Beautification

2008 Grant

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is proud to present the ODOT Tree Grant in its 12th year! 206 grants have been awarded in the past 11 years, making a visible difference to Oklahoma's public transportation corridors. The purpose of this grant is to improve communities through the use of trees; i.e. screening, aesthetics, erosion control, noise barrier, etc… In 2008, $435,000 is available to award to communities ranging from $1,875 to $25,000 with a 25% Local Match requirement.
NOTE: Applications are due to the ODOT Beautification Office by 4:00 p.m. on July 11, 2008.

Who can Apply?

• Any unit of state or local government (examples: City Parks Dept., Public Works, Municipal Hospitals)
• Public Schools and Universities
• Tribal Nations
• Must have a Federal Employer Tax Identification Number
• Individuals are NOT eligible
• Nonprofit groups are NOT eligible

How can I Spend the Money?

Purchase and install trees, large shrubs, and drip irrigation systems on public property or right-of-way along any public roadway or transportation corridor.

Free Grant Preparation Workshop

There will be a Grant Preparation Workshop at 9:00 am Thursday, May 29, 2008 at the Will Rogers Garden Exhibition Center at Will Rogers Park, 3400 N.W. 36th in Oklahoma City. We strongly urge attendance, as it has been proven to be helpful in answering questions and providing guidance in making application for the ODOT Tree Grant. Please RSVP the ODOT Beautification Office @ (405) 521-4037 if you plan to attend - NO REGISTRATION FEE REQUIRED.

HISTORY

Oklahoma motorists are enjoying more trees and shrubs along Public Transportation Corridors across the state. Much of the increased landscaping is being made possible by the Tree Grant pioneered by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) in 1997. Since 1997, 206 grants have been awarded to communities all over the state.

The funding of the original program was part of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA), a Federal Act that included money for roadside enhancement. ODOT distributes the money to various communities to help finance landscaping and beautification projects along Oklahoma roadways, all of which is aimed at “keeping our land grand”!

In 2000, the Transportation Commission approved a three year Tree Grant with an additional 1.5 million in funding from the TEA-21 roadside enhancement funds.

In 2007, the new highway bill (SAFETEA-LU) passed Congress and ODOT approved another three years of Tree Grants!