Green Your Block

You tell us about yourself and your vision in our tree request form!

The Green Your Block program awards funding to interested groups for tree plantings ranging from 10-30 trees within the City of Grand Rapids. The Friends of GR Parks team will assist interested groups in the process and planning for the tree planting.

Any group representing a community in Grand Rapids is welcome to request Green Your Block funding! This could include neighborhood, school, non-profit, block-club, faith-based or other groups. Not a member of an official group? That is okay! You can engage with your community to find partners that support the desired tree planting and apply together. 

This is important because plantings that both involve community members in the process and provide public benefit by planting trees in frequently accessed areas are desirable to the grant committee.

Requests should be submitted by the group’s main contact person. Groups who have not already received free trees through the program in the current calendar year will be considered.

Projects are evaluated by their potential to involve a large portion of a neighborhood, the visibility of their impact on the urban forest, and the applicant’s commitment to on-going tree maintenance.

Have questions about the information needed to apply? Contact Lauren Davis, Urban Forest Project Manager.

You will receive an email confirmation that your request form has been received. Before the Urban Forest Project committee evaluates projects, we will contact you to review and discuss program criteria.

The committee reviews all requests and awards funding seasonally (in the spring and fall). You will be notified of the status of your funding consideration at that time.

If you have questions about the process, or if you would like to check the status of your project evaluation, we encourage you to reach out to Urban Forest Project Manager Lauren Davis.

We will walk alongside you to help you gather or become equipped with the following:

• Provide at least five volunteers for the day of planting
• Help identify vacancies where trees could be planted (10-30 sites needed)
• Identify a couple of date options for the planting to take place
• Commit to performing or seeking tree maintenance as needed for two years as the trees establish (i.e. watering, remulching, etc.)

Optional: We highly encourage you to seek matching funds, either from your own organization or from other community partners. 

We will provide the following to groups who receive Green Your Block free trees:

• A site assessment by a tree expert to help verify vacancies
• Guidance for tree species selection based on identified planting sites
• Ordering and transporting of high quality, location-appropriate trees
• Day-of training, tools and personal protective equipment for all volunteers at the planting project
• Resources for on-going tree care and community engagement
• Ongoing access to Friends of GR Parks’ staff and subject matter experts