The U.S. Forest Service has issued a request for applications (RFA) for the Community Forest Program. Eligible applicants include local governments, Tribes, and qualified nonprofit organizations. Applications are due to State Foresters or Tribal equivalents by January 13th. Learn more about the Community Forest Program RFA here.
What are Community Forests?
The Community Forest Program is a Federal grant program that helps establish community forests. Community forests offer opportunities for public recreation as well as sustainable forestry, wildlife and water quality protection, and environmental education.
In the face of development pressure and fragmentation, many communities lack the resources to ensure sufficient forest cover remains available for timber production, water quality protection, environmental education, and public recreation. Congress established CFP in 2008, as part of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act, to assist communities in addressing these critical unmet needs.
More about the Community Forest Program RFA
Community Forest Program grants fund fee acquisition of private forests by eligible applicants from willing sellers to establish or expand community forests. To be eligible for grant funding, a property must be threatened with conversion to non-forest use, must be at least 5 acres, and must be at least 75 percent forested. Community Forest Program cost-share grants cover up to $400,000 of the total project cost.
The grantee must ensure public access once the land is established as a community forest.
USFS typically announces awards in late spring/early summer.
Community Forests in Washington State
Washington has been awarded six Community Forest Program grants since the program was created by Congress in 2008:
Chimacum Community Forest, 2016
Jefferson Land Trust is working with Ecotrust Forest Management, the Trust for Public Land, federal, state and local grant programs, and the local community, to conserve forested Chimacum Ridge forever as a community forest. The vision is a forest managed sustainably through selective, ecological timber harvest that brings in revenue while allowing a healthy, mature forest to continue to grow. The forest could be a community resource, providing wildlife habitat, clean air, clean water, community green space, recreational trails and local timber products.
Learn more.
Nisqually Community Forest, 2015
Nisqually Land Trust
Learn more.
Stemilt-Squilchuck Community Forest, 2013
Trust for Public Land in partnership with Chelan County and the Stemilt Partnership
Learn more.
Pine Flats Community Forest, 2013
North Kitsap Heritage Park, 2012
Indian Creek Community Forest, 2012
Learn more about community forests.