Infrastructure funds available for derecho recovery tree planting

The Iowa Legislature appropriated state infrastructure funds to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to be used for a community-based tree planting program for recovery from the 2020 derecho.

The Community Forestry Grant Program provides reimbursable grants to purchase and plant trees suitable to Iowa in counties included in the 2020 Governor’s disaster proclamation, including Benton, Iowa and Poweshiek Counties.

A total of $250,000 in funds are available to state and local governments, schools and volunteer organizations, and service organizations in the 27 impacted counties.

Award recipients will be reimbursed $500 to $5,000 and are required to provide a dollar-for-dollar cash match for purchase of trees and planting materials.

Qualifying public planting lands include street rights-of-way, parks, school grounds, courthouse lawns, public buildings, fairgrounds, cemeteries, libraries and trails.

DNR lands are not eligible.

The spring application and rules are available online at iowadnr.gov/urbanforestry. Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. March 1.