Delaware Urban and Community Forestry Program

Delaware's Urban and Community Forestry Program, run by the Delaware Forest Service within the Delaware Department of Agriculture, offers annual grants to help cities, towns, and neighborhoods improve their tree canopy through tree projects on public land. It provides financial and technical assistance for tree planting and management, and Forest Service staff can assist at every stage — identifying a suitable site, selecting species, and calculating volunteer hours toward the match. Several grant categories are offered: the U&CF Annual Grant (tree planting or tree management — inventory, pruning, or hazard-tree removal); an Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) sub-grant for disadvantaged communities; a Hazardous & Ash Tree Removal sub-grant (requiring 1:1 tree replacement); an Invasive Tree Species Removal & Management sub-grant; and Chesapeake Bay Watershed tree-planting grants for Delaware's 15 Chesapeake sub-watersheds.

Grants are open to all Delaware municipalities, homeowner associations, and certified 501(c)(3) nonprofits, including schools and churches. Eligible projects must be performed on public land or open space within the community. Each U&CF Annual Grant applicant may submit one project in one category (tree planting or tree management). Priority is given to first-time applicants, designated Tree Friendly Communities, and projects that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. Chesapeake Bay Watershed tree-planting grants require the applicant to be a Delaware municipality or 501(c)(3) organization within the Chesapeake Basin.

Grant requests range from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $9,000, depending on the specific grant program. Grants require a 50-50 match in either cash (non-federal funds) or in-kind services (volunteer or staff time, equipment rental, or supplies) — sufficient volunteer hours can meet the match without cash. The Hazardous & Ash Removal sub-grant requires 1:1 tree replacement with a suitable species. Reimbursement is via the state; recipients complete a W-9 before payment.

Apply through the online application form on the Delaware Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry funding-opportunities page. The 2027 grant cycle is open, with a deadline of November 30, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. Applications are evaluated after the deadline by a committee of the Delaware Community Forestry Council. Delaware Forest Service staff (dda-urbanforestry@delaware.gov) can help identify a site, select species, and calculate volunteer hours toward the match. Grant recipients must complete an online W-9 before receiving payment.