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City of Fort Collins
 

Nature in the City

Nature in the City

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Nature in the City Grants#

Nature in the City has funds from the Community Capital Improvement Program to apply towards community-driven projects that provide increased access and stewardship to high-quality natural spaces. The two types of grant funding opportunities are project planning and project implementation – Dream it Up and Make it Happen!

Dream it Up (planning) and Make it Happen (implementation) grants are offered on alternating years. Applications are due in the fall and grant funds are awarded the following calendar year.

Get inspired and see what types of projects have been funded in the past, check out the Community Projects page or go on a self-guided tour of some Nature in the City projects!

2025 Dream It Up Planning Grants#

image of landscaping plans

Nature in the City would like to help you and your community create more access to nature and improve wildlife habitats throughout Fort Collins! In 2024, apply for up to $8,000 in the Dream It Up Planning Grant.

Timeline for applications and grant funds:

  • Applications will open on September 1, 2024
  • Applications will be due by midnight on October 20, 2024
  • Awardees announced by mid-December 2024 
  • Funds available after paperwork is completed February/March 2025

Planning Grant Resources#

In 2024, Dream It Up Planning Grant applications (up to $8,000) are available to help cover design costs for projects that help us reach our goals. 

Review all the resources available to help you apply for Nature in the City funds. 

Implementation Grant Resources#

In 2025, Make it Happen Implementation Grant applications will be available. These grants include small (up to $5,000), medium (up to $25,000), and large-scale ($25,000 - $50,000) funding towards projects that help reach Nature in the City goals.

Review all the resources available to help you apply for Nature in the City funds:

Frequently Asked Questions#

Dream it Up: Planning grants can help groups form win-win partnerships, discover and overcome early challenges, and gain input and buy-in from the community the project will serve. Additionally, planning grants improve the quality of projects and the ease of implementation. An expected outcome might be a professional, community-approved landscape plan for your dream project. 

Make it Happen: Implementation grants help fund the installation of community projects that bring more wildlife habitat and access to nature into our community. Implementation grants can be small projects for natural spaces that need improved habitat or larger projects that create neighborhood buy-in, inspire stewardship, as well as provide habitat and access to nature. Implementation grant funds are for "shovel-ready" projects that already have approved plans. 

  • Home Owner Associations 
  • Faith-based organizations 
  • Businesses
  • Non-profits 
  • Affordable housing communities
  • Mobile-home communities 
  • Schools
  • Apartment Complexes
  • Committed community members with creative project ideas 

Nature in the City can fund a wide variety of on the ground projects. Get creative with it! Some ideas include:  

  • Native-habitat gardens 
  • Nature play areas 
  • Outdoor classrooms/gathering spaces 
  • Mini habitat/pollinator restorations with native plants
  • Turf conversions to native habitat
  • Habitat enhancements to your existing green space
  • Native plants
  • Your unique ideas!  

Check out some of the past projects here!

  • Projects within the Fort Collins growth management area 
  • Hiring a landscape company to install the project (implementation phase)
  • Hiring a landscape designer to plan the project (planning phase)
  • Up to 15% of your grant funds can go towards staff and outreach costs, collectively
  • Completing a minor amendment through the City's Zoning Department for your project (planning or implementation phase)
  • Projects with predominantly native plants
  • Individual homeowner projects. Those are now funded through XIP (Xeric Incentive Program, see Native Bonus Rebate)
  • Programs and activities (e.g. environmental education, clean up days, research)  
  • Project maintenance
  • Projects outside of the City of Fort Collins growth management area 
  • Non-native plants
  • Completed application
  • A project team (including landowner)
  • Budget worksheet
  • Site photos
  • Landscape plan
  • Landowner permission

Have More Questions?#

You can email us directly at any time: