Deadline for New Community Forestry Grant Applications is March 31

PIERRE, S.D. — The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) is accepting applications for new community forestry grants. The application deadline is March 31, 2026.

DANR’s Community Forestry Program intends to help communities solve specific community forestry problems or demonstrate the importance of trees and urban forests in our communities.

Grant funds can be used for new tree planting, urban forest renovation, tree maintenance, development of a tree ordinance or urban forestry management plan, urban food forest, tree inventory, and other urban forest project ideas. Eligibility will be determined by tree canopy coverage. Eligible areas must have a tree canopy of 20 percent or lower to qualify for this funding. Information on how to determine tree canopy coverage can be found on our website linked below.

Communities, tribes, and non-profit organizations are eligible. Projects must follow the guidelines posted here.

Applications and supporting documentation must be submitted to the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Division of Resource Conservation and Forestry no later than March 31, 2026.

Communities are not required to provide any matching funds.

For more information, please contact John Hartland at 605-933-9650 or John.Hartland@state.sd.us.

-South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources