Urban Forested Natural Areas and Riparian Corridor Restoration Grant Program

The Urban Forested Natural Area and Riparian Corridor Restoration Grant Program, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and administered by DEEP’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, supports projects to improve the health and resilience of urban natural forested areas and riparian corridors. Grant awards range from $2,500 to $20,000, and eligible applicants include local government entities and nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations. No financial match is required for this program. This grant program is designed to assist local land managers in addressing forest health issues by funding interventions that restore and enhance green infrastructure in urban areas. Eligible projects include chemical or mechanical removal of invasive plants, vine removal, tree planting, and other treatments that promote native tree regeneration and control the spread of invasive species. The Connecticut Invasive Plants Council provides a list of non-native plants known to cause environmental harm, which can guide project planning. Examples of previous projects include vine removal in New Haven, invasive plant mapping and removal in Stamford, and erosion-control plantings in New Haven. Applicants are encouraged to draw inspiration from these examples when planning their projects. Successful applications should demonstrate clear management goals and describe how the project will improve forest health and ecosystem resilience. Applications must be submitted via Survey123 by January 31, 2025, at 5:00 PM. An FAQ will be published by December 6, 2024, and questions will be accepted through November 22, 2024. Applicants will be notified of their awards via email by May 31, 2025. Applications require detailed budget and timeline information, for which templates are available. For assistance or special accommodations, contact DEEP.UCF.Grants@ct.gov. Additional resources, including a vendor list for invasive species removal, are available for guidance. However, DEEP does not endorse or guarantee the completeness of the vendor listing.