USDA Forestry Grant

In 2024, Forestry Services, City of Milwaukee Environmental Collaboration Office(ECO), Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD), Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), Milwaukee Rec, and Milwaukee County Parks were awarded a $12 million grant to:

• Perform tree maintenance and hazardous tree removal
• Plant trees
• Conduct public outreach and education
• Develop the workforce

100% of this work is being conducted in disadvantaged areas.

Forestry Services is prioritizing work using an equity-needs based model using the Climate and Environmental Justctice Screening Tool or Justice40. This model assigns a needs score (highest score, highest need) to each census tract in the City. We will use a production prioritization score for each City quarter section within each tract so crews conduct work efficiently starting with the highest score and working toward the lowest score. 

Forestry Services was awarded $8 million of which $2 million is being awarded to Community Based Organizations. 

Outcomes

• 19,515 trees pruned
• 500 trees removed
• 2,515 stumps removed
• 5,850 trees planted
• 310,000 sq. ft of school years and other surfaces converted from impervious surface to forest/canopy
• 53 new urban forestry jobs created
• Increased community awareness of urban tree benefits and residential tree care
• Increased interest in urban forestry careers