Imperial County Offers Grants for Projects to Improve Air Quality and Expand Green Spaces
The Imperial County Air Pollution Control District (ICAPCD) is accepting proposals for projects aimed at improving air quality and expanding green spaces in the Assembly Bill (AB) 617 community of Brawley, Westmorland and Calipatria.
The funding opportunity supports Urban Greening and Vegetative Barrier projects designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and residents’ exposure to particulate matter and oxides of nitrogen. Eligible projects include the creation or expansion of green spaces through tree planting, grass installation and vegetative barriers, along with the irrigation systems needed to support them.
According to the ICAPCD, proposals must be consistent with the district’s Urban Greening Program Project Plan. Routine maintenance and rehabilitation projects are not eligible for funding.
To qualify, applicants must own the property where the project will be completed or have the authority to construct and maintain it. Recipients must also commit to maintaining the project for 10 years and allow inspections by the ICAPCD and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) during the contract period.
Additional program requirements include keeping property taxes current, demonstrating the financial capacity to complete and maintain the project, using CARB’s Urban Greening Benefits Calculator to estimate greenhouse gas emission reductions, and following CAL FIRE’s Urban and Community Forestry Grant Guidelines for the purchase, planting and maintenance of trees. Applicants obtaining plant materials from outside Imperial County must also contact the Imperial County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office before doing so.
The district noted that applicants may not claim emission reduction credits from funded projects during the 10-year contract period.
The application deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026. Proposals must be submitted as a hard copy to:
Abigail Arballo, Administrative Analyst II
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District
150 S. Ninth St.
El Centro, CA 92243
Application materials and program requirements are available at www.icab617community.org/request-for-proposals.
For additional information, applicants may contact Abigail Arballo at (442) 265-1800 or abigailarballo@co.imperial.ca.us.
The AB 617 community of Brawley, Westmorland and Calipatria was identified for targeted air quality improvement efforts under California’s Community Air Protection Program, which focuses on reducing pollution in communities disproportionately affected by poor air quality. The Urban Greening Program is intended to help increase vegetation, create shade and reduce air pollution through projects that provide long-term environmental benefits.