Urban and Community Forestry Programs

Urban and Community Forestry Programs is sponsored by Delaware Department of Agriculture, Delaware Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program. These programs offer grants for tree projects on public land. Grants may require a 50-50 match in either cash (non-federal funds) or in-kind services, including volunteer or staff time, equipment rental, or supplies.

Urban and Community Forestry Urban & Community Forestry Urban & Community Forestry Home Resources for Communities For Tree Care Professionals Tree Recognition Programs Due to new federal guidelines, the grant application cycle has changed. Moving forward, applications will open on the first Friday in September and close on November 30th. For 2026, applications will open on September 4, 2026.

Trees provide people with many natural benefits: cleaner air and water, reduced storm-water runoff and soil erosion, and priceless natural beauty. Trees have been shown to improve property values and enhance community well-being. That’s why the Delaware Forest Service is committed to helping cities, towns, and neighborhoods throughout the state to improve their overall tree canopy through its annual urban and community forestry grants.

Urban and Community Grant Programs Delaware’s Urban and Community Forestry Programs offer grants for tree projects on public land. Grants are open to all Delaware municipalities, homeowner associations, and certified 501(c)(3) non-profits, including schools and churches. Grants may require a 50-50 match in either cash (non-federal funds) or in-kind services, which can include volunteer or staff time, equipment rental, or supplies.

Requests range from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $9,000 depending on the grant program. Applications are evaluated after the deadline by a committee of the Delaware Community Forestry Council . Eligible projects must be performed on public lands within the community.

Priority will be given to first-time applicants, Tree Friendly Communities , and projects with a focus on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Deadline to apply via the online application form is November 30, 2026 by 4:30 pm. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Sub-Grant for Disadvantaged Communities Tree projects such as: urban forest management planning, inventory, planting, pruning, hazardous removal, and more.

Project must be on public land or open space To see if your community is eligible, please refer to the guidelines.

EIN Number required – no payment to individuals U&CF Annual Grant Program - Tree Planting or Tree Management Matching grants from $500 up to $5,000 Requires a 50-50 match in cash (non-federal funds) or in-kind services One project in one category : tree planting or tree management (inventory/ pruning/ hazard tree removal) Project must be on public land or open space EIN Number required – no payment to individuals Site visit by urban forestry staff must take place before project submission Site visits requested at least a week ahead by using this link .

Appointments will be made on a first-come, first-serve basis. Final day to make an appointment will be November 9, 2026 . No site visits will be done after November 16, 2026 .

Hazardous Ash Tree Removal Sub-Grant New Castle County residents only Matching grants from $500 up to $9,000 Requires a 50-50 match in cash (non-federal funds) or in-kind service Requires 1:1 tree replacement with suitable tree species Project must be on public land or open space EIN Number required – no payment to individuals Site visit by urban forestry staff must take place before project submission (same as above) Appointments will be made on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Final day to make an appointment will be November 9, 2026 . No site visits will be done after November 16, 2026 .

Invasive Tree Species Removal & Management Sub-Grant Grants from $500 to $7,000 Project must be on public land or open space EIN Number required – no payment to individuals Site visit by urban forestry staff must take place before project submission (same as above) Appointments will be made on a first-come, first-serve basis. Final day to make an appointment will be November 9, 2026 .

No site visits will be done after November 16, 2026 .

Guidelines and Forms (recently updated, please read in it’s entirety) 2027 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Sub-Grant Guidelines (PDF) 2027 U&CF Annual Grant Guidelines 2027 Hazardous & Ash Removal Sub-Grant Guidelines 2027 Invasive Species Removal Sub-Grant Guidelines 2027 Volunteer In-Kind Tracker ( Excel ) Chesapeake Bay Tree Planting Grants The Delaware Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program also offer tree planting grants specifically to applicants in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed .

The Chesapeake Bay Watershed is the nation’s largest estuary and a priority for conservation and restoration efforts. The Chesapeake Bay Basin in Delaware includes 15 sub-watersheds located along the western part of the state. You can find out if your property is located in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed by using the Find Your Watershed Address tool below and entering your address in the search box to the upper right.

Click in the map area outside of the box and it will list the watershed and basin in which the property is located. The orange and peach color indicates the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Requirements for Chesapeake Tree Planting Grants Must be a municipality or certified 501(c)(3) organization based in the State of Delaware.

Common types include nonprofit religious, educational, charitable, scientific, or literary organizations. Must own land located in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed with a parcel registered in your organization’s name that appears on your county’s tax parcel list (must provide parcel number). Must provide a 50-50 cost-share match in either cash or in-kind services.

Sufficient volunteer hours for planning, organizing, and carrying out the project can meet this requirement without a need for cash. Be sure to check if your location is in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed by using the “ Find Your Watershed Address ” tool below.

Benefits of Chesapeake Planting Grants Grants can be a no-cost or low-cost way to beautify and enhance your community or your organization’s campus and grounds Tree planting projects can bring your community or organization together to benefit the environment Delaware Forest Service staff can offer assistance at every stage of the tree-planting project: Meet with applicants to discuss their project Identify a suitable site for the tree planting Select the best species for the particular location Help calculate volunteer hours and services for the match to reduce project costs If you think your town, church, or organization would benefit from a Chesapeake Bay Tree Planting Grant and you can meet the grant requirements for a 50-50 cost match (can be met by volunteer hours at no cost to your community or organization), then you are invited to contact the Delaware Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program.

You can apply by clicking on the application link below: Recommended Trees List 2024 (PDF) The First State Resource, Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council offers mini-grants up to $500 to further its mission to “Provide leadership, initiative, technical support, and direction in developing and carrying out a plan to assist individuals and communities in the conservation and enhancement of their human and natural resources” and to work towards our vision of “prosperous diverse communities effectively developing and conserving the human and natural resources of the First State RC&D Area.

” Examples of funded projects include urban farm and community or school garden initiatives, invasive species management, establishing or improving community recreational areas, establishing pollinator habitat, or installation of rain gardens. RC&D Mini-Grant Application Form If you have questions, comments, or need further assistance, please contact the Urban and Community Program Send E-mail .

The Urban and Community Forestry Tree Grant Dashboard page provides a visual overview of the history of Delaware’s tree grants. Since its inception, the grant program has awarded 588 grants totaling more than $2. 34 million—resulting in the planting of more than 26,000 trees.

Details include the locations and dates of specific grant projects by county, legislative map, or school district. In FY23, the Delaware Forest Service provided $192,870 for 48 projects throughout Delaware. The comprehensive database can list charts of the grants by year, county, and legislative district.

The map to the right of the dashboard also allows viewers to zoom in to various parts of the state and then view specific projects by clicking on the blue dot. Community forests are critical to our quality of life. Trees provide cleaner air and water, wildlife habitat, lower energy costs, natural beauty, and improved property values.

The Delaware Forest Service’s urban grant program is designed to help communities harness these many benefits. Tree projects can generate positive and lasting effects for years to come while also bringing residents and volunteers together to make their communities more livable and enjoyable.

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