Texas A&M Forest Service is offering over $1.2 million in grant funding through the Community Forestry Grants program to enhance community forestry initiatives throughout the state.
Texas A&M Forest Service is offering over $1.2 million in grant funding through the Community Forestry Grants program to enhance community forestry initiatives throughout the state. Grants will help build capacity for community forestry through workforce development, outreach, canopy enhancements and other unique project ideas.
The Community Forestry Grants program is designed to foster community forestry principles that promote the establishment, protection and enhancement of community forest ecosystems in Texas. Beyond the climate and ecosystem sustainability benefits that can be created by the funding, communities will be able to integrate health and wellness initiatives as a result of proper tree planting and management.
“The grants offered through our program are essential to enhancing community forestry practices that will improve the quality of life for residents now, and for future generations,” said Cateri Dixon, Texas A&M Forest Service Program Specialist. “This strategic program that ensures grants are distributed in a manner that will have a trusted positive community impact.”
To support these goals, grant funding is available through six categories: Community Resiliency, Human Health Improvement and Access, Municipal Forester, Workforce Development, Tree Planting and Watershed Protection Implementation.
The Community Forestry Grants Program was established in 2022. It awarded $15.4 million to 21 Texas cities, neighborhoods, non-profit organizations and schools in 2024 and $4 million to 18 recipients in 2025.
The grant program is funded in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service.
Community, civic and neighborhood groups may apply with an eligible entity as a sponsor. Eligible entities must be public or non-profit, including state and local government agencies, public education institutions, non-government organizations or non-profits and public utility districts. Individuals and federal agencies are not eligible. While private industries are not eligible to apply directly, they can be listed as partners and contracted for their expertise on proposed projects.
Applications are now open and will close at 5 p.m. CST on March 1, 2026. Applications are to be completed and submitted using the application worksheets and submission portal. A Community Forestry Grants webinar will be held on Dec. 12, 2025, at 11 a.m. to discuss the application process, resources and address any questions. Join the webinar via Teams.
Communities, non-profit organizations and schools interested in applying for any category can review the requirements, submit applications, preview previous grant implementation, and find more information on the Community Forestry Grants webpage.
Article source and photo credit: Texas A&M Forestry Service
