$20M Available for Community Reforestation Grant Program
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that $20 million is now available through the second round of the Community Reforestation (CoRe) Grant Program. The goal of CoRe is to support tree planting projects that will create or restore forested natural areas in urban communities across the state. This grant round is funded by the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act (Bond Act). Projects funded by these grants will directly contribute to the “25 Million Trees Initiative,” launched in 2024 by Governor Hochul in recognition of the importance of trees and forests for climate resiliency and community health. CoRe also advances New York’s nation-leading climate agenda by increasing tree canopy in underserved communities, restoring natural systems, and improving environmental equity.
“Trees are one of our most effective tools for mitigating climate-related risks such as extreme heat, flooding, air pollution and droughts,” said Governor Hochul. “This funding will empower local partners to expand and restore forested landscapes in their communities that will clean our air and water, reduce flooding and erosion, moderate temperatures, support local economies and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.”
Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “Healthy urban forests are essential green infrastructure that cool and clean the air, filter stormwater, store carbon, provide wildlife habitat and protect biodiversity. Investment in resilient reforestation will create healthier ecosystems, more vibrant communities, and provide New Yorkers with greater access to forests close to where they live.”
Indigenous Nations, municipalities, soil and water conservation districts, not-for-profit organizations, and state agencies may apply for a minimum amount of $300,000 up to a maximum of $3,000,000, with no match required. Up to $4 million of the total funding is available for smaller projects (projects with a maximum funding request of $499,999). The remaining $16 million will be dedicated to larger projects.
Eligible projects include planting trees, preparing sites for planting, removing competing or invasive vegetation that would interfere with seedling growth and installing tree protection to prevent deer browse. Funds cannot be used for real property (land) acquisition or for planting and maintenance of individual street or park trees. Projects that serve Disadvantaged Communities (DACs) or communities with low Tree Equity scores will receive additional points during scoring.
DEC will host a webinar on Thursday, August 20, at 1:00 pm to provide information and answer questions about this funding opportunity. Registration is required to attend the webinar. Visit DEC’s website for more information.
Applications will be accepted until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. Applications must be submitted through the SFS Grants Management System (SFS). Those wishing to apply need to establish an account in SFS. Once registered, search SFS for “Community Reforestation” or “CoRe.” For more details about the grant opportunity, including application and scoring criteria, visit DEC’s website or email [email protected].
In addition to the CoRe Grant Program, $10 million in funding is still available for urban forest inventories and assessment grants through DEC’s Urban and Community Forestry Program. Applications for this grant will be accepted until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. For more details about the grant opportunity, including application and scoring criteria, visit DEC’s website or email [email protected].
State Senator Pete Harckham said, “This new round of substantial state funding for the Community Reforestation Grant Program is a crucial component in mitigating the effects of climate change — extreme heat events, flooding, infrastructure damage — in urban areas and underserved neighborhoods. I thank Governor Hochul and my colleagues in the Legislature for supporting the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, which funds this important resiliency and environmental initiative.”
New York’s Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act
On November 8, 2022, New York voters overwhelmingly approved the $4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act. State agencies, local governments, and partners will be able to access funding to protect water quality, help communities adapt to climate change, improve resiliency and create green jobs. Bond Act funding will support new and expanded projects across the state to safeguard drinking water sources, reduce pollution and protect communities and natural resources from climate change. Progress on implementing funding continues, with New York State committing more than $1.5 billion, or 30 percent, of Bond Act funds to date. For more information and to sign up for progress updates, go to the Environmental Bond Act webpage.
Since 2022, with these CoRe awards, New York has committed $61 million in grants that support urban and community forestry, focusing on the care of public trees and supporting communities as they build and maintain their own urban and community forestry programs. Funding is primarily awarded through the State’s Environmental Protection Fund. The EPF is a critical resource for environmental programs such as environmental justice, land acquisition, farmland protection, invasive species prevention and eradication, recreation access and water quality improvement projects. Governor Hochul's FY27 Budget reaffirms New York’s commitment to environmental leadership by appropriating $425 million to the EPF, using $25 million from the Sustainable Future Program to provide a record $450 million for important environmental programs.
New York also saw an influx of federal funding into urban forestry during this time, with an additional $73.5 million granted directly to local governments and non-governmental organizations through the Inflation Reduction Act under the Biden Administration.
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