Forest Health Grants
Funding active restoration and reforestation activities aimed at providing for more resilient and sustained forests
CAL FIRE’s Forest Health Program funds active restoration and reforestation activities aimed at providing for more resilient and sustained forests to ensure future existence of forests in California while also mitigating climate change, protecting communities from fire risk, strengthening rural economies and improving California’s water & air.
Through grants to regionally-based partners and collaboratives, CAL FIRE seeks to significantly increase fuels management, fire reintroduction, treatment of degraded areas, and conservation of forests.
Forest Health FY 24-25 Grant Solicitation
Solicitation opens on November 13, 2024. Applications due January 15, 2025
Eligible applicants include:
- Local, state, and federal agencies including federal land management agencies;
- Universities;
- Special districts;
- Native American tribes;
- Private forest landowners; and
- Non-profit 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) organizations (e.g., fire safe councils, land trusts)
Forest Health projects must further the regulatory goals of the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006.
Applicants will be required to include a quantitative estimate of the net GHG benefit in terms of metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per the Forest Health Quantification Methodology (QM) and Calculator Tool. Some activities, such as planning, research, or education, may not have a measurable GHG emissions benefit. In this case, applicants must provide a justifiable qualitative description of how the activity will ultimately result in emissions reductions, further quantitative assessment of GHG impacts, or improve management actions or policy.
Preference is given to projects that have environmental compliance (CEQA, NEPA, etc.) completed before the project application is submitted. Applicants must agree to complete all needed environmental compliance work within one year of award and must demonstrate progress toward completing the work within six months of award.
How to determine if a project is more applicable to the Forest Health or the Wildfire Prevention grant program?
The Forest Health Program is part of California Climate Investments (CCI), a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities.