The Community Forest Program is a US Forest Service competitive grant program whereby local governments, qualified nonprofit organizations, and Indian tribes are eligible to apply for grant funding to establish community forests. Community forests provide many benefits, such as wildlife habitat, clean air and water, economic benefits from timber resources and recreation.
Conservation easements are not eligible for this program.
We are pleased to announce the Request for Applications for the US Forest Service Community Forest Program (CFP) that was published in the Federal Register. Please share widely with anyone who might be interested in creating or expanding a Community Forest.
Applications are due to the appropriate State Forester or Tribal Official, depending on the applicant, annually in early January. Individual grant applications may not exceed $600,000.
Applicants shall work with the State Forester and equivalent officials of the Indian tribe to determine technical assistance needs and include the technical assistance request in the project budget.
All local government and qualified nonprofit organization applications must be submitted to the State Forester of the state where the property is located. All Tribal applications must be submitted to the equivalent Tribal government official.
Applicants are encouraged to contact and work with the Forest Service Northeastern Area and the State Forester or equivalent Tribal government official in developing their proposal.
Mail all completed applications to:
Peter Church
Director of Forest Stewardship
MA Department of Conservation and Recreation
251 Causeway Street
Suite 900
Boston, MA 02114
Please contact us with any questions or comments concerning the Community Forest Program
Lindsay Nystrom, DCR Bureau of Forestry
phone: (508) 792-7714 x114
e-mail: lindsay.nystrom@state.ma.us
Neal Bungard, US Forest Service
phone: (603) 868-7719
e-mail: nbungard@fs.fed.us
