Purpose of Funding

To encourage, promote, and support the stewardship and effective management of trees and forest ecosystems in 55 preselected New Jersey communities through both technical and financial assistance to help establish, grow, and maintain a healthy urban and community forest. These 4-year grants are give communities the tools to start, plan, and advance a strong, self-sustainable forestry program that will enhance the quality of life for your citizens and all New Jerseyans.

Overview of Program:

Year 1: Complete a Forest Inventory

Year 1-2:Create or Improve Community Forestry Management Plan

Years 2-4: Perform Tree Maintenance and Hazard Tree Removals

Years 2-3.5: Create Tree Establishment Projects

Application

Urban and Community Forestry Leafing Out Grants-Management Application

Application Deadline 

April 5, 2024 at 5pm

Notification Date

May 1, 2024

Source of Funding

USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program through the Inflation Reduction Act

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

It will provide a maximum of $850,000 per funded municipality. Applicants for these four-year grants are expected to seek the full funding amount.

Ten (10) four-year grants are expected to be awarded through this RFP. Should additional funding become available, we may award more applications received in this round.

Advance payments will not be made. Unlike other NJUCF grants, you may be reimbursed for expenses as they occur. However, if your municipality receives a grant, you will only be reimbursed for expenses which are part of the approved grant project; invoices relating to the project must be paid in full by your municipality to be considered for reimbursement. Details regarding when and how reimbursements are issued will be detailed in your grant agreement.

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 

This is a competitive program. Applicants will be competing with the other 55 New Jersey municipalities that meet the New Jersey or federal OBC criteria for all census blocks.

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