Community Forest Program | USDA FS SPF CFP 2022 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FS SPF CFP 2022 001

The Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program, commonly referred to as the Community Forest Program, is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service designed to help communities acquire and conserve forest lands for long-term public benefit. The central purpose is to support local efforts to protect forests that matter to residents and visitors, especially forests that can be opened for public access and recreation while also safeguarding important natural resources. By helping communities secure these lands, the program aims to keep working forests intact, prevent unwanted conversion to non-forest uses, and ensure the public continues to benefit from nearby forests for generations.

A key focus of this program is community-level conservation that delivers multiple outcomes at once. Projects are expected to protect forests that provide public access and recreational opportunities such as hiking, hunting, fishing access, nature viewing, and other compatible outdoor uses. The program also prioritizes forests that protect vital water supplies, including watersheds that contribute to drinking water sources, groundwater recharge, and overall water quality. In addition, the program supports conservation of wildlife habitat and broader ecological values, which can include preserving habitat connectivity, protecting sensitive species areas, and maintaining forest resilience.

Beyond recreation and conservation, the Community Forest Program is also framed as a practical, working-lands initiative. Community forests can serve as demonstration sites for private forest landowners by showing sustainable forest management practices in action, including responsible timber harvest, habitat improvements, and stewardship that balances ecological health with local needs. The program recognizes that forests can generate economic benefits through timber and non-timber forest products, and that local ownership and management can keep those benefits closer to the community, supporting jobs, local forest products businesses, and stewardship capacity.

This opportunity is offered as a grant under Funding Opportunity Number USDA FS SPF CFP 2022 001 and is associated with CFDA (Assistance Listing) 10.689 under the Natural Resources funding activity category. Eligible applicants include county governments, city or township governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). This eligibility structure reflects the program's intent to place conserved forests under community-focused ownership or control, typically by local governments, tribes, or mission-driven conservation nonprofits that can manage the land for public benefit.

In the referenced cycle, the opportunity was posted on November 10, 2021, with an original application closing date of January 10, 2022. The maximum award amount listed is $600,000, and the agency anticipated making around 10 awards. While the specific application window and funding levels can vary by cycle, these details give a good sense of the typical scale: a competitive program with a limited number of awards intended to catalyze high-impact acquisitions and conservation outcomes.

Applicants are directed to the Community Forest Program website for the official Request for Applications, application guidance, FAQs, and detailed instructions on how to apply, including how the program works. In practice, that guidance typically clarifies what kinds of acquisition and conservation arrangements are eligible, how public access should be provided and maintained, what stewardship and management expectations apply, and what documentation is needed to demonstrate readiness, community benefits, and long-term protection.

• The Department of Agriculture, Forest Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Community Forest Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.689.
• This funding opportunity was created on Nov 10, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 10, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $600,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: County governments, City or township governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for USDA FS SPF CFP 2022 001

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