HANOVER, MD (April 15, 2025) – The Maryland Department of Transportation today announced the award of more than $26,000 in state funding to support tree plantings in 12 communities across the state. The Urban Tree Program grants are part of a competitive program that focuses on increasing vegetation in areas impacted by the construction of transportation facilities, helping to clean the air, enhance community resilience and support the urban tree canopy.

This round of funding will add 757 new trees across the state, advancing Maryland’s goal of planting five million trees by 2031. The Department on Tuesday also announced that it is accepting applications for the next round of funding.

“Branches and limbs from Maryland's native trees help protect the state and provide for stronger, safer and healthier communities,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “The Maryland Department of Transportation is proud to fund the state's beautification with planting more White Oak, Blackgum, Eastern Redbud and other native trees. These trees will grow tall and cool down temperatures in hot urban areas with ample amount of shade.”

The Urban Tree Grant Program has awarded more than $165,000 to 62 projects across more than 50 communities since its launch in 2022, resulting in the planting of about 3,000 trees. Awards from this round of funding include $1,381 to the Town of Thurmont in Frederick County to plant 24 trees at a local park, nearly $5,000 to the Green Trust Alliance to complete phase 2 of Southwest Area Park Pond reclamation in Baltimore County and $1,000 to Nature Forward in Montgomery County to plant 79 trees and restore a forest to meadow ecotone.

Trees planted with funding from this program count towards Maryland’s progress in meeting the five million trees goal and should be registered with the state’s “Register Your Tree” tool available here.

The grants are available to communities impacted by transportation projects and seek to help urban areas affected by environmental justice issues or the “heat island effect,” which refers to urbanized communities that experience higher temperatures than outlying areas. Recipients can receive up to $5,000 in funding for tree plantings, with more available for pocket forest projects. The Maryland Department of Transportation is accepting applications for the Fall 2025 tree planting season until 4:30 p.m. on July 15.

Among eligible recipients are nonprofit organizations, schools, local business associations, youth and civic groups. For details on the program and to apply visit the Urban Tree Program application site.

To help support applicants MDOT will be hosting office hours every other Thursday from April 17 to July 10 from 10-11am on Microsoft teams.​ The Urban Tree Program is administered in partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Maryland Urban Community and Forestry Committee.

For any questions related to the Urban Tree Grant Program contact Nick Kurtz at nkurtz@mdot.maryland.gov​.

Below is a breakdown of the Spring 2025 Urban Tree Program Awardees: