The USDA Forest Service is soliciting proposals for the Landscape Scale Restoration Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2025. This program is designed for Federally Recognized Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations, aiming to support collaborative, science-based restoration of priority forest landscapes. Eligible proposals must contribute to measurable ecological outcomes and align with existing restoration strategies.
Key eligibility criteria focus on collaboration, project goals addressing wildfire risk, water quality, and habitat improvements, with funding between $50,000 and $300,000 per project, and higher for cross-boundary efforts. Applicants must demonstrate matching funds equivalent to their federal request and adhere to specific application guidelines, including detailed project narratives and budgets.
The initiative emphasizes the significance of tribal lands, which encompass over 19 million acres, recognizing their ecological and cultural value. Interested parties can submit proposals by December 16, 2024, with an optional preliminary review available by October 30, 2024. The program prioritizes leveraged funding, innovative project design, and clear measurable outcomes for sustainable forest management and restoration initiatives, ultimately enhancing community resilience and ecological integrity across tribal and adjacent lands.
The USDA Forest Service's Landscape Scale Restoration (LSR) Grant Program invites proposals from federally recognized tribes and Alaska Native entities to enhance forest health and ecosystems. Applicants must specify their type (Tribe, Corporation, or Tribal organization) and provide contact information for project leads. Projects must align with LSR objectives, primarily focusing on wildfire risk reduction, wildlife habitat improvement, water quality maintenance, invasive species mitigation, and forest ecosystem enhancement.
The proposal structure includes sections on project location and ownership details, objectives linking to national goals, and integration of science-based restoration strategies and Traditional Ecological Knowledge. Additionally, it emphasizes cross-boundary collaboration with Federal and State initiatives and the need for a robust project budget reflecting a one-to-one non-Federal match. The grant requires detailed plans for project activities, measurable outcomes, and strategies for sustaining benefits beyond the project’s duration. Applicants must account for any program income generated during the project, adhering to specific federal guidelines. This program aims to foster collaborative restoration efforts in forest ecosystems, benefiting both ecological and community interests.