History: The Environment and Energy Department requests authorization to offer grants to cities, multifamily affordable housing providers, land trusts, schools and non-profits to enhance the county’s tree canopy. The goals of the grants will be to combat threats to trees from invasive insects and diseases; promote the development of a more diverse, resilient and equitable tree canopy; and support efforts to educate the public on tree care and the importance of trees. In fall 2018, the department released a one-time request for proposals for tree canopy improvement grants. The county received 30 applications from 10 cities, 7 affordable housing providers, 11 schools and 2 non-profits. In 2019, the board awarded 27 grants totaling $253,143 (Resolutions 19-0063 and 19-0114). Based on this strong response, staff requests to formally establish the grants program.

Trees improve air quality by absorbing fine particulate matter and other pollutants and reduce stormwater runoff. Trees also provide shade, reduce the urban heat island effect, reduce stress and increase property values.

The Emerald Ash Borer alone is expected to kill one million ash trees (approximately 15 percent of the county’s tree canopy) in the next 10 years. Based on experiences of other states, the effects of the Emerald Ash Borer will overwhelm municipalities’ financial and staffing capacities to respond to the tree loss. This will result in the removal of trees without replacement and a corresponding decline in the tree canopy and its associated benefits.

Countywide data analysis conducted by Environment and Energy and Geographic Information Systems staff has identified a correlation between tree canopy deficient areas and areas of air quality, economic and health disparities. County residents in these areas are also the most vulnerable to serious health risks from extreme heat events. Staff used this analysis to create a tree planting prioritization map that factors in both environmental and demographic data to understand areas that have lower tree canopy and higher needs. Planting trees in high priority areas of the county will help make the tree canopy more equitable and help reduce environmental, health and economic disparities. Without proactive canopy improvement efforts, the loss of tree canopy from Emerald Ash Borer will exacerbate these disparities and health risks. Individuals can access an interactive map or view a pdf of the map at www.hennepin.us/trees.

Based on staff outreach efforts, less than half of Hennepin County municipalities have completed tree inventories, an integral part of a municipal forestry program. To encourage cities to plan for pests such as the Emerald Ash Borer and to develop and expand forestry programs, the county would offer grants to assist cities with completing tree inventories followed by assistance for tree planting and other canopy-improvement activities. Grants of up to $5,000 would be made available to municipalities to complete tree inventories. Municipalities that have completed a tree inventory and have forestry staff would be eligible for grants of up to $50,000 to develop tree management plans, plant and maintain trees, conduct outreach, develop gravel-bed nurseries and perform other efforts to improve the tree canopy. Municipalities will be required to provide a 25 percent match to demonstrate their investment in the project and leverage additional funds.

The county also would provide grants to affordable housing properties to remove ash trees, and plant trees beyond minimal municipal requirements. Many affordable housing properties are located within the tree planting priority areas. Grants of up to $20,000 would be made available to owners of existing affordable multifamily housing, developers of new affordable multifamily housing, and affordable housing land trusts to increase the tree canopy on these properties. A 25 percent match will be required.

Grants of up to $10,000 would also be available to non-profit organizations and schools for a district-wide tree inventory, ash tree removal and tree planting, and related educational projects, such as Arbor Day events. A 25 percent match will be required for ash tree removals. A portion of the funds also would be reserved for tree replacement and canopy enhancement on county property and on tax-forfeit land administered by the county.

Current Request: This request seeks approval of the Hennepin County Healthy Tree Canopy Grants program that will provide funds to municipalities, schools, non-profit organizations and affordable housing developments to encourage the completion of tree inventories, tree planting and tree canopy enhancement efforts with a total not-to-exceed amount of $500,000 per calendar year. Funding for the grants will be allocated from the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund.

Grant applications will be solicited through a Request for Proposals process.  Staff will conduct outreach to potential grantees. Funding will be awarded on a competitive basis judged on the merits of the applications received. Applications will be evaluated on the long-term impact and sustainability of the project as well as the canopy need based on tree planting priority areas identified by the county.

Impact/Outcomes: The tree canopy improvement grants will promote a more diverse, resilient and equitable tree canopy. The grants will:

• Fund the collection of data through tree inventories, which is critical to start responding to Emerald Ash Borer.

• Mitigate the effects of tree pests and pathogens by improving municipal forestry capacity.

• Facilitate tree canopy improvements at affordable housing developments and in other areas of need.

• Educate residents on the benefits of trees and engage them in tree planting efforts.

• Improve livability by planting trees in neighborhoods throughout the county experiencing economic, environmental and health disparities.