Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program
General information
The Community Forest Program is a competitive grant program that provides financial assistance to federally recognized 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.
More information on past awarded projects can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/community-forest/program.
Program Goals and Objectives: The Community Forest Program protects important private forestland from conversion to non-forest uses and supports locally-led forest management through the establishment and expansion of community forests. The program’s objectives are to ensure that these community forests provide public access and deliver benefits to local communities, defined as:
- Economic benefits, such as timber and non-timber products resulting from sustainable forest management, recreation and tourism
- Environmental benefits, including clean air and water, stormwater management/flood mitigation, wildlife habitat, and cultural resources
- Benefits from forest-based experiential learning, including K-12 conservation education programs; vocational education programs in disciplines such as forestry and environmental biology; and environmental education through individual study or voluntary participation in programs offered by organizations
- Benefits from serving as replicable models of effective forest stewardship for private landowners
- Recreational benefits such as hiking, hunting, and fishing secured through public access
Funding details
Funding application timeline
Grant eligibility
Entity Types:
- Federally recognized Indian/Native American/Alaska Native Tribal Governments
- Local government entities (County Government, Municipality or Township Government)
- Nonprofit organizations that are qualified to acquire and manage land
Individuals are not eligible to receive funds through this program.
Restrictions: Qualified conservation non-profit organizations eligible to apply are defined in the Community Forest Program final rule as any organization that is described in Section 170(h)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 170(h)(3)) and operates in accordance with one or more of the conservation purposes specified in Section 170(h)(4)(A) of that Code (26 U.S.C. 170(h)(4)(A)).
Disqualifying Criteria: Applications will be reviewed for disqualifying factors that include:
- Ineligible land
- Ineligible applicant
- Incomplete application submissions
- Lack of public access to the land for which funding is requested
- Inactive Sam.gov registration
- Inadequate cost-share
- Unallowable costs