Urban Forestry Plans and Studies Grant (Canada)

The Urban Forestry Plans and Studies Grant supports Canadian communities in developing strategic urban forest management plans to enhance climate action, resilience, and carbon sequestration. Grants cover up to $175,000 per project, with higher cost shares for small, northern, remote, and Indigenous communities, enabling sustainable tree planting and urban forestry initiatives.

Overview of the Grant

The Urban Forestry Plans and Studies Grant is part of Canada’s Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative under the Green Municipal Fund. The program helps municipalities plan, manage, and steward urban forests to maximize climate, environmental, social, and economic benefits.

The grant supports:

• Strategic urban forest planning and data-driven management

• Enhancing municipal capacity for tree planting and urban forest stewardship

• Promoting climate resilience and carbon sequestration

• Ensuring equitable distribution of urban forests for community benefit

• Developing tools, strategies, and studies for long-term sustainability

The program aims to plant at least 1.2 million new trees by March 31, 2031, contributing to nature-based climate solutions across Canada.

Key Objectives

• Increase tree canopy coverage and forest resilience in urban areas

• Deliver measurable climate outcomes and enhance community well-being

• Strengthen municipal capacity for long-term forest management

• Promote data-driven decision-making in urban forestry

• Support inclusive and equitable forest planning, especially in Indigenous and remote communities

Funding Details

• Grant coverage: Up to 80% of eligible project costs

• Maximum grant amount: $175,000

• Enhanced cost share:

  • 90% for municipalities under 10,000 population or northern/remote communities

  • 100% for Indigenous communities or partnerships with Indigenous communities

Who is Eligible?

• Canadian municipalities and local governments

• Northern, remote, and smaller municipalities receive higher funding percentages

• Indigenous communities, or municipalities partnering with Indigenous communities

• Municipalities that have not previously received funding through this specific Urban Forestry Plans and Studies stream

Restrictions

• Each municipality or participating lead may submit only one grant application under this funding stream.

• Previous recipients of this specific funding stream are not eligible to apply again.

How to Apply

1. Assess eligibility: Confirm municipal population, community type, and prior participation in the funding stream.

2. Develop a project plan: Focus on strategic urban forest management, tree planting, and measurable climate outcomes.

3. Prepare supporting materials: Include data, sustainability plans, and projected environmental and social benefits.

4. Submit application through the Green Municipal Fund portal.

5. Implement funded plans upon approval, using tools and guidance provided to ensure long-term sustainability.

Why It Matters

• Strengthens urban forests to mitigate climate change impacts

• Enhances community resilience and well-being through green infrastructure

• Provides long-term environmental, social, and economic benefits

• Builds municipal capacity for data-driven urban forestry decisions

• Contributes to Canada’s broader nature-based climate solutions goals

Common Tips

• Emphasize data-backed planning and measurable climate outcomes.

• Highlight community engagement and inclusivity, especially Indigenous participation.

• Focus on long-term sustainability and replicability of your urban forestry plan.

• Ensure the application addresses municipal capacity building and future tree planting strategies.

FAQs

1. Who can apply for this grant? Canadian municipalities, Indigenous communities, or local governments partnering with Indigenous communities.
2. What is the maximum grant amount? $175,000 per project.
3. How much of the project cost does the grant cover? Up to 80%, with 90% or 100% for eligible small, northern, remote, or Indigenous communities.
4. Can a municipality apply more than once? No, each municipality or participating lead may apply only once under this funding stream.
5. Are previous recipients eligible? No, municipalities funded through this stream previously cannot reapply.
6. What is the program’s main goal? To improve urban forest management, increase tree planting, enhance climate resilience, and deliver long-term environmental and social benefits.
7. When is the planting target achieved? The initiative aims to plant at least 1.2 million trees by March 31, 2031.

Conclusion

The Urban Forestry Plans and Studies Grant enables Canadian municipalities to plan and manage urban forests strategically, contributing to climate action, carbon sequestration, and resilient communities. With substantial funding support and enhanced cost shares for small, remote, and Indigenous communities, the program fosters sustainable urban forestry practices that benefit the environment, society, and local economies.