Energy Conservation Grants

Cedar Falls TREES Energy Conservation Grants provide up to 50% cost sharing for qualifying trees used in large planting projects. The maximum grant is $2,500. Funding is for plant material only and does not include planting or related expenses.

Who may apply?
Businesses, public agencies, education facilities, civic groups and non-profit organizations may apply.

When to apply
The application deadline is June 1. Review of grant applications for both spring and fall plantings will begin March 1 and continue until funds are exhausted. Grants will be made on a first-come, first-serve basis, so early application is advantageous.

How to apply

• Complete the one-page application form
• Attach a site plan showing locations and species of existing trees and trees to be planted.
• Include a list of trees for which funding is requested, including quantity, species, height and caliper of each, with price quotations from at least two suppliers.

Send the completed application with attachments to CEDAR FALLS TREES, C/O Cedar Falls Utilities, PO Box 769, Cedar Falls, IA  50613. Or scan the application and email to cfu@cfunet.net.

Program guidelines

• Trees must be planted on property served by the Cedar Falls Municipal Electric Utility.
• Only eligible species will be funded.
• Limited funding is available for grants each year. Priority will be given to plantings that provide energy conservation benefits. Strategically placed shade and windbreak plantings are ideal projects for this program. Landscape plantings that provide environmental benefits other than energy conservation will also be considered, but with lower priority.
• Windbreaks will be considered only when located west or north of heated structures on the property.
• A proposal may be funded in part or in full as determined by CEDAR FALLS TREES.
• The Conservation Grant will pay up to 50% of the cost of trees, up to a maximum of $2,500 per grant. Only plant material costs are eligible for funding; other planting costs such as labor and tree removal are not funded.
• Reimbursement for approved plantings will be upon receipt of bills from the applicant and documentation that the planting has been completed as planned. 
• The planting site, soil and moisture conditions must be suitable for the tree species selected.
• If you plan to plant trees in the right-of-way (also known as the parking or easement area, located between the sidewalk and the street) be aware of the City’s rules for Street Tree Plantings.