Tree Planting Grants
Tree Planting Grants support Iowa communities and schools with tree planting, urban forest planning and care, education, and workforce development to improve tree health and expand canopy cover.
Funder: Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Due Dates: August 17, 2026, at 4 p.m. (Urban Forestry Development) | January 8, 2027, at 4 p.m. (Trees for Kids)
Funding Amounts: Urban Forestry Development: $10,000–$50,000, $1.5 million available, two-year reimbursable grants with no match; Trees for Kids: up to $2,500 per project
Summary: Iowa DNR supports community and school tree planting, urban forest planning, tree care, education, and workforce development across Iowa.
Key Information: Urban Forestry Development eligibility must be confirmed through the community assessment tool; research is ineligible.
Description
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources offers tree planting and urban forestry grants for communities and schools across Iowa. Trees for Kids educates K–12 and college students through tree planting events at schools and on public land. The IRA Iowa Tree Planting Grant supports planting in public spaces, while IRA Trees for Schools supports school tree planting.
The Urban Forestry Development Grant, funded through the USDA Forest Service’s Inflation Reduction Act program, supports local urban forestry needs that may otherwise lack local funding. Its goals include improving tree health and protections, increasing canopy cover, and advancing environmental and health benefits. Projects can improve management, care, and public engagement with trees in parks, natural areas, and public rights-of-way through planning, training, education, staffing, planting, and resource management.
