The director, with advice from other appropriate state agencies and interested parties, may make grants to provide assistance of 25 to 90 percent of costs for projects meeting guidelines established by the board upon recommendation by the director. The director may waive the cost sharing requirement for projects that are in disadvantaged and low-income communities. Grants may be made to cities, counties, districts, and nonprofit organizations. The director may also waive the cost sharing requirement if the funding source for a grant prohibits cost sharing requirements. The director may authorize advance payments from a grant awarded to a nonprofit organization that is located in or providing service to disadvantaged or low-income communities. The advance shall not exceed 25 percent of the total grant award. Contributions required as a condition of grants made pursuant to this section may be made in the form of material, services, or equipment, or funds. Authorized assistance may include, but is not limited to, any of the following needs:

(a) Funding for development of urban tree plans that include coordination of local agency efforts and community involvement.

(b) Funding for development of urban tree plans that include coordination of multiple jurisdictions, multiple agency efforts, and community involvement.

(c) Funding for development of urban forest master plans or similar plans designed to provide comprehensive protection, maintenance, and management of the urban forest.

(d) Provision of seedling and tree stock.

(e) Tree planting projects.

(f) Funding and other assistance to local agencies and nonprofit organizations for partnerships as follows:

(1) Energy saving urban forest programs.

(2) Developing projects or programs that use urban forests for water conservation, improving water quality, improved water management, or stormwater capture.

(3) Developing projects or programs that use urban forests for air quality improvement, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, or reduction of urban heat island effect.

(4) Developing community education and engagement programs on the benefits and proper care of trees.

(g) Funding for the development of training and educational materials on the benefits of the urban forest.

(h) Funding for the development of training and educational materials on proper care and maintenance of trees and the urban forest, including young and mature tree care.

(i) Funding and other assistance, based on criteria developed by the department, for management of urban forests to ensure their survival and ability to optimize the benefits that urban forests provide the community and the environment.

(j) Funding and other assistance for demonstration projects in urban forestry with special attention given to projects or programs assisting the state in meeting the requirements of the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 38500) of the Health and Safety Code), improving energy and water conservation, capturing and filtering urban stormwater and dry weather runoff, improving water quality, utilizing local water, reducing the urban heat island effect, improving air quality, and wood and fiber utilization projects, including, but not limited to, biofuel and bioenergy.

(k) Funding for improved urban forest maintenance and projects that respond to events that impact urban forest health, including drought, storms, pests, and disease.

(l) Funding for planning and technical assistance for eligible applicants assisting disadvantaged communities.

(m) Other categories of projects recommended by the director and approved by the board.

(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 720, Sec. 6. (AB 1530) Effective January 1, 2018.)