The Urban and Community Forestry Program assists communities, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions by providing tools and information to promote forest stewardship in communities. The Forestry Division provides assistance through district urban forestry representatives from the seven districts, many of whom are ISA Certified Arborists. These individuals work closely with communities, schools, and non-profit staff and volunteers to increase public awareness about the value of community trees. 

Arkansas Urban & Community Forestry Grants

• 2022 Arkansas Urban and Community Forestry Grant Application

The Forestry Division is now accepting 2022 Urban & Community Forestry (U&CF) Grant applications through September 16, 2022. Grants are available to fund community projects that develop, improve, and/or promote urban and community trees and forests.

The Forestry Division and the Grant Review Committee of the Arkansas Urban Forestry Council will rank grant proposals and award funds based on criteria that include the following: improvement to a community’s tree management program; proposed implementation plan for the project; proposed level of community involvement; educational components; and proposed tree care and long-term maintenance. Communities that participate in the Tree City USA, Tree Campus Higher Education, Tree Campus K-12, and Tree Line USA programs will receive additional ranking points.

Examples of eligible projects include:

• Community tree inventories and management plans
• Parking lot improvements for stormwater runoff
• Tree-friendly streets (allowing for root space and canopy growth, adding tree grates, etc.)
• Park improvements to help reduce sun exposure and cool the air
• Improving tree health with tree maintenance and protection plans, soil amendments, mulching, professional pruning and restoration, watering bags and/or irrigation, etc.
• Education and training for tree care workers, volunteers, and the public
• Communications materials that increase public awareness of the benefits of urban forests
• Projects aimed at increasing access to the benefits of community trees for historically underserved populations

Urban & Community Forestry grants, administered by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Forestry Division, are made available through federal grant funds from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. The maximum federal cost share of any project is 50% of the total expenditures for the project. The non-federal match may be cash, services, or in-kind contributions. Work on projects funded in the 2022 grant cycle may begin on October 1, 2022, and must be completed by August 31, 2024. For more information, contact Kristine Kimbro at kristine.kimbro@agriculture.arkansas.gov or 479-228-7929.

2021 Urban & Community Forestry Grant Projects

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division awarded Urban & Community Forestry Grants to five entities for the 2021 grant cycle:   

• City of Casa – Healthy Shade Food Forest Project
• City of Goshen – Goshen Trees and Parks Project
• City of Walnut Ridge – Stewart Park Improvement Project
• Eureka Springs Parks & Recreation – Open Space Assessment and Glade Restoration Project
• University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service – Green Parking Lot Demonstration Projects in Mountain Home and Searcy

Free Tree Fridays

In celebration of Arbor Day, the Urban & Community Forestry program will be sponsoring their 2^nd Annual “Free Tree Fridays” campaign from the Friday before Arkansas Arbor Day (celebrated on Monday, March 21^st) until National Arbor Day (Friday, April 29^th). Bare root hardwood seedling giveaways will be held at various locations across the state every Friday during the campaign. Please check here for the schedule of giveaway dates and locations, which will be updated as new locations are added. Those attending the events may select up to five seedlings (species will vary at each location). Planting instructions will be included.

This program is made possible through a grant from the USDA Forest Service