USDA Forest Service Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program Request for Applications Now Open – Technologist

The USDA Forest Service, State, Private & Tribal Forestry is requesting applications for the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (Community Forest Program or CFP), authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill. CFP is a competitive grant program that provides financial assistance to Indian Tribes, local governments, and qualified conservation non-profit organizations to establish community forests through the fee simple acquisition of private forest land.

The purpose of the program is to establish community forests by protecting forestland from conversion to non-forest uses and provide community benefits including public recreation, environmental and economic benefits, and forest-based educational programs. Public access is required for all projects.

Who Can Apply
Federally Recognized Indian Tribes (including Alaska Native Corporations), local governmental entities, or qualified nonprofit organizations that are qualified to acquire and manage land. Individuals are not eligible to receive funds through this program.

Eligible Land
Eligible land for grants funded under this program is private forest land that provides defined community benefits under CFP and is:

• At least five acres in size;
• Suitable to sustain natural vegetation;
• At least 75 percent forested;
• Threatened by conversion to non-forest uses;
• Not held in trust by the United States on behalf of any Indian Tribe and not Tribal allotment lands;
• Offered for sale by a willing seller.

Award Amounts
Individual grant applications may not exceed $600,000 in requested federal funding, which does not include technical assistance requests. Grant applications must also include at least 50 percent non-federal cost share.

Submission Dates for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025

• All applications must be received by State Foresters or Tribal governments by January 13, 2025.
• State Foresters or Tribal government officials must forward applications to the appropriate Forest Service Regional office or International Institute of Tropical Forestry by February 10, 2025.

RESOURCES

Please contact the Eastern Region CFP Program Manager Neal Bungard at 603-833-3287 or e-mail if you have any questions about the CFP application process or would like to discuss a potential project or clarification on the application requirements.