Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 08/17/2026

Home

M1DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES 2026 Protect Community Forests Grant Overview The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) welcomes applications from Tribal governments, local units of government, nonprofit organizations, and schools within Minnesota that will reduce the impacts of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) through tree management and maintenance, and education and engagement efforts, that enhance community forest health and resilience. The following pages provide detailed information about Protect Community Forests for Community Resiliency eligibility, available funding, application, and award process. Please review all the information before developing and submitting an application. Funding A total of $1,703,800 is available to fund projects that manage and/or reduce the impacts of EAB through forestry activities on public non -State lands and residential land for low-income residents. Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative -Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). There is no minimum to the dollar amount applicants can request. The maximum amount that will be funded per applicant is $150,000. No matching funds are required and match as part of your application is not recommended. If match is provided, it cannot come from other grants or monies from the State of Minnesota. Eligible Applicants Nonprofit organizations with 501(c) status, schools, and local units of government within Minnesota, including cities, counties, regional authorities, joint powers boards, towns, soil and water conservation districts, and Tribal governments. Parks and recreation boards in cities of the first class are also eligible to apply. Eligible Activities Eligible activities may take place on lands permanently protected by a conservation easement or public ownership, and on private, low-income unprotected lands; all private low-income unprotected lands work will adhere to the "Residential Tree Care Requirements". The following activities are eligible for grant funding: • Conducting community forestry work on non -State public land, or on residential land for low-income residents (work on residential land must be conducted by companies or organizations with an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist on staff, Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) accreditation, or equivalent qualification). • Conducting a tree inventory. • Developing an Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan or a plan that includes an EAB component. Local units of government must adopt a management plan if they do not have one in place already. Incorporation of environmental justice components into management plans is encouraged. • Removing and replacing ash or high -risk unsafe trees. • Planting trees for diversity. • Constructing and maintaining gravel beds. • Chemically treating of ash trees with an injectable non-neonicotinoid insecticide (i.e., emamectin benzoate) in communities within or up to 10 miles outside of generally infested areas (refer to the EAB Generally Infested Areas Buffered by 10 Miles map for more information). • Maintaining existing canopy, including needed pruning or watering establishment. • Educating and engaging residents. • Developing, purchasing, or printing educational and outreach materials to engage residents in urban and community 2026