Decorah Tree Board's $630,000 USDA Grant Canceled Due to Federal Funding Freeze

Shine a light on issues that matter—support local news with your gift today. DECORAH — The Decorah Tree Board's urban forestry initiative has hit a significant setback, as they learned on Thursday, Feb. 27, that a $630,000 federal grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been canceled due to a nationwide federal funding freeze. The freeze was enacted through an executive order by President Donald Trump that went into effect at the end of January. The grant, which was part of the USDA's Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program, was expected to fund several local projects, including tree trimming, plantings, educational outreach and professional tree care. Michael O'Hara, Decorah's Public Works Director, acknowledged the setback: "We are disappointed that the grant got terminated but proud of the progress we made. We are evaluating and exploring alternative paths to continue this important work to preserve and enhance our urban forest." Financial Impact and Questions Around Reimbursement The abrupt termination of the grant has led to confusion regarding the funds that had already been spent. According to Sam Hogenson, City Forester, out of the $629,652.60 initially awarded, only $46,381.43 had been utilized before the funding was cut off. These expenses included a city-wide tree inventory. "We are still hoping to be reimbursed for costs incurred before the grant was terminated and that [the] city will not have to unexpectedly cover these costs," Hogenson said, though he noted that the government is only considering invoices from before February 20, 2025, for reimbursement. While the city had planned to use the funds through mid-to-late 2028, the immediate loss of the grant has halted several projects that were poised to benefit Decorah's urban landscape. What Does This Mean for Decorah's Tree Projects? According to Hogenson, Decorah's plans to plant hundreds of new trees, host educational events on tree care, and hire a tree care professional for ongoing maintenance of the city's boulevard trees have all been delayed or canceled. Additionally, local businesses that were set to benefit from the grant's economic impact are now left without those opportunities. The environmental ramifications of this funding loss are also significant. Without the planned tree plantings, the city will miss out on the vital environmental benefits that trees provide, such as improved air quality, reduced urban heat, and stormwater management. Hogenson warned that the lack of ongoing tree care could lead to further deterioration of existing boulevard trees, impacting the community's overall green space and ecosystem. Exploring Alternative Funding Options While the cancellation of the USDA grant is a major blow, Hogenson remains optimistic about securing alternative funding. The city frequently applies for grants from organizations such as Trees Forever, funded by Black Hills Energy and Alliant Energy, and this year was awarded a $5,000 grant from those sources to plant up to 35 trees. "We will continue to pursue other grant opportunities for additional funding," Hogenson said. Additionally, the loss of the USDA grant could disrupt long-term partnerships with local businesses, environmental organizations, and community groups, all of which were expected to play roles in the tree projects. A Personal Disappointment Hogenson shared his frustration over the disruption to years of planning and community collaboration: "On a personal level, this cut brings frustration over lost environmental and economic benefits for the community. Everyone involved with this grant feels discouraged and disappointed due to wasted efforts and missed opportunities to improve the city's urban canopy." Despite the setback, Hogenson remains steadfast in his commitment to the city's long-term sustainability goals. "This funding loss highlights the vulnerability of environmental initiatives to political decisions," he expressed. "Even though some at a federal level didn't think our work was worth funding, we will never lose sight of the importance of our urban canopy and what we need to accomplish so our community can continue to flourish." Feed your curiosity! Subscribe to the free newsletter and indulge in all that's local. Your friends will be impressed.