Grants for Forestry

Funding for forestry projects can be called by many names: forestry, watershed, clean water, stream restoration, fire prevention, habitat improvement, ecology. Be flexible in your thinking when describing your project.

Forest landowners in rural areas may find funding for individual stewardship projects. Group projects are increasingly popular such as grouping landowners on a ridge or along a creek to address fuels management or water quality needs. Farmers who have woodlots and tree farms may have projects of interest, too.

Urban areas engage in tree planting, stream restoration along creeks in urban areas, removal of invasive species, park development and a host of other forest related projects. Creative metropolitan projects may involve many citizen groups from all walks of life.

In every case, you'll need to read each Request For Proposal very carefully.

TIP: You don't have to reinvent the wheel. If you can find a similar program to your proposal that has been done in another state successfully, see if you can use their format as a model.

Sampling of Funding Sources:

Urban Forests Ecosystems Institute

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is introducing the tree-planting program Leaf-It-To-Us, designed to assists kids in becoming motivated to care for and improve their educational environment.The purpose of the program is to distribute funds for community school tree-planting projects initiated and undertaken by school kids in partnership with school volunteers.
 

Private Landowner Network

Promote conservation activities, habitat protection or restoration on your land through grants, cost share, or technical assistance.
 

Partnership Resource Center

online resources you need to build vibrant partnerships and effective collaboration for the nation's forests, grasslands, and other special places, this is a joint project of the National Forest Foundation and the USDA Forest Service.
 

Partnership Guide

View online or download the Partnership Guide. Useful for planning any projects close to, or impacting a national forest or really any USDA area. Also it may illuminate aspects of partnering with a federal agency.
 

USDA State and Private Forestry

The State and Private Forestry organization of the USDA Forest Service reaches across the boundaries of National Forests to States, Tribes, communities and non-industrial private landowners. It is the federal leader in providing technical and financial assistance to landowners and resource managers to help sustain the Nation’s forests and protect communities and the environment from wildland fires.
 

National Tree Trust

Through its Community Tree Planting grant, the National Tree Trust provides free tree seedlings to schools and community groups to plant on public property. CTP grants consist of a minimum of 100 regionally appropriate tree seedlings, 2-gallon plastic containers, and a cash subsidy to underwrite the cost of potting mix. Applications are available from January through May, for trees that will be delivered in the spring of the next year. To request an application contact the National Tree Trust at the toll-free number listed. Also ask about their Growing Together program, which offers planting and curriculum materials for growing trees from local seeds.
 

Pew Trusts

Look under 'Grant Information'. The great majority of projects supported are initiated by program staff and/or developed in close collaboration with other foundations and environmental organizations - so think PARTNERSHIP! The Environment program aims to promote policies and practices that protect the global atmosphere and preserve healthy forest and marine ecosystems. They support about 60 projects per year.
 

Home Depot

Under Corporate Information you'll find a section on Environment which will lead you to their grants information. Assistance is provided to nonprofit organizations that direct efforts toward protecting natural systems. Program focus is on the following areas: Forestry and ecology, Green building design, Clean-up and recycling, Lead poisoning prevention. Starting in 2001 they will be accepting applications on a rolling, on-going basis. Be sure to talk to your local Home Depot to get their support for your project.
 

ISA Research Grants

John Z. Duling Grant Program and The Hyland R. Johns Grant Program are explained. Both provide seed and research money for aboriculture projects.
 

Earthwatch Research

Earthwatch supports a broad range of forest science projects in both basic and applied research. Grants range fron $7,000 to $130,000. A preliminary proposal should be submitted no later than 12 to 14 months prior to the projected start of fieldwork.
 

Federal Funding Resources for Watershed Protection

Catalog of Federal Funding Sources for Watershed Protection, Second Edition is now online. It can be read online or downloaded for offline use. This is a very helpful publication.
 

Guide to USDA Programs for American Indians and Alaska Natives

Comprehensive online publication covering federal programs for tribal work, inlcuding sections on environment and natural resources.
 

Building Better Rural Places

Comprehensive online publication covering federal programs for sustainable agriculture, forestry, conservation and community development.
 

Firewise

The national Firewise Communities program is a multi-agency effort designed to reach beyond the fire service by involving homeowners, community leaders, planners, developers, and others in the effort to protect people, property, and natural resources from the risk of wildland fire - before a fire starts.
 

Firesafe CaliforniaGrants Clearinghouse

One-stop shop that simplifies the process of finding and applying for grants to improve California's community wildfire preparedness.
 

Northeast Forestry Funding-PDF

Funding sources for community based forestry in the northeast. This is a pdf file from Communities Committee
 

Wildfire Programs Database

The national database of state and local wildfire hazard mitigation programs serves as a clearinghouse of information about nonfederal policies and programs that seek to reduce the risk of loss of life and property through the reduction of hazardous fuels on private lands.
 

Urban Forestry Funding-PDF

Funding sources for urban forestry in the northeast. This is a pdf file from Communities Committee
 

NE Forest Landowners Guide

Really extensive funding and techincal resources forforestry in the northeast states. You can use it online, by state, or download the whole thing as a PFD file.
 

Rocky Mountain Partnership Resources

Rocky Mountain Partnership Resources: Funding Opportunities for Forest Service Unit.
 

Alaska Community Forestry Program

The state program fosters partnerships between government agencies, businesses, and volunteers to promote and improve community forests throughout the state.
 

Alabama Urban Forestry

The Alabama Urban Forestry Association is a statewide organization. It provides a forum and clearinghouse for information on urban forestry in Alabama, and urban forestry education. The website has information on grant opportunities.
 

Montana Urban and Community Forestry

The Montana Urban and Community Forestry Program is funded through a grant from the USDA Forest Service and administered through the State Forester's Office of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). The program offers technical, financial and volunteer assistance to cities and towns statewide.
 

New Jersey Community Forests Challenge Grant

The New Jersey Green Communities Challenge Grants are designed to promote the community forests of New Jersey. This is a matching grant (at least a half of your project cost will be provided by you, but can be in the form of in-kind services). Generally, we will consider any project that promotes, enhances, or studies the community forest.
 

Kaulunani Urban Forestry

Kaulunani improves the health and viability of trees in Hawaiian communities through educational programs, financial support in the form of cost-share grants, technical training, Arbor Day promotion, and partnerships with the public and private sectors, community groups and not-for-profit organizations.
 

Pennsylvania Urban and Community Forestry

PA Urban and Community Forestry Grants Program offers a variety of grants to help communities and municipalities realize their goals. You can also get technical assistance.
 

Colorado Tree Coalition

Grant programs and tree workshops.
 

Vermont Urban and Community Forestry

Community forestry grants program information plus technical assistance.
 

Ohio Division of Forestry

A variety of programs and techical assistance is available for private landowners.
 

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