Eligible Entities 

• Municipalities as defined in 1 V.S.A. § 126  (Cities, Towns, Fire Districts, Incorporated Villages, and Union Municipal Districts)
• Regional Planning Commissions (RPCs)* in coordination with member municipalities
• Registered Non-Profit Entities (including Public Educational Institutions)

*Regional Planning Commissions may serve as agent for one or more of their member municipalities. 

Regional Planning Commission as Agent

RPCs may serve as grant administrator and fiscal agent for one or more of their member municipalities. This means that the municipality would design & oversee the project, while the RPC would prepare the grant application, hold the grant contract, receive and spend grant funds, manage contractor procurement, and submit invoices & reports. Find your RPC here. 

Eligible Projects 

Projects must include tree planting activities in Vermont at the following locations: 

• Within public ways and places as defined in 24 V.S.A. § 2501a; 
  • “Public place” means municipal property, including a municipal park, a recreation area, or a municipal building. “Public place” shall not include any municipal forestland or property that is subject to any ownership interest held by the Agency of Transportation. 
  • “Public way” means a right-of-way held by a municipality, including a town highway.
• Within State of Vermont highway rights-of-way, provided a section 1111 permit is in place or in process. Learn more about planting trees in the State ROW. The 1111 permit is free, and it is not required at the time of application but must be in place before planting in the State ROW.
• At public educational institutions;
• On properties owned by registered non-profit entities;
• On private property provided an approved agreement is in place between an eligible subgrantee and the private property owner.

• Costs of trees to be planted, including delivery. 
• Staff salaries and contracted services associated directly with tree planting activities (no more than 10% administrative costs). 
• Preparation of tree planting areas or supporting the growing environment of a tree or group of trees, including those grown in a municipal or community tree nursery; this includes soil, approved soil amendments, tree protection, irrigation, and removal of impervious surface.   
• Supplies and materials to ensure successful establishment of planted trees, including watering bags or tanks, mulch, staking materials, and tree protection. 
• Cost of associated services, supplies, or facilities used for the project. 
• Costs of public outreach and engagement, up to 5% of project budget.

Technical Assistance

VT UCF will be providing direct technical assistance to applicants and grant award winners. Technical assistance may include support regarding: 

• Project design and application development 
• Tree planting site assessment, including soil volume and soil condition  
• Selection of tree species  
• Sourcing trees 
• Tree planting demonstration or assistance 
• Tree care, including proper mulching, staking, and pruning of newly planted trees 
• Trainings for municipal staff or community volunteers 
• Tree equity considerations  

Timeline

• Round 1
• April 1, 2024: Applications Open
• April 19, 2024: Deadline to submit questions for Q&A
• May 1, 2024: Suggested deadline to coordinate with RPCs if serving as agent
• May 17, 2024: Applications Due
• June 2024: Grant Awards Announced
• July 2024: Award Contracts Finalized
• December 2025: Grant Closeout (may be extended upon request)
• Round 2
• November 1, 2024: Applications Open
• November 22, 2024: Deadline to submit questions for Q&A
• December 31, 2024: Suggested deadline to coordinate with RPCs if serving as agent
• January 17, 2025: Applications Due
• February 2025: Grant Awards Announced
• March 2025: Award Contracts Finalized
• July 2026: Grant Closeout (no extensions available for this grant round)

Application Materials