The USDA Forest Service Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program provides funding to establish community forests. This protects forest land and provides economic, environmental, and educational benefits.
Interested applicants should contact their Community Forest Program Regional Contact. Grant awards are available for up to $600,000 over two years with a required 1:1 match of non-federal funds. Applications must be submitted to State Foresters or Tribal Governments by January 12, 2024.
Eligibility
Applicant
This grant is open to entities in the United States, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, such as:
- Federally Recognized Native American Tribes (including Alaska Native Corporations)
- Local governments
- Qualified nonprofit organizations
Land
To be eligible for conversion to community forest under this program, property must be:
- At least 5 acres
- At least 75% forested
- Able to sustain natural vegetation
- Threatened by conversion to non-forest uses
- For sale by a willing seller
- Not held in trust by the United States on behalf of any Native Tribe and not Tribal allotment lands
- Accessible to the public
Allowable Costs
Grant funding is intended to be used for full fee title acquisition of a piece of forested property. Also allowable are related costs, such as:
- Title examination
- Appraisals and appraisal reviews
- Land surveys
- Legal and closing costs
- Development of the Community Forest Plan
Funds may not be used for:
- Long-term operations, maintenance, and management of the land
- Construction of buildings or recreational facilities
- Existing liens or taxes owed
- Research
- Costs associated with preparing this application
Review Criteria
All applications will be evaluated based on:
- Community benefits (economic, environmental, educational, recreational) – 20 points
- Community engagement – 10 points
- Strategic contribution and connection to broader landscape initiatives – 5 points
- Threat or likelihood of property being converted to non-forest use – 5 points
Other considerations include:
- Costs to the federal government
- Other funds leveraged
- Due diligence completed
