Landscape Scale Restoration Grant Program 2025 Northeast and Midwest
ID: 355287Type: Posted
Overview

Buyer

Forest Service (USDA-FS)

Award Range

$25K - $600K

Eligible Applicants

Private Institutions of Higher Education

Funding Category

Natural Resources

Funding Instrument

Grant

Opportunity Category

Discretionary

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement

Yes

Original Source

https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/355287

Additional Information

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r9/workingtogether/grants/?cid=FSEPRD898818
Timeline
    Description

    The USDA Forest Service is offering the Landscape Scale Restoration Grant Program for 2025, aimed at funding collaborative, science-based restoration projects across rural nonindustrial private forestland and rural Tribal, State, or local government forest land in the Northeast and Midwest regions. Eligible applicants include private institutions of higher education, state forestry agencies, local governments, nonprofits, and federally recognized Tribes, with a minimum federal funding request of $25,000 and a matching requirement of 1:1 from non-federal sources. This program is crucial for enhancing priority forest landscapes, aligning with State Forest Action Plans, and fostering community involvement through measurable ecological outcomes. Interested applicants must submit their proposals via Grants.gov by November 15, 2024, and can contact Sherri Wormstead at sherri.j.wormstead@usda.gov or by phone at 603-742-6712 for further information.

    Point(s) of Contact
    sherri.j.wormstead@usda.gov
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    FY2025
    FY2025-LSR-Project-Narrative-Fillable-2024-07-10.pdf
    The USDA Forest Service is inviting applications for the Fiscal Year 2025 Landscape Scale Restoration Competitive Process, aiming to promote collaborative and science-based restoration of vital forest landscapes. Applicants must provide key information including project title, organization details, brief project overview, and location specifics of rural lands involved. Projects can span multiple states and should address identified priority issues within State Forest Action Plans. Submissions should detail project descriptions, objectives aimed at reducing wildfire risks, improving habitats, maintaining water quality, and managing invasive species along with measurable outcomes. Collaboration with partners and leveraging additional federal and non-federal resources is encouraged, as well as knowledge transfer to enhance the effectiveness of similar initiatives. The program emphasizes creating benefits for underserved communities where applicable, with applicants required to demonstrate how they will engage these populations. Overall, the request highlights a structured approach to restore forest ecosystems while fostering community involvement and partnerships.
    FY2025.pdf
    The Eastern Region State, Private, and Tribal Forestry's Landscape Scale Restoration (LSR) Competitive Process for Fiscal Year 2025 aims to fund collaborative, science-based restoration projects that enhance priority forest landscapes. Eligible applicants include state forestry agencies, local governments, federally recognized Tribes, nonprofits, and universities, with applications requiring State Forester sponsorship, except for Tribes. Projects must focus on rural nonindustrial private forest land and should align with the State Forest Action Plan's priorities. Financially, the minimum federal funding request is $25,000, with a 1:1 match requirement from non-federal sources. All applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by November 15, 2024. Evaluation criteria include project relevance to state priorities, measurable outcomes, collaboration with partners, and benefits to disadvantaged communities. Selected projects should be completed within three years, highlighting a commitment to ecological improvement and community involvement. This funding opportunity emphasizes strategic engagement and technical transfer to achieve long-lasting forest management results.
    FY25-LSR-RFA-FAQ-2024-08-06.pdf
    The Landscape Scale Restoration (LSR) Request for Applications (RFA) serves to promote collaborative, science-based restoration of priority forest landscapes, as outlined by the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act. The program encourages projects that yield measurable ecological outcomes, aligning with State Forest Action Plans. Applications are due by November 15, 2024, with a minimum federal funding request of $25,000 and no set maximum for single-State applications, though multistate projects are capped at $600,000. Each State Forester can sponsor a maximum of five applications to maintain quality and alignment with State priorities. A 1:1 match of non-federal funds is required, and project outcomes must involve quantifiable activities, such as habitat enhancement and invasive species management. Urban forestry projects are permissible as long as they primarily address rural forest needs. The document details eligibility criteria, application procedures, reporting obligations, and equipment tracking requirements. It emphasizes collaboration among partners, including federally recognized Tribes, and provides guidelines to facilitate effective project planning and implementation in forest restoration efforts across the Eastern Region.
    LSR-Budget-Spreadsheet-2024-08-06.xlsx
    The document provides comprehensive instructions for completing the LSR Budget Spreadsheet as part of federal grants and Requests for Applications (RFPs). It emphasizes the need to fill out the worksheet prior to submitting the SF-424A, detailing how to present a justified breakdown of costs within various budget categories such as personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, contractual services, and indirect costs. Specific guidelines clarify that no construction expenses are permitted under this application. Additionally, it highlights the importance of accurately documenting matching contributions, which must adhere to program requirements. The document notes a forthcoming change to the de minimis indirect cost rate from 10% to 15%, effective October 1, 2024. Finally, the instructions underline the significance of program income and leveraging additional funding sources beyond the match. Overall, this guidance aims to ensure clarity, compliance, and effective financial management in grant applications.
    State-Forester-Endorse-Letter-Template-20240822.docx
    The document is a letter of endorsement for a project submitted to the Landscape Scale Restoration Request for Applications by the USDA Forest Service. Addressed to Tony Dixon, the Regional Forester, the letter indicates that while the project is significant and aligns with the State Forest Action Plan, the endorsing organization is not a direct recipient of federal funds or a supplier of matching contributions. The letter emphasizes the importance of the project within the context of relevant state priorities without expecting any deliverables to occur within the state during the grant period. The author expresses hope for full consideration of the application.
    State-Forester-Sponsor-Letter-Template-20240822.docx
    The document outlines the requirements for applicants submitting a project proposal under the Landscape Scale Restoration Request for Applications to the USDA Forest Service. The letter serves as a formal sponsorship from a state forester, indicating strong support for a particular project aligned with the State Forest Action Plan. It emphasizes the project's relevance to priority landscapes and issues identified in the action plan, thus underscoring the state’s commitment to ecological restoration efforts. The applicant is instructed to upload the sponsorship letter via Grants.gov without needing to provide a physical copy. This structure underscores the importance of collaboration between state entities and federal programs in pursuing landscape restoration objectives. The letter concludes with an appeal for full consideration of the application.
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