Staff outlines tree-planting grant opportunity, releases new city tree guide

Jordan told the board the DNRC is offering subgrants funded by a federal program for tree-planting to 20'40 Montana communities, with grants ranging from $20,000 to $300,000. Jordan said the district would need creative approaches because the math under the DNRC estimate leaves roughly $70 per tree for planting if the city accepted a $20,000 award under current assumptions.

"We only have about $70 a tree that we're able to spend on each tree planting," Jordan said, explaining the funding constraint and that staff were brainstorming ways to meet planting requirements for larger-dollar awards.

Jordan also updated the board on a nearly complete city tree guide and a tree inventory that has catalogued about 1,800 trees. He said the guide will be used by developers and staff and will be distributed once final comments are incorporated.