Texas A&M Forest Service’s Community Forestry Grants program awarded over $4 million to 18 Texas municipalities, schools and nonprofit organizations in June. 

Established in 2022, the Community Forestry Grants program provides funding to help Texans address local challenges through urban forestry investments and develop nature-based solutions that support healthier, more resilient and livable communities.

people out planting trees in a College Station park
Community members plant trees in College Station parks that were purchased through Community Forestry Grants funds. (Texas A&M Forest Service)

“Texas has 1.2 million acres of urban and community tree canopy, directly impacting the health and well-being of Texans,” said Alison Fulton, Texas A&M Forest Service regional urban ecologist. “With these grants, communities are able to strategically expand tree canopy coverage to help reduce heat-related health risks, improve air and water quality and strengthen local infrastructure.”

Texas urban and community tree canopies generate over $6.1 billion in annual ecosystem services, providing vital support for local economies and residents.

“These projects will also support economic growth by creating jobs, increasing property values and reducing public costs through stormwater management and energy savings,” said Fulton.

Community Forestry Grants program offers six areas of support

The 2025 Community Forestry Grants program awarded grants across six categories. Each category addresses community needs through expanding and maintaining tree canopies.

One of the largest grant categories is the community greening transformation grant, which aids recipients in tree planting and giveaway events to provide at least 5,000 trees for their community to create placemaking through canopy expansion. This grant also provides tree care training to residents, enabling them to better manage canopy on their properties and collectively increase their knowledge of forest management.

Award categories and recipients are:

  • Community greening transformation — Region One Education Service Center, Edinburg, $1,181,667; City of Pharr Parks and Recreation, $1,181,666; and City of Longview, $1,181,667.
  • Community resiliency — Austin Independent School District, $50,000.
  • Human health improvement and accessibility — El Centro de Corazon Community Health Center, Houston, $50,000.
  • Workforce development — TreeFolks, Del Valle, $50,000; and Partners for Education, Agriculture and Sustainability, Austin, $50,000.
  • Tree planting and maintenance — City of Harlingen, $20,000; Gardopia Gardens, San Antonio, $20,000; Sewa International, Inc., Houston, $20,000; The Trail Conservancy, Austin, $17,968; Greens Bayou, Houston, $20,000; Tarrant Regional Water District, $20,000; El Paso County, $20,000; City of Burleson, $20,000; The Alief Super Neighborhood Council, Houston, $20,000; and City of New Fairview, $9,000.

The grants are reimbursement-based, and recipients will begin their projects in August.

Learn more about the program

Funding for the grants program is provided in part through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Community Forestry Program.

The Texas A&M Forest Service Community Forestry Program helps build local capacity for communities to develop sustainable programs that provide Texans with healthy trees and forests. This program offers training, workshops, online courses and assistance to local governments to help manage urban and community forests.

Learn more about community and urban forestry in Texas here: https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/forest-land/community-forestry/.

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