IID Opens 2026 Green Space Grants to Fund Tree Planting and Cooling Projects

Up to $35,000 available for cities, counties, nonprofits, and community groups across Coachella Valley

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Imperial Irrigation District is offering a new round of grants to help plant trees and expand green spaces across the Coachella Valley region. The 2026 Public Green Space Grant Program is part of IID's Tree for All initiative, with a total of $576,000 available for individual grants of up to $35,000. The program supports projects that aim to lower temperatures, conserve energy, and improve quality of life for residents by increasing tree coverage and creating greener community landscapes.

Why it matters

Expanding green spaces and tree canopy can help combat the heat island effect that often impacts desert communities like the Coachella Valley. By funding these types of projects, IID is working to make neighborhoods more livable and sustainable for local residents.

The details

The grant program is open to cities, counties, nonprofits, and community organizations interested in launching new planting projects or expanding existing green spaces. Last year, the program funded 24 projects across Imperial County and the Coachella Valley, resulting in the planting of approximately 1,300 trees throughout the region. Applications for the 2026 grants are open now and must be submitted by March 24 through the IID website.

  • Applications for the 2026 Public Green Space Grant Program are open now.
  • The application deadline is March 24, 2026.

The players

Imperial Irrigation District

A public utility that provides water and electricity to the Imperial Valley and parts of the Coachella Valley in Southern California.

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What’s next

After the application deadline, IID will review submissions and announce the recipients of the 2026 Public Green Space Grants.

The takeaway

This grant program is a valuable opportunity for communities in the Coachella Valley to secure funding for projects that can help mitigate the effects of extreme heat and promote more sustainable, livable neighborhoods through increased tree coverage and green spaces.