About the healthy tree canopy grants
Hennepin County has grants available to cities, affordable housing properties, schools, and non-profit organizations to enhance the county’s tree canopy.
The goals of the program are to combat threats to trees from invasive insects and disease by funding tree planting, educate the public on tree care and the importance of trees, and increase the diversity and resiliency of the tree canopy.
Types of grants available
Different types of grants are available to cities, affordable housing properties, and schools and non-profit organizations.
See the healthy tree canopy grants flyer (PDF) to learn more about the difference between the grant types.
Cities
For cities with no tree inventory or an incomplete tree inventory:
- Grants are only to complete tree inventories.
- Grants of $1,000 to $5,000 are available, and a 25% match is required.
For cities that have a completed tree inventory and a have a MN DNR certified tree inspector or an ISA-certified arborist under contract for the proposed grant project:
- Grants are to implement tree plantings, maintain newly planted trees, remove and replace ash trees, conduct outreach, develop gravel-bed nurseries and develop tree management plans.
- Grants of $10,000 to $50,000 are available, and a 25% match is required.
See the 2019 healthy tree canopy grant guidelines for cities (PDF) for more information.
Affordable housing
Grants are for ash tree removals and planting replacement trees on affordable housing properties.
Grants are available to new and existing affordable housing properties. Eligible applicants include owners and managers of existing affordable multifamily housing, developers of new affordable multifamily housing, and affordable housing land trusts.
Grants of a minimum of $5,000 up to a maximum of $20,000 are available. A 25% match of the granted amount is required.
See the 2019 healthy tree canopy grant guidelines for affordable housing properties (PDF) for more information.
Schools and nonprofit organizations
Grants are for tree plantings on school or community properties, tree-related education, tree inventories, ash tree removals, and Arbor Day celebrations.
Eligible applications include charter, private, and public schools in Hennepin County. Eligible applicants include administrators, teachers, principals, and facility managers of existing schools. Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations are also eligible to apply.
Grants of a minimum of $1,000 up to a maximum of $10,000 are available. A 25% match is required for ash tree removals. No match required for other expenses.
See the 2019 healthy tree canopy grant guidelines for schools and nonprofit organizations (PDF) for more information.
How to apply
Applications for 2020 healthy tree canopy grants will be accepted in the spring.
Contact us for help with your grant project
Hennepin County foresters are available to help you develop projects and answer any questions related to the grant and application process. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the forestry team at trees@hennepin.us before applying.
Helpful grant resources
The following resources will be helpful in completing your grant application.
Tree planting priority areas map
The county’s tree planting priorities map factors in both environmental and demographic data. The map uses land cover data and disparity data such as income, housing, and health to understand areas that have lower tree canopy and higher need.
Grant selection will be based, in part, on a comparison of the project locations with the identified priority planting areas.
- Access the online interactive map.
- View a printout of the map (PDF).
- Review the methodology for the map (PDF).
Recommended tree list
Use the county's recommended tree list (XLSX) when developing a planting plan.
The list includes a list of species and notes about their suitability for planting in various locations. A do-not-plant list is also included.
Grant program updates
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