2019 Wisconsin RPCs and DNR 2018 Great Lakes Basin Tree Planting Grant Program

The Wisconsin RPCs and DNR 2018 Great Lakes Basin Tree Planting Grant Program will fund county, municipal, and tribal projects to plant trees within the Wisconsin Great Lakes Basin. The program aims to mitigate the impacts of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and reduce runoff in urban communities.

The funding is made available through two FY2018 U.S. Forest Service Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) grant received by the Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission earlier this year. For more information, see the Application Guide [PDF] and Grant Application [PDF fillable form] (Note: You must download the fillable form to your computer. It will not work if you are filling it out in your internet browser.)

  • Awards will range from $1,000 to $20,000 and will require a 25% match (total project cost range is $1,250 to $25,000 and the match may be cash or in-kind). A total of just over $120,000 is available.
  • Only one Great Lakes Basin Tree Planting grant may be awarded to an applicant per year.
  • Applications are due by 4:00 PM on September 10, 2018.
  • All applicants will be notified by October 9, 2018 regarding funding. Projects can begin upon notification of funding and must be completed by November 9, 2019.

Who May Apply

  • Cities, villages, towns, counties, and tribes who meet the following conditions may apply:
  • Prospective applicants may contact Angela Kowalzek-Adrians at Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission for guidance on assessing eligibility: angelaka@baylakerpc.org or (920) 448-2820.

Eligible Projects

An eligible project includes tree plantings (1 to 2.5-inch diameter trees) within Wisconsin counties, cities, village, towns, or tribes within the Great Lakes Basin (see Attachment A [PDF]). The planting of native trees are encouraged, where appropriate. Planting maples, ash, Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana), and Scotch pine will not be funded.

Grant Program Focus (Extra Points)

Of the eligible projects, this program will particularly be targeting projects in watersheds with surface water quality concerns (see Attachment B: DNR Targeted Watersheds [PDF]), on tribal lands, within communities that are members of a regional planning commission (see Attachment C: RPC Membership [PDF]), within areas of concern (AOCs) for beneficial use impairments (see Attachment D: AOCs [PDF]), and within a Tree City USA community.

Ineligible Projects

The following project are ineligible:

  • Tree removals.
  • Pesticide treatments.
  • Ash, maple, Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana), or Scotch pine plantings.
  • Planting of trees smaller than 1 inch or larger than 2.5 inches in diameter.
  • Construction projects, land clearing, or stump removal.
  • Land or boundary surveys or title search, appraisal, sale, or exchange of real property.
  • Plans, studies, or educational outreach.

Eligible Costs

Eligible costs are those costs directly related to the completion of a tree planting project and that were incurred during the project period. Costs will be reimbursed quarterly and must be documented, reasonable and consistent with the project scope, and include contractor invoices, if applicable. Examples include the cost of purchased services, supplies, equipment use, product, or facilities used on the project (such as trees or staking materials). County/municipal/tribal employees' salary or fringe, or municipal/county/tribal equipment or facilities may not be included as eligible costs. These items may serve as match.

Trees must be 1 to 2.5 inches in diameter. The funding will not cover the planting of ash, maples, Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana), or Scotch pine.

Eligible Match

  • An eligible 25% match includes cash or in-kind services provided for the project and that have occurred during the project period. Costs must be documented, reasonable, and consistent with the project scope.
  • In-kind costs can include county/municipal/tribal employee salaries or fringe benefits for time needed for completing the project and incurred during the project period. Fringe benefit rates are capped at 48.07%. In-kind costs can include volunteer time at $15/hour.
  • Eligible match activities include costs associated with ash tree removals, purchased/contracted services, equipment use, supplies, or facilities used on the project (such as trees or pesticides). Costs for equipment use are capped at the DOT equipment rates (see Attachment E: DOT Equipment Rates [PDF]) or local rates, whichever are lower.

How to Apply

  • Complete the grant application form [PDF].  The form is electronically fillable, printable, and can be saved. This allows the application to be submitted via e-mail. (Note: You must download the fillable form to your computer. It will not work if you are filling it out in your internet browser)
  • Submit the application by e-mail by 4:00 PM on Monday, September 10, 2018. (If mailed, it must be postmarked no later than September 10, 2018).
  • Adopt a resolution from your governing body designating a representative to submit the application and handle all grant actions on behalf of the applicant (Attachment F: Sample Resolution [Word]). This can take several weeks; please plan accordingly. The applicant must submit the resolution by September 29, 2018 via e-mail (preferred) or mail. 
  • Any resolution received after September 29, 2018 will not be considered and the associated application will be considered incomplete and void.
  • If you applied to the 2018 program and secured a resolution at that time, you may use the same resolution for this application.
How to Submit Application

Electronic submission (PREFERRED):

  1. Save the completed grant application form [PDF] to your computer.
  2. Attach it to your e-mail.
  3. Include your community/tribe name in the subject along with "tree grant application." [Example: City of Treeville Tree Grant Application]
  4. Send it to angelaka@baylakerpc.org.

OR Mail hard copies to:

BAY-LAKE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION
ANGELA KOWALZEK-ADRIANS
425 S ADAMS ST STE 201
GREEN BAY, WI  54301

Electronic submissions must be received, OR hardcopies postmarked by 4:00 PM, september 10, 2018

Grant Materials for Download

2019 Grant Application [PDF fillable form] (Note: You must download the fillable form to your computer. It will not work if you are filling it out in your internet browser)

Grant Application Guide [PDF]

Attachment A. Eligible Communities [PDF]

Attachment B. Targeted Watersheds [PDF]

Attachment C. RPC Membership [PDF]

Attachment D. AOC Communities [PDF]

Attachment E. DOT Equipment Rates [PDF]

Attachment F. Sample Resolution [Word]

This funding is made available through a FY2018 U.S. Forest Service Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) grant received by the Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission under grant agreement 18-DG-11420004-008 and 18-DG-11420004-009.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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