Illinois Trees for Schoolyards Grant

The purpose of this grant is to plant native trees in schoolyards that are considered low canopy areas.

Projects must plant trees in the ground at schools to help with tree canopy cover. Students do not have to be involved in the planting of these trees unless the school chooses to do so. The applicant must be prepared to maintain and commit resources to the project for at least five years. The project must be implemented on school grounds. Admission fees cannot be charged to obtain access to the site. Individual student projects will not be funded.

Teachers or other school personnel (grades prekindergarten through 12) in Illinois may apply, if their school falls within the eligible areas.

Please check this list for eligibility.

For a visual reference, please click here.

If you believe your school is eligible, please fill out this form. IDNR Division of Eduction personnel will respond shortly.

The maximum annual award is $5,000.00 per project. Funds are provided on a reimbursement basis. Only purchases approved by the grant committee from the original application will be reimbursed. Purchases occurring before the notification of the grant award winners for this application period do not qualify for funding. Only the school or organization will be reimbursed. Reimbursements are not made to individuals. Original paid receipts for purchases must be submitted. These funds are made available through a grant from Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program using IRA Grant Program Funds through the USDA Forest Service.  These funds are held by Illinois Conservation Foundation.

Awarded funds must be used, or the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Education (IDNR DOE) must be notified of forfeiture of these funds. If you are awarded funds, you must use these funds or notify IDNR DOE that you cannot use these funds. These funds are only available until May of 2028. The application period is open upon first-come, first served basis under funds are expended or by May 2028, whichever is first. 

The planting of the trees must occur by May 31, 2028, to be eligible. More information will be provided to grant awardees. Notification to applicants will be made within two weeks of application. Do not purchase anything prior to the awarding of funds.

Funding requests should focus on items necessary for planting native trees.  Other items such mulch, water bladders may be considered. Items purchased prior to the notification of the grant award winners from this Illinois Trees for Schoolyards Grant award do not qualify for funding.

This grant will pay for the purchase of simple gardening tools such as child- and adult-sized gloves, spades, and shovels if students are helping with the planting. Tool costs shall not account for more than 25% of the total project cost.

The grant will pay for the planting of trees if the school wants to use a service to do this. Delivery fees can be covered in the grant.  

Ineligible costs include, but are not limited to consultant fees, bird seed, bird baths, fuel, equipment, equipment rental, signs, labor, books, Web site development, land acquisition, chemicals (fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, insecticides), certification fees, decorative items.

Trees should be native trees to Illinois and not cultivars. You will need to provide the scientific name for the tree. Trees should be between 4 feet to 6 feet tall.  Please see tree planting guide for additional assistant. 

A Final Report and attachments are required. Instructions will be provided to grant award recipients.

Successful grant recipients are required to acknowledge the funding sources in any project publicity or printed materials produced. Details will be provided in the award letter.

If a grant award is made, it will be awarded to the Project Leader. This award is not transferable to another person, school/organization or grade level.

According to the Illinois Pesticide Act, a pesticide license is required of anyone applying pesticides in a public space (minimum age to receive a license is 16 years). If you are considering applying any type of pesticide (herbicide, insecticide, fungicide) to your habitat area, please contact the Illinois Department of Agriculture at 1-800-641-3934 for further information.