Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program

<p>The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, State, Private &amp; Tribal Forestry, is requesting applications for the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (Community Forest Program or CFP).&nbsp;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.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p><strong>Ap</strong><strong style="color: black;">plications are not submitted electronically via Grants.gov. </strong><span style="color: black;">The full Notice of Funding Opportunity and supporting documents (including scoring guidance and FAQs) are available under the 'Related Documents' tab of this listing and can be downloaded.</span></p>

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<p>To apply, interested local government and nonprofit applicants must submit applications to the State Forester where the property is located.&nbsp;Tribal applicants must submit applications to equivalent Tribal government officials.&nbsp;<strong>All applications must be received by State Foresters or Tribal governments by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. </strong>All applicants must also send an e-mail to SM.FS.CFP@usda.gov to confirm that an application has been submitted.</p>

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<p>State Foresters or Tribal government officials must forward applications to the appropriate Forest Service Regional office or International Institute of Tropical Forestry by <strong>11:59 PM Eastern Time on</strong> <strong>Tuesday, October 27, 2026.&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Projects must conform to laws and authorities in Section 7A of the <a href="https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Cooperative%20Forestry%20Assistance%20Act%20Of%201978.pdf" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act</a> ([16 U.S.C. 2103d] Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program) as amended.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>