The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is taking applications now for a tree planting program that’s designed to benefit disadvantaged schools across the state. Chip Murrow, an urban forestry program specialist at the DNR, says more than 100-thousand dollars is available through the program, with grants of five-thousand dollars per public or private school.
The grant money can be used to purchase trees, mulch and supplemental watering when school is not in session.
Murrow says schools do not need to put up matching funds for these grants, so it’s a win-win.
He says students are encouraged to get out in the schoolyard and help with the process of planting the trees.
The program is being made possible through the DNR, the USDA Forest Service, and the National Association of State Foresters 2023 Inflation Reduction Act. The application and requirements are available online at www.iowadnr.gov/urbanforestry.
