Agenda - Council - 08/25/2026 - Laserfiche WebLink

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DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES 2026 Protect Community Forests forestry. The following activities are eligible technical assistance components of the grant: o You will not have to budget (pay) for technical assistance through either of the following programs; if applying for assistance with tree plantings, you will need to purchase the trees for planting either through grant funds or through other means. The technical assistance programs below are supported through the LCCMR grant package separate from the competitive grant program and are provided for free to grant recipients. Note that snacks for volunteers are an ineligible expense and must be budgeted through non -grant funds. • Operational Assistance through Tree Trust: Tree Trust is uniquely suited to assist communities with the design, planning and management of community volunteer tree plantings. Tree Trust is able to supply the tools, technical assistance to support and empower your community's volunteers in creating a greener future. • Educational Assistance through the University of Minnesota's Tree Steward volunteer program: The Tree Steward Program is a community -based program where city/county staff or representatives will request Tree Steward training for community members to turn them into knowledgeable volunteers. This education allows the residents to get involved with caring for their community's urban and community forests as advanced volunteer stewards. Tree Steward volunteers can be trained in a wide array of topics related to trees based on the needs within your community. This education can include, but is not limited to, the following topics: • Properly planting trees and leading others at planting events • Properly pruning young trees to improve the overall health and structure • Pruning suckers and sprouts from young and mature trees to ensure safety and proper sightlines for the public • Watering devices available for use and the benefits of utilizing watering devices for young and newly planted trees • Installation of watering devices on public trees • Identification of common tree diseases and pests • How to identify trees of concern • How to report trees of concern to your community so action can be taken Eligible Project Expenses Eligible project expenses are those incurred through project activities directly related and necessary to achieve the outcomes described in the project application and that meet the conditions of the grant contract. Grant funds can be used for, but may not be limited to: • Professional contracts for technical assistance, resident education and engagement, or project implementation by individuals or organization not a part of a local government unit (including tree inventories, EAB management plans, tree removals and replanting, chemical treatment with injectable non-neonicotinoid insecticide, and tree planting). • Project -related materials may include, but are not limited to, tree stock, mulch, watering bags, staking materials, tree wrap or guards, shovels, printing, chemical for injectable non-neonicotinoid insecticide treatment (such as emamectin benzoate). • Equipment purchases of $4,999 or less that are used to complete the project. Multiple pieces of equipment, tools, or project supplies can be purchased with grant funds, but no one tool can have a unit cost of $5,000 or more, even if that cost is split across grant and match funds. • Equipment rental.