WI SB867

Creates new urban heat island tree planting grants of up to $100,000 through DNR's urban forestry program, covering full project costs for planting, maintaining, and replacing trees in urban areas significantly warmer than surrounding natural land cover

Expands eligible grant recipients to include federally recognized American Indian tribes or bands in Wisconsin for all urban forestry grants (existing program and new heat island grants)

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

Authorizes DNR to promulgate emergency rules to implement the program without standard requirements for demonstrating public necessity or obtaining governor approval

Existing urban forestry grants continue to cover up to 50% of costs for tree management plans, inventories, disease evaluations, and public education projects