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The Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (Community Forest Program or CFP) was authorized in 2008 by Section 8003 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act, and is administered by the USDA Forest Service. The Community Forest Program provides grant funding to tribes, local governments, and qualified non-profit organizations to purchase forested land to establish a community forest. The program is competitive, with limited awards offered nation-wide each year.
The program grants up to 50% of the project costs up to $600,000 and requires a 50% non-federal match. Public access to the community forest is required along with the provision of defined community benefits, which include economic benefits through active forest management, clean water, wildlife habitat, educational opportunities, and public access for recreation.
In the fall of 2020, First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) entered into an agreement with the USDA Forest Service to support tribal outreach for the Community Forest Program. The purpose of the outreach is to expand awareness and understanding of the USDA Forest Service’s Community Forest Program among tribal governments and Native-led organizations, and to provide technical assistance to develop competitive Community Forest Program project proposals.
To improve outreach, First Nations developed this CFP Tribal User Guide to provide direct guidance on the CFP program to tribes and Native-led organizations. The guide is intended to provide reference regarding eligibility and key program requirements that may affect tribal interest. For more information, read the complete overview of CFP requirements and application process.
