The Minnesota Legislature allocated $7 million to the ReLeaf program to improve community forest health.
Funding can support tree inventory, planting, assessment, maintenance, improvement, protection, and restoration. This year, wood utilization projects are also eligible.
The maximum grant request is $500,000, and no match is required.
Eligible activities
- Community forestry work conducted 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 (PDF) on staff, Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) accreditation, or equivalent qualification)
- Work conducted by staff or contractors
- Tree inventories
- Developing a management plan, which can include but is not limited to a forestry-related climate adaption plan, all lands management plan, or emerald ash borer management plan. Incorporation of environmental justice components and wood utilization components into management plans is encouraged.
- Tree and stump removal and tree replacement
- Tree planting for diversity
- Chemical treatment of ash trees with an injectable non-neonicotinoid insecticide (e.g. emamectin benzoate) if it provides long-term impact or seed funds an intended long-term program in communities up to 10 miles outside of generally infested areas across Minnesota (please see online guidance for more information)
- Gravel bed construction and maintenance
- Developing a tree ordinance
- Tree cabling, if a long-term evaluation plan is included
- Maintenance pruning
- Development, purchase, or printing of materials used to educate, engage, and conduct outreach to residents about urban and community forestry
- Urban and community forestry or arboriculture education and outreach
- Professional certifications and/or training related to the proposed project
- Wood utilization
- Additional plant healthcare treatments, as approved
Due: November 11, 2025