January 12, 2023
By Emily Ball, Forestry Program Manager, WSB
What is new in 2023?
The MN Department of Natural Resources recently released a new grant application to help local governments fund emerald ash borer management in 2023. Each grant cycle is funded a bit differently, may include different eligible activities, and extra priority points on different factors. Occasionally match requirements are waived and the match amount required varies. If you represent a unit of local government OUTSIDE the Twin Cities, this is an excellent opportunity for you since this is the first grant cycle that is awarding priority points for those applicants outside the 7-County metropolitan area.
Who is Eligible?
- All units of local government (cities, counties, regional authorities, joint powers boards, towns, tribal
- Parks and recreation boards in cities of the first class (those with 100,000 residents or more)
What Activities Are Eligible?
- Public tree inventories
- Developing a management plan that includes Emerald Ash Borer as a component
- Tree and stump removal and replanting
- Tree Planting
What is the Timeline?
- February 13, 2023 – Application questions due
- February 27, 2023 – Applications due
- March 20, 2023, Project Selection, Grant Agreement Negotiation begins
- July 1, 2023, Work Plans Approved, Contracts Executed, Grant Funded Work begins
How will they Prioritize Funding?
In this grant cycle, priority points will be awarded to:
- Applicants outside the 7-County Twin Cities metropolitan area
- Communities who have staff, plan to certify their staff during the grant period, or who will contract with companies with staff with professional tree care credentials (MN Tree Inspector, International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist, WSB, etc.)
- Projects removing and replacing ash trees that pose significant public safety concerns
- Projects that benefit underserved populations and areas of concern for environmental justice (communities with higher populations of low-income residents, or people of color including tribal communities or both)
Funding Details
The DNR has a total of $315,000 available in general fund dollars to fund projects managing forest pest and disease with a priority given to EAB on public lands. There is no minimum to the dollar amount applicants can request. The maximum award that will be funded per site is $50,000.
Applicants must include a 25% match of total project funds. The match can be in-kind (such as staff time, to administer the grant, time spent doing removals by in-house crews, technology, equipment used), cash match (such as money spent on ash tree injections by a contractor, re-planting projects by a contractor, or a mix of both. For grantees who are awarded the full $50,000 the match would be approximately $16, 600.
Looking for more information?
For more information on how WSB can help you formulate a project plan and prepare a strong grant application, contact Emily Ball, Forestry Program Manager at 651-318-9945 or eball@wsbeng.com.
Emily is a ISA Certified Arborist, MN Tree Inspector that brings 20 years of experience, primarily in community forestry. She has extensive experience in contract administration, management of staff, AmeriCorps members and contractors, budget and grant management, plan review, tree health and condition inspections, outreach and education. She works closely with partner organizations, staff, and the community to educate, manage natural resources and provide excellent customer service.
[email protected] | 651.318.9945
