CT Grant Program Aims To Expand Tree Cover, Improve Urban Forests

by Staff Report

HARTFORD, CT — The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is introducing two grant programs aimed at expanding tree canopy cover and improving the health and resilience of Connecticut’s urban and community forests.

Together, these federally-funded programs, administered by DEEP’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, will help municipalities address tree canopy loss caused by pests and diseases while supporting resilient forestry practices in municipally and tribally owned forest, according to the department.

Healthy forests play an important role in improving air and water quality, reducing urban heat, managing stormwater, supporting wildlife habitat, and providing recreational and economic benefits. However, forests across Connecticut are increasingly threatened by invasive pests and diseases, severe weather events, and other environmental stressors that contribute to canopy loss and declining forest health, the department said. 

The Urban Forest Resilience Grant Program will provide $230,000 of funding to help municipalities remove dead, hazardous, or declining trees and plant new trees at a ratio of two trees planted for every one tree removed. The program is intended to restore canopy cover, improve species diversity, and support long-term forest health. Projects funded through the program are designed to achieve measurable canopy gains, particularly in communities with low tree cover, while also improving public safety

 Funding for this program is provided by a State Urban Forest Resilience (SUFR) grant provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service.

The second grant is the Resilient Forestry Practices Grant Program. It will provide $1 million of funding to support rural municipalities and federally recognized tribes in implementing forestry practices that improve the health and resilience of municipally and tribally owned woodlands. This program emphasizes proactive forest management practices that address pests, invasive species, and climate-related stressors. Funding for this program is provided by the USDA Forest Service via the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

Connecticut committed to increasing tree cover in low-canopy communities through Public Act 23-206,  so that all residents can benefit from the important services trees provide, including heat reduction, stormwater management, and improved public health outcomes.

“Whether in our urban neighborhoods or rural communities, healthy forests provide essential benefits that improve quality of life and strengthen climate resilience,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “These investments will ensure that current and future generations can continue to benefit from cleaner air and water, healthier ecosystems and access to the natural resources that make our state a great place to live, work, and play.”

Chris Martin, director of DEEP’s Forestry Division, said the programs help address to major challenges: the cost of removing hazardous trees and the limited funding for managing municipally and tribally owned forest.

“By supporting both forest restoration and long-term management, we are helping communities create healthier, more resilient forests that provide lasting environmental and public benefits,” he said.

The department is encouraging eligible municipalities and tribes to apply for these funding opportunities. While future federal funding opportunities for urban and community forestry are not anticipated in the near term, these grant rounds provide a valuable opportunity for communities to advance local forestry goals and deliver lasting environmental, public health, and climate resilience benefits.

Since 2024, DEEP’s Urban and Community Forestry Program has sub-awarded over $2.4 million to support 35 projects in 25 municipalities.

Additional information on these and other Urban and Community Forestry programs is available on DEEP’s Urban Forestry Grant Opportunities webpage.