City of Wilmington awarded $1.5 million grant for street trees and urban forest

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The City of Wilmington has been awarded a $1.5 million federal grant to support the maintenance, planning and planting of street trees across the city.

City officials announced the funding Monday, saying the grant comes through the Federal Inflation Reduction Act and is administered by the North Carolina Forest Service. The grant does not require a local funding match.

According to the city, the funding will be used to inventory an estimated 40,000 street trees, identify maintenance needs and locate future tree planting opportunities.

A portion of the grant will also support the city’s partner, Alliance for Cape Fear Trees, to expand tree planting and maintenance efforts.

The project will focus on federally designated areas that make up about 36% of Wilmington. Officials said expanding the tree canopy in those neighborhoods can provide significant environmental and community benefits.

The grant comes as Wilmington’s urban forest has been in the spotlight following the recent removal of several mature laurel oaks along South Live Oak Parkway.

The removals sparked debate among residents over tree preservation and communication, though city officials said the laurel oaks had significant internal decay and posed a public safety risk.

Officials say the investment will help identify higher-risk trees, improve public safety, reduce costly emergency tree repairs and support more strategic and equitable tree planting throughout the community.