U.S. Forest Service’s National Urban and Community Forestry Grant for Quality of Life and Workforce Development

The Council supports urban and community forestry projects that have national or multi-state application and impact through the U.S. Forest Service’s competitive Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost-Share Grant Program. A proposal’s content must meet the Urban and Community Forestry program authorities as designated by Congress in the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act, (Section 9) [Section 9 Urban and Community Forestry only (PDF, pp. 19-24)] and the annual criteria set forth by the Council. A listing of the previously funded projects can be viewed at www.urbanforestrysouth.org/research/nucfac

Available Funding: The U.S. Forest Service anticipates that the statutory authority for the Fiscal
Year 2013 Urban and Community Forestry (U&CF) Program will provide, under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act (Section 9), approximately $900,000 in grant funds to be awarded through the 2013 National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost-Share Grant Program. Funds are to support urban and community forestry projects on nonfederal public land that have a national or widespread impact and application. All awards are based on the availability of funding, which may be subject to change.

Eligible Applicants: Any U.S. non-Federal organization, operating within the United States or its territories, may apply for the Challenge Cost-Share grant. While collaboration with Federal agencies is encouraged, a Federal agency may not receive funding or be used as match to the Federal funds being requested. (Conflict of interest issues will be addressed appropriately.) Individuals, commercial businesses or private land are not eligible.

Note: Local tree-planting projects, capital improvements to property of any ownership, and/or projects that have only a local impact and applicability will not be considered for funding. Urban and community forestry projects with a local scope of work should contact their State Urban and Community Forestry Coordinator for assistance in identifying funding alternatives at the local level. The list of State Coordinators may be found at the following website: http://www.fs.fed.us/ucf/Related_Links/UCF_State_coordinators.htm.

Matching Requirements: All grant funds must be matched at least equally (dollar for dollar) with non-Federal source funds. This match may include in-kind donations, volunteer assistance, and private and public (non-federal) monetary contributions. All matching funds must be specifically related to the proposed project. The source of matching funds must be identified and grantees must comply with all applicable Federal regulations.

The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council is seeking innovative grants proposals for program development, research, and collaboration to address the following two strategic priority issues widely seen as confronting the urban and community forestry community at a national or multistate level.
• Innovative proposals that demonstrate the connection between the personal benefits of urban
forests and quality of life within a community through community engagement; and
• Design an urban forestry recruitment program and retention strategies that support existing
urban forestry academic curriculum.
Organizations, local governments, tribal agencies, and partnerships are encouraged to submit proposals that will demonstrate the reach, resources, and expertise needed to address the two priority issues in ways that will lead to meaningful, replicable results.
Potential Innovation grantees are encouraged to work collaboratively with other organizations and entities not traditionally involved in urban and community forestry. Applicants should consider multi-year projects and other sources of funds, including other Federal cooperative conservation sources. (Note: Federal dollars, in-kind services or donated materials may NOT be used as match to this grant program). As much as $900,000.00 is available in FY 2013 for three or more Innovation Grants.

Grant Category 1:
Create an outreach program, pilot project or series of initiatives that communicates the connection between the personal benefits of urban forests and quality of life within a community through community engagement.
Approaches must include the following:

• educate distinct segments of the public about the benefits of urban forests;
• mobilize individual action to help plant and care for trees on community property and their own private property;
• engage community groups to take responsibility for their local environment;
• make urban forestry a key component of planning for a community’s future.
The intended results must be directed toward mobilizing individual or community action and policy integration. The best practices or initiatives that result from the project would be designed for adoption or integration into local land use planning efforts in similar cities, towns or villages.
Grant Category 2:

Design an urban forestry recruitment program and retention strategies that support existing urban forestry academic curriculum.
• Result in a measurable increase to the baseline number of students enrolled in urban forestry as their chosen major or those with declared concentrations, or minors in urban forestry;
• Increase the proportion of students enrolled in natural resources disciplines who seek post-graduation positions in urban and community forestry settings; and
• Can be replicated for application in other schools.
• Applicants should review the Society of American Foresters (SAF) list of schools and accreditation criteria when developing their proposal. SAF’s website is: http://www.safnet.org/education/2012_accreditation_list.pdf

Inquiries: All questions regarding the program should be directed to Nancy Stremple, Executive Staff to the Council, at (202) 205-7829 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Eastern).