Community Forest Program

The Community Forest Program is a federal initiative supported by the U.S. Forest Service through its State and Private Forestry branch in the Pacific Northwest Region. The program is designed to help establish community forests by funding the acquisition of private forest lands that are at risk of being converted to non-forest uses. By securing these lands under community ownership, the program promotes long-term conservation, sustainable forest management, and public access. The initiative reflects a broader federal commitment to preserving working forests while supporting environmental, economic, and social benefits for local communities. The primary purpose of the program is to protect forestland while ensuring it is actively managed for public benefit. Community forests supported under this program are expected to provide multiple uses, including recreation, wildlife habitat, environmental education, and demonstration of sustainable forestry practices. In addition, these forests may generate income through sustainable timber harvesting or other forest-based enterprises, helping to support ongoing management and community programs. The program emphasizes long-term stewardship and requires that lands remain forested and accessible to the public. Funding is provided on a cost-share basis, with the program covering up to 50 percent of total project costs. Applicants are required to provide a non-federal match of at least 50 percent, which may include cash contributions, in-kind services, or donated resources from non-federal sources. Individual grant awards are capped at 400000 dollars, and funding is specifically intended for the full fee title acquisition of eligible forest lands. Conservation easements are not eligible under this program. Additional program requirements are detailed in the governing federal rule, which outlines compliance expectations and allowable uses of funds. Eligibility for the program includes local governments, Tribal governments, and qualified nonprofit organizations. Eligible lands must be privately owned forest parcels of at least five acres, with at least 75 percent forest cover or the capacity to sustain such cover. Public access to the land is a mandatory requirement, and the community must play an active role in both the establishment of the forest and its long-term management. The program also requires that applicants demonstrate the capacity to manage forestland effectively and engage stakeholders in governance and decision-making processes. In Oregon, additional state-level preferences apply to strengthen forestry education and sustainable land management outcomes. Projects are favored if they include a strong educational component, are supported by a formal forest management plan such as a Forest Stewardship Plan or Oregon Tree Farm certification, and demonstrate alignment with recognized sustainability standards such as the Forest Stewardship Council or Sustainable Forestry Initiative. Preference is also given to properties that already exhibit sound forest stewardship practices and are located in areas threatened by development, particularly within urban-rural interface zones. The application process requires submission of detailed project proposals that demonstrate eligibility, community involvement, and long-term management planning. Applicants must outline how the forest will be managed, how public access will be ensured, and how the project aligns with program objectives. While specific submission steps are referenced through official application instructions, applicants are expected to provide comprehensive documentation, including evidence of matching funds and land eligibility. The program may also involve coordination with private landowners, particularly when developing new Forest Stewardship Plans as part of the project. Although specific application deadlines and award timelines are not explicitly stated in the provided information, the program is known to operate on a recurring basis with periodic funding rounds. Applicants are encouraged to consult official program guidance and maintain readiness for future cycles. The program also allows private landowners to pursue additional funding for stewardship planning under certain conditions, provided the plans are new and align with program requirements. Overall, the Community Forest Program represents a structured, collaborative approach to conserving forestland while empowering communities to manage and benefit from these natural resources over the long term.

Emphasize strong community involvement, demonstrate sustainable forestry practices, include certified or certifiable forest management plans, and highlight risk of land conversion to strengthen application