Purpose of Funding

To provide technical and financial assistance to help preselected overburdened communities establish, grow, and maintain a healthy urban and community forest. These educational/training grants provide municipalities with funding for qualified forestry training/educational opportunities over a period of four years.

Application Deadline 

April 5, 2024 at 5pm

Notification Date

May 1, 2024

Source of Funding

U.S. Forest Service through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

Statutory Citation

New Jersey Shade Tree and Community Forestry Assistance Act (N.J.S.A. 13: 1L-17.1 to -17.9)

Who is Eligible

Preselected Overburdened Communities (OBCs), which are determined using the federal Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST mapping tool) and the percentage of land area that is considered an overburdened community according to the NJDEP Office of Environmental Justice. These grants are for communities whose census blocks are all considered to be OBCs by one or both of these tools.

Grant Limitations

A maximum of $12,500 (approximately $3,125 per year) is expected to be awarded per funded municipality. Applicants for these four-year grants are expected to seek the full funding amount. See further in this RFP for examples of educational activities.

Application Procedures

The application will be a fillable PDF, and you must supply any necessary supporting documentation, including a copy of the Certificate of Insurance (ACORD) form for your municipality for the current year.

Additional Information 

Each municipality that applies for this educational/training grant will be funded, provided its application is complete and received on time.

For More Information or to Complete an Application

NJDEP | Grants – Urban & Community Forestry Program | New Jersey Forest Service contact: Brian.McDonald@njdepwptest.net or Communityforestry@njdepwptest.net