The Department of Natural Resources announced Tuesday that Alaska schools are welcome to start applying for tree-planting grants for next spring’s Arbor Day.

The program, funded by the U.S. Forest Service, provides chosen applicants with up to $400 to buy and ship trees to their schools.

Jim Renkert, the community forestry program manager for the Alaska Division of Forestry, said in a press release that the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the grant program for spring 2020 and spring 2021. He said he hopes schools will apply in time for Arbor Day 2022.

“We encourage schools to apply for a grant and to plant a tree to beautify their campus and foster an interest in nature for students,” Renkert said.

The next Arbor Day is May 16, 2022, and the deadline for schools to apply for the grant is Dec. 10.

To apply, visit the Alaska Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry community forestry grant webpage at http://forestry.alaska.gov/community/grants.

Schools are encouraged to involve students in the application process, the release said.

Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.