Urban Greening 2026

Purpose

Urban Greening Grant Program funds projects that use nature-based solutions to mitigate the urban heat island effect, rising temperatures, and extreme heat impacts in urban areas.

Description

The 2026 Urban Greening Grant Program will solicit Step 1 Concept Proposals (between May 4-June 4) and extend invitations to submit Step 2 Full Proposals in July 2026. Successful projects will green and cool communities and offer multiple benefits including sequestering carbon, limiting stormwater runoff, providing habitat and preserving biodiversity, protecting public health during extreme heat, increasing equity, and expanding economic and workforce opportunities. Funded projects are expected to advance the goals of the State’s Extreme Heat Action Plan and Nature-Based Solutions Climate Targets. To be eligible for funding, Urban Greening projects must comply with all the following: • Be located in an urban area; • Provide public benefit; and • Provide public access At the time of full project proposal submission, applicants must either own the property or demonstrate landowner willingness to enter into future site control negotiations. Projects that proposing at least one of the following will be prioritized for funding: 1. Providing direct and meaningful benefits to vulnerable populations, disadvantaged communities, or severely disadvantaged communities, and meet these 4 criteria (A thru D): a) Create direct, tangible, and substantial benefits that would not have happened without the project. Meaningful benefits are not incidental, indirect, or speculative. b) Protect or enhance a community’s resources and quality of life by building climate resilience. This may include reducing risks to the community from climate hazards or protecting resources threatened by climate change (e.g. drinking water supply/quality, urban tree canopy, critical community infrastructure, etc.). c) Directly respond to a community’s expressed need or desired benefit, either through direct project input or as part of a larger planning or engagement effort. d) Avoid long-term degradation or reduction of any population’s resources (i.e., benefits provided to one community cannot burden another). 2. Using the services of the California Conservation Corps (CCC) or Certified Local Conservation Corps (LCCs) 3. Leverage private, federal, and local funding or produce the greatest public benefit This program intends to award funding to disadvantaged communities with a minimum of 40% of funds to projects providing meaningful and direct benefits to vulnerable populations, or disadvantaged or severely disadvantaged communities. For projects that affect tribal communities, applicants must show meaningful outreach and attempts to collaborate with local California Native American tribes throughout the planning, design, and implementation of their project.