Grant applications for forest restoration sought

• Program encourages diverse organizations to collaborate on the design and implementation

Officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service is seeking grant applications for forest restoration projects on public and tribal lands in New Mexico.

The deadline for applications is Feb. 19, 2019.   

According to Southwestern Regional Forester Cal Joyner, millions of dollars in federal funding is available.

“Approximately $3 million will be awarded under the Collaborative Forest Restoration Program this year in New Mexico,” Joyner. said  “The Forest Service will provide grants of up to $360,000 for projects that will be implemented in four years or less.”

The program encourages diverse organizations to collaborate on the design, implementation and monitoring of restoration projects on public and tribal lands.  Grant money is available for projects on federal, tribal, state, county or municipal lands in New Mexico. By working together to apply for these grants, small business owners, conservation and environmental groups, community groups, tribes, universities and other organizations can help reduce the threat of wildfire, improve forest and watershed conditions and bring jobs and job training to local communities.  

Applications should reflect local and traditional knowledge in developing creative ways to reduce the number and density of small diameter trees on public lands. Proponents are encouraged to submit proposals for projects that facilitate landscape-scale, multi-jurisdictional efforts such as National Environmental Policy Act  planning, landscape assessments or Community Wildfire Protection Plans.

Tribes, state and local governments, educational institutions, private landowners, conservation organizations, non-profit groups, and other interested public and private entities are encouraged to apply. 

“Last year the Forest Service awarded $3.4 million for 11 CFRP grants,” Joyner said.  “A technical advisory panel reviewed the applications and made recommendations to us on the applications that best met the objectives of the program.” 

For questions about the program or to develop project applications, contact  the program coordinator in your area. For :incoln County and Alamogordo, the coordinator is Mark Cadwallader, 575-434-7375, or email at mcadwallader@fs.fed.us.

The Forest Service will be sponsoring grant writing workshops throughout New Mexico for those interested in learning more about the program and the application process. Information also is available at the Southwestern Region website at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r3/cfrp.