Grant priorities include:

• Program Area 1. Mitigate Invasive Forest Insect and Disease Impacts

Projects in this category will implement targeted reforestation and forest protection actions to minimize invasive forest insect and disease impacts on watersheds. Successful applications will demonstrate how targeted restoration or protection of canopy cover benefits water quality, watershed processes, and/or priority habitats.

Projects receiving additional emphasis include those that minimize non-native invasive insect and disease impacts where tree damage and mortality pose a particularly high risk to hydrologic function and ecosystem integrity in a watershed or that increase environmental justice through integrated programs for non-native invasive insect and disease resilience, equitable environmental benefits, and improved quality of life for adjacent or downstream communities.

• Program Area 2. Reduce Runoff Through Green Infrastructure

Projects in this category will capture or treat stormwater runoff by planting trees and other vegetation as an integral component of green infrastructure. Under this program area, tree planting should be the main green infrastructure strategy used for a stormwater mitigation project. Examples of green infrastructure may include:

• • Urban street tree planting
  • Concentrated plantings in parks, nature preserves, or former agricultural land
  • Riparian buffers in developed areas
  • Mixed tree and other vegetation (e.g., prairie) plantings
  • Bioswales/rain gardens

Projects receiving additional emphasis include those that increase capacity, expertise, and engagement in maintaining community trees, particularly in underserved communities.

• Program Area 3. Restore and Connect Coastal and Riparian Forest Habitats

Projects in this category will protect, restore, and connect high-quality coastal and connecting ecosystems where trees are an important component. Examples of included habitats are coastal wetlands, drowned river mouths, dune and swale habitats, forested coastal buffers, and critical connecting riparian areas. Applications should highlight any geographical, hydrological, biological, or habitat-related connections of project areas to coastal wetlands. Projects focused only on non-native invasive species management as a restoration method and outcome will not be given priority for this program area.

Projects receiving additional emphasis include projects that address climate change impacts and account for future conditions under a changing climate (e.g., using climate-adapted species, identify sites that provide key habitat to mitigate climate change effects, etc.) or that address environmental justice through equitable access to natural areas, cultural resources, environmental benefits, and/or improved quality of life for adjacent or downstream communities.

Click on the next section to learn more about this funding opportunity’s eligibility requirements.

Requirements for this funding opportunity include:

• Projects must lie entirely within the Great Lakes watershed
• Projects generally must take place on nonfederal lands
• Ownership of the property where project activities will occur must be clear
• Applicants proposing projects involving insect and disease prevention, detection surveys, eradication, or suppression are required to develop applications in coordination with U.S. Forest Service and/or state agency forest health specialists
• Applicants are encouraged to work with their state forestry agency and research how their project fits into the goals and objectives of the state forest action plan
• Federal applicants are ineligible

To be successful, applications must conform to the authorities of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (as amended), specifically Sections 3. Rural Forestry Assistance; Section 5. Forest Stewardship; Section 8. Forest Health Protection; and Section 9. Urban and Community Forestry Assistance.

For a full list of minimum requirements, please refer to page 7 of the Request for Applications.

Click on the next section to learn more about the matching requirements for this funding opportunity.

Matching funds are not required for this program.

Click on the next section to learn more about the eligible costs for this funding opportunity.

Eligible costs include:

• Planting trees to mitigate adverse insect/disease effects
• Urban street tree planting
• Third-party detection surveys, monitoring, evaluations, prevention, and suppression of insect and disease outbreaks on federal land
• Riparian buffers in developed areas
• Protecting or restoring forested riparian buffers that provide connectivity and enhance habitat in rural or agricultural areas
• Supporting or undertaking invasive species outreach and education to increase awareness and prevent spread
• Increasing environmental justice through integrated programs for non-native invasive insect and disease resilience, equitable environmental benefits, and improved quality of life for adjacent or downstream communities
• Mixed tree and other vegetation (e.g., prairie) plantings
• Bioswales/rain gardens
• Address environmental justice through equitable access to natural areas, cultural resources, environmental benefits, and/or improved quality of life for adjacent or downstream communities

Ineligible costs include:

• Basic research
• Construction and capital improvements
• Projects that only have outreach and education as outcomes
• Projects that only have surveying or mapping as outcomes
• Cost share, reimbursement, and other types of payment provided directly to private landowners
• Projects focused on tree removal

For more complete information, please refer to page 3 of the Request for Applications.

Click on the next section to learn more about this funding opportunity’s project timeline.

Projects must be completed within two years of the award date. It may take up to six months from project selection for award recipients to receive funds.

Click on the next section for this funding opportunity’s application deadline and forms.

Applications must be submitted by 6:00 p.m. ET on September 18, 2024.

Prior to submitting an application, applications are encouraged to consult with their appropriate state forester, tribal administrator, or forest supervisor to develop and submit the application. Applications must be submitted online through Grants.gov (Grant Opportunity Number USDA-FS-GLRI-FR24). Applicants must obtain a UEI number and SAM registration status.

Click on the next section to access the Contact Information for this funding opportunity.

For the primary contact for this grant, please contact:
Erin Barton, Eastern Region GLRI Coordinator
Phone: (612) 476-5849

For the general program staff, please email:
General Program Staff

For the IL, IN, MI, MN, and WI Field Office Staff, please contact:
Gina Jorgensen, St. Paul Field Office Representative
Phone: (651) 649-5276

For the Program Area 1 Midwest States Staff, please contact:
James Jacobs, USDA Forest Service
Phone: (651) 649-5266

For Grants.gov assistance, please contact:
Customer Support
Phone: (800) 518-4726