MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOREST SERVICE

Community Forestry Catalyst Fund

The Community Forestry Catalyst Fund (CF2) was launched in 2024 with support from the USDA Forest Service through the Inflation Reduction Act. Early rounds were administered in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Trust and generated demand well beyond the funding available.

Based on that demand, the Maryland Forest Service is continuing CF2 as a statewide grant program for forestry work in communities. CF2 supports projects that improve the condition, management, stewardship, and long-term sustainability of trees and forests in Maryland communities.

​Applicants primarily seeking support for tree planting should also review the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Urban Trees Grant Program and Urban T​rees Mini Grant Program.


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At a Glance

  • Applications: Accepted year-round and reviewed after January 15 and July 15
  • Award amount: Requests may be made up to $10,000. Larger requests may be considered when an available funding source allows.
  • Eligible locations: Maryland, excluding State of Maryland and federal property
  • Apply: Coming Soon
  • Questions: [email protected]
  • View the full Community Forestry Catalyst Fund Request for Proposals

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What CF2 Can Fund

CF2 provides small grants for forestry work that helps communities manage, restore, establish, and care for trees and forests over time.

Projects may support forest health and stewardship, planning and assessment, tree establishment, education and training, or other community forestry needs. CF2 is especially well suited for discrete phases of larger, long-term stewardship efforts or projects carrying out priorities identified in an existing plan.


Eligibility

CF2 is open to eligible public, nonprofit, and private organizations carrying out urban and community forestry work in Maryland.

  • Projects may take place on eligible public or private property.
  • State of Maryland and federal property are not eligible.
  • Match is required, but there is no minimum amount or percentage.

See the Request for Proposals for full applicant eligibility, project location, match, and funding requirements.


Funding and Review Process

CF2 uses one application to connect projects with several urban and community forestry funding sources administered or coordinated by the Maryland Forest Service. Each funding source has its own eligible uses, locations, and other requirements.

Applicants do not need to determine which funding source fits their project before applying. The Maryland Forest Service will review each proposal and identify the available funding source, or combination of sources, that best fits the proposed work.

Applications are reviewed with support from the Maryland Urban and Community Forestry Council and Maryland’s local Forest Conservancy District Boards. Forestry Boards are volunteer county-based groups that work with the Maryland Forest Service on local forestry issues and may also be available to provide technical or project support, depending on the needs of the project and local capacity.


Previous Awards


  • Audubon Mid-Atlantic
    • Overview:
      Establishes a community-centered framework for restoring degraded urban forests in Baltimore City, combining habitat enhancement with improved public access. The project includes research partnerships with UMBC and local schools and emphasizes the design of welcoming forest edges and trails.
    • Anticipated Outcomes:
      Increased biodiversity, improved forest health, and a replicable model for integrating restoration with community use.
  • Baltimore City Recreation & Parks – Forestry Division
    • Overview:
      Advances the Forest Health and Deer Management initiative to improve forest regeneration and ecosystem health by addressing deer impacts and strengthening monitoring of urban forest conditions.
    • Anticipated Outcomes:
      More resilient understory conditions, higher survival of plantings, and a long-term management framework for urban forest health.
  • Baltimore Green Space
    • Overview:
      Builds long-term stewardship capacity across multiple forest sites by equipping residents with monitoring tools, restoration training, and educational resources to support community-led conservation.
    • Anticipated Outcomes:
      Sustained protection of urban green spaces, increased technical capacity among stewards, and stronger community networks.
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  • Corazón Latino
    • Overview:
      Implements the Nuestras Raíces, Nuestros Árboles initiative to expand participation in urban forestry through bilingual outreach, training programs, and partnerships that create pathways to green careers.
    • Anticipated Outcomes:
      Greater community engagement, a more diverse forestry workforce, and expanded access to environmental stewardship opportunities.
  • Resilience Authority of Charles County
    • Overview:
      Operates the Youth Tree Corps, providing paid employment and hands-on training for high school students while expanding tree canopy in communities most vulnerable to heat and flooding.
    • Anticipated Outcomes:
      Improved local climate resilience, successful establishment of new trees, and workforce development for youth.
  • Temple X
    • Overview:
      Implements the Baltimore Forest Schools initiative to train residents in forest stewardship, monitoring, and advocacy while exploring opportunities to utilize urban wood as a local economic resource.
    • Anticipated Outcomes:
      A sustainable stewardship model, increased community leadership, and insights into local wood utilization strategies.


  • ShoreRivers
    • Overview:
      Improves forest health and community access in Easton through invasive vine removal, site preparation, and community engagement in urban forestry education.
    • Anticipated Outcomes:
      Healthier tree canopy, sustained environmental benefits, and stronger multi-generational stewardship.
  • Blue Water Baltimore
    • Overview:
      Supports tree care and maintenance for more than 1,600 trees in underserved neighborhoods while providing workforce training and pathways into the arboriculture field.
    • Anticipated Outcomes:
      Higher survival rates, improved neighborhood conditions, and successful job placement for participants.
  • Unified Wood Economy
    • Overview:
      Conducts a regional analysis of supply chains and markets to assess the feasibility of a circular urban wood economy that transforms salvaged timber into usable products.
    • Anticipated Outcomes:
      A roadmap for urban wood utilization, reduced waste, and new economic opportunities.
  • Mobilize Frederick
    • Overview:
      Implements the Cooler Neighborhoods Project, combining community outreach, workforce training, and strategic planting to increase canopy coverage and reduce urban heat in priority neighborhoods.
    • Anticipated Outcomes:
      Expanded canopy, measurable temperature reductions, and increased public awareness of urban forest benefits.
  • Howard EcoWorks
    • Overview:
      Integrates urban forestry training into existing green jobs programs, expanding education and hands-on experience in tree care and forest management across the region.
    • Anticipated Outcomes:
      A larger skilled workforce and improved forest conditions in target communities.
  • Grow Home
    • Overview:
      Implements the Baltimore Climate Crew initiative, training residents to install and maintain trees while co-developing community greening plans focused on heat and flood resilience.
    • Anticipated Outcomes:
      Enhanced neighborhood resilience, expanded workforce capacity, and successful tree establishment.
  • Midtown Community Business District
    • Overview:
      Operates the Midtown Tree Steward Program, providing professional maintenance, annual tree audits, and training while piloting QR-based systems to track tree care needs.
    • Anticipated Outcomes:
      Improved tree health, better inventory management, and increased community stewardship.


  • Baltimore City Recreation & Parks – Camp Small
    • Overview:
      Expands operations at Baltimore’s wood reuse facility to process salvaged trees into lumber and mulch while supporting workforce training in material reuse and yard operations.
    • Anticipated Outcomes:
      Increased processing capacity, reduced waste, and expanded access to locally sourced wood products.
  • Maryland Forestry Foundation
    • Overview:
      Provides statewide coordination, grant administration, and technical support to ensure consistent implementation and monitoring across forestry initiatives.
    • Anticipated Outcomes:
      Stronger program alignment, improved data collection, and more effective delivery of forestry investments.
  • Baltimore Green Space (Phase II)
    • Overview:
      Builds on earlier work to sustain stewardship at 11 priority forest sites through expanded monitoring, advanced training, and continued community engagement.
    • Anticipated Outcomes:
      Long-term site protection, enhanced technical stewardship capacity, and continued network growth.
  • Resilience Authority of Charles County (Phase II)
    • Overview:
      Expands the Youth Tree Corps into year-round programming, supporting ongoing planting and maintenance at schools and parks serving disadvantaged communities.
    • Anticipated Outcomes:
      Increased canopy coverage, improved public spaces, and continued workforce development.


  • Audubon Mid-Atlantic (Phase II)
    • Overview:
      Implements community-centered forest restoration in Farring Baybrook Park and surrounding neighborhoods through habitat restoration, trail enhancements, bilingual signage, and educational programming developed with local partners. The project also builds community capacity to monitor birds and forest conditions.
    • Anticipated Outcomes:
      Restored urban forest habitat, increased canopy and biodiversity, improved park accessibility, and stronger community stewardship.
  • Joe’s Movement Emporium / World Arts Focus
    • Overview:
      Advances community greening at Evergreen Cemetery in Bladensburg by combining creative placemaking with ecological restoration. Activities include invasive removal, tree and native plant installation, and site improvements to increase access to this historic landscape.
    • Anticipated Outcomes:
      Improved habitat and canopy, enhanced community access to a historic green space, and strengthened alignment with local sustainability goals.
  • The 6th Branch
    • Overview:
      Expands the Urban Canopy Program in East Baltimore to increase tree coverage while providing workforce training through the TREE program and BRANCH apprenticeship. The initiative focuses on planting and maintaining trees in neighborhoods facing health and equity disparities.
    • Anticipated Outcomes:
      New tree plantings with high survival rates, workforce skill development, job placement for participants, and progress toward neighborhood canopy goals.
  • Wild Potomac Limited
    • Overview:
      Builds community and organizational capacity for canopy restoration in Hancock and Cumberland through urban forestry education, participatory planning, and the design of community food forests.
    • Anticipated Outcomes:
      Increased community engagement, locally driven canopy plans, and new planting strategies benefiting both residents and wildlife.
  • Baltimore City Recreation & Parks – Forestry Division (Phase II)​
    • Overview:
      Implements the next phase of the Forest Health and Deer Management initiative to execute a community-informed plan aimed at reducing deer impacts and restoring forest health in city park natural areas.
    • Anticipated Outcomes:
      Reduced browsing pressure, improved forest regeneration, and healthier park ecosystems in disadvantaged communities.
  • Baltimore Community ToolBank
    • Overview:
      Expands access to tree planting and maintenance equipment by increasing tool inventory and providing subsidized access for community groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas.
    • Anticipated Outcomes:
      Lower barriers to tree care, increased community participation in canopy work, and improved maintenance capacity statewide.
  • Corazón Latino — Nuestras Raíces, Nuestros Árboles (Phase II)
    • Overview:
      Expands culturally relevant outreach through bilingual digital resources, communications campaigns, and community engagement activities, while strengthening technical assistance for forestry partners.
    • Anticipated Outcomes:
      Broader public engagement, expanded bilingual resources, increased participation in tree planting efforts, and strengthened statewide outreach capacity.
  • Urban Wood Economy (Phase II)
    • Overview:
      Conducts a practical assessment of a business model to redirect wood waste into a centralized processing and upcycling system, exploring pathways for product development and job creation.
    • Anticipated Outcomes:
      A scalable strategy for wood reuse, reduced landfill disposal, and new opportunities for economic development tied to urban wood.
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