WI AB879

Creates new grants of up to $100,000 through DNR's urban forestry program for planting, maintaining, and replacing trees to reduce urban heat island effects, with grants covering 100% of eligible project costs

Defines "urban heat island" as an urban or metropolitan area significantly warmer than surrounding natural land cover

Expands eligibility for all urban forestry grants to include federally recognized American Indian tribes or bands located in Wisconsin, in addition to existing eligible recipients (municipalities and nonprofits)

Appropriates $500,000 from the conservation fund in fiscal year 2025-26 specifically for the new urban heat island grants

Authorizes DNR to promulgate emergency rules to implement the new grant program without standard emergency rule requirements (no finding of emergency, statement of scope, or gubernatorial approval needed)