The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering $900,000 in competitive grants for communities to plant trees, funded by the USDA Forest Service’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The IRA Iowa Tree Planting Grant, created to diversify urban canopies and enhance access to green spaces, offers reimbursable grants for tree purchases, mulching, staking, and supplemental watering. Eligible applicants include local government entities, volunteer groups, and service organizations focused on urban forestry, with funds allocated to projects on public property. Grants target communities with disadvantaged populations, providing environmental and energy-saving benefits while promoting community health. The two-year program covers tree planting in the spring and fall of 2025 and 2026. Grants range from $10,000 to $30,000, with applications due by Dec. 30, 2024. Recipients will be announced by Jan. 15, 2025. For more information on the application process, use the contact points included below.
_____
Chip Murrow: 515-822-1031
Laurie Dams: 515-782-6414
