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City seeks DNR grant and private donations to give away about 500 trees in fall 2026; committee approves fund acceptance
Summary
The committee approved a $50,000 DNR grant application for a free tree giveaway (about 500 trees) and accepted up to $50,000 in contributions from the Milwaukee Urban Forestry Fund to support community plantings and outreach.
The Public Works Committee approved two files to support community tree planting: a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) grant application to fund a 2026 free tree giveaway and acceptance of contributions from the Milwaukee Urban Forestry Fund to back community planting programs.
Ben Bridal, property maintenance and compliance manager for the city’s forestry division, said the DNR grant would be for $50,000: $25,000 in grant dollars and $25,000 as an in‑kind labor match from city forestry staff. The program would aim to distribute approximately 500 trees in 5‑gallon pots to City of Milwaukee residents in fall 2026. Jamie Frishinger of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District said MMSD would replicate a drive‑through pickup model used for prior native plant events and would help with logistics.
Bridal said the giveaway would include on‑site staff to answer planting and care questions and that the city would provide planting guidance on the registration website. "Our goal is to make sure that every tree that's planted is going to survive," a forestry official said, noting that staff can visit properties to advise on placement and permitting when trees are proposed for the public right‑of‑way.
A separate presentation from Erin Stockel, urban forestry district manager, described the Milwaukee Urban Forestry Fund, an endowment administered by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation that supplies community tree planting program dollars. Stockel said community groups can apply to plant 10–50 trees with technical assistance from the city; the program has historically supplied tree stock and expertise to grassroots planting efforts.
Both files were moved and approved without objection. Alderman Ottoman Brower moved adoption of the DNR grant application and the Urban Forestry Fund acceptance; the committee recorded “hearing no objections, so ordered.”
Staff said they will provide species lists, size options, and program details as the project is developed and will work with the DNR on post‑planting follow‑up sampling to track survival and success.
