Minnesota DNR awards $5 million for community tree planting

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has awarded nearly $5 million in Community Tree Planting Grants to 33 communities across the state. Funded by the Minnesota State Legislature, the initiative aims to increase urban forest diversity by replacing damaged or dying trees with new ones.

Through this funding, more than 6,000 trees will be planted or replaced throughout Minnesota. Specific recipients include Monticello, which will receive $250,000, and St. Cloud, which will receive $119,253. The program is noted as one of the largest urban and community forestry funding opportunities ever offered by the DNR.

A separate grant opportunity, the Protect Community Forestry for Community Resilience Grant, is currently open for applications through September 14. This grant, funded by the Minnesota Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund, offers up to $150,000 with no match required to tribal and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions.