Northwest Wisconsin Projects Receive Urban Forestry Grant Funds

Multiple Northwest Wisconsin projects will receive funding through the Department of Natural Resources’ Urban Forestry Grant Program in 2025.

According to a press release, nearly $630,000 will be distributed to 43 applicants across the state through the program. The goal of the grant funding is to assist local municipalities in developing sustainable urban and community forestry programs. That goal includes expanding existing programs, increasing urban forestry services, and putting the existing inventory of urban trees to use.

The City of Ashland will receive $25,000, the maximum amount of grant funding awarded to individual applicants. The funding will be used to help the City implement their Emerald Ash Borer readiness plan, including the removal and replacement of affected trees.

The invasive beetles officially spread to Burnett County over the past summer, meaning they have now infected every county in the state. Department of Natural Resources officials believe the beetles will eventually kill over 99% of the white, black and green ash trees in Wisconsin. A number of Northwest Wisconsin municipalities have taken to removing ash trees entirely from their area in an effort to halt the spread. The City of Eau Claire has also received previous Urban Forestry grant funding to target ash trees.

In addition to the City of Ashland, the City of Menomonie, City of Spooner, and Polk County have been awarded grant funding through the program. The City of Menomonie received nearly $23,000 for the restoration of the Urban Tree Canopy. Polk County received $5,000 for their Apple River Park and Campground Hazard Tree Removal Project. The City of Spooner received nearly $2,000 for their Gravel Bed Starter Tree Program.