September 3, 2021

Grants to Conserve Forested Areas – Due January 22

Grants to USA and territories nonprofit organizations, local government agencies, and tribes for activities to conserve forestlands. Funding is intended to support projects involving private forests under threat of conversion to non-forest purposes, which offer recreational opportunities and public access, protect wildlife habitat and water supplies, serve as demonstration sites for private forest landowners, and provide economic benefits from timber and non-timber products.

Program Basics:

  • Full fee title acquisition is required. Conservation easements are not eligible. 
  • Community Forests can be owned by local governments, tribal governments, and qualified nonprofit entities.
  • Public access is required for Community Forest Program projects. 
  • Lands acquired through the program are actively managed in accordance with a community forest plan to provide community benefits.

Eligible lands for grants funded under this program are private forest that are at least five acres in size, suitable to sustain natural vegetation, and at least 75 percent forested. The lands must also be threatened by conversion to non-forest uses, must not be held in trust by the United States on behalf of any Indian Tribe, must not be Tribal allotment lands, must be offered for sale by a willing seller, and if acquired by an eligible entity, must provide defined community benefits under CFP and allow public access.

Learn more here.