding priorities, and evaluation criteria in the Notice of Funding Availability (PDF) . September 10 – Application opens Webinar dates – to be announced October 22 – Application closes at 3:00 p. m.

Late fall – Application review and selection Late 2026/early 2027 – Met Council approval and grant agreements Community Tree Planting Grant Program Manager