Minnesota Awards $7 Million for Community Tree Grants

State funds help fifty local communities manage canopies and replace trees affected by emerald ash borer.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Landscaping

Isometric editorial illustration of a young oak tree in a forest plot, representing institutional forestry management in Minnesota. — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources awarded $7 million in grants to 50 communities to improve forest resilience and combat emerald ash borers. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should government environmental grants prioritize funding for tree maintenance on private residential properties?

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has awarded $7 million in ReLeaf grants to 50 communities across the state. The funding, provided by the Minnesota State Legislature, supports projects to manage urban forests and address threats like the emerald ash borer.

Why it matters

The grants aim to build a more resilient tree canopy by replacing ash trees with diverse species. This initiative helps protect public lands and low-income residential areas against the impacts of forest pests and diseases.

The $7 million total supports 34 cities, 5 county organizations, 4 schools, 6 nonprofits, and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. Individual project awards include $65,673 for the Cottonwood Soil and Water Conservation District and $38,500 for the City of Pipestone.

The players

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

This state agency is responsible for managing Minnesota's natural resources and implementing environmental conservation programs.

Minnesota State Legislature

This is the state's legislative body that enacts laws and provides funding for government programs, including forest management.

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe

This is a federally recognized tribe based in northern Minnesota that manages its own lands and environmental programs.

The details

Awarded projects include tree inventories, new plantings, maintenance, and wood use initiatives on public and low-income private land. These efforts prioritize professional management plans and pruning to maintain healthy, diverse forest environments throughout the state.

October 16, 2026: Official announcement of the grant recipients.

Culture Shift

The ReLeaf program reflects a broader movement toward proactive urban forestry management in response to invasive species. Communities are increasingly shifting away from monoculture plantings toward diverse, resilient ecosystems to mitigate ecological and economic losses.

Residents in the 50 recipient communities may see new tree plantings and professional maintenance in their local parks and neighborhoods. Property owners in designated low-income areas should watch for local outreach regarding potential tree management or planting services.

The takeaway

These grants provide critical resources for managing the spread of the emerald ash borer in local neighborhoods. Residents are encouraged to monitor local municipal announcements to see if their area has received funding for new tree health initiatives.