MT Urban and Community Forestry: Program Development Grants

The Montana Urban and Community Forestry program offers grants aimed at enhancing community forests' health. These grants support local governments in developing urban forestry programs through various projects such as tree inventory, urban forest management plans, and strategic tree planting. Eligible applicants include cities, counties, non-profits, and tribal governments in Montana. The program encourages innovative projects that promote biodiversity, climate change education, and workforce development, ensuring sustainable urban forestry practices.

The Urban & Community Forestry program offers grants to improve the health of community forests.
Grants providing local governments funds to build and develop their urban forestry programs. Projects tie into a yearly theme. Past projects include tree inventory, Urban Forest Management Plan, green infrastructure work, strategic tree planting and care, or best practices and education.
The Montana Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) program is administered by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) and Montana Urban and Community Forestry Association (MUCFA).
Projects may include
Human and Community HealthBiodiversity, Urban Forest ResilienceCanopy cover; ecosystem benefitsEmerald Ash BorerClimate change; educationWorkforce development Inventory and management plansHazardous tree removal and replacement

Eligibility

Eligible applicants: Montana cities, towns, counties, universities, non-profits and tribal governments interested in conducting innovative projects in urban forestry. Projects may include tree inventories, development of an urban forest management plan, or urban forestry public awareness efforts. Reimbursable expenses may include: Personnel Expenses - Cost of hiring seasonal employees or special staff to carry out the project.Operating Expenditures - Cost of purchasing appropriate supplies and materials to complete the project.Examples include trees, planting supplies, equipment rental, media (public service announcements), printing, or educational elements related to urban forestry (such as workshops, speaker costs, educational publications or facility fees).Contracted Professional Services - Costs related to hiring a consultant or contractor (arboriculture, forestry, landscape design, planning) or other professional for this project.Indirect Costs – An organization’s Indirect Rate for administration and expenses not directly allocable to the grant – like electricity and insurance – multiplied by the project funding.You may choose to waive indirect costs; if so, please indicate such in the project proposal.Matching Funds: There is a 1:1 (100%) match required from applicant.

Ineligibility

Non-reimbursable expenses:

• Capital assets - Examples of capital outlay are large equipment (bucket truck) and some types of hardscaping.

Irrigation - No more than 30% of the total grant amount awarded may be used for irrigation (i.e. max reimbursement for irrigation portion of a $10,000 grant is $3,000).
Other – Some examples include food, entertainment. Please review the subaward manual, p.7 for more guidance (link provided below).