Forest Legacy Grants
The purpose of the Forest Legacy Program is to protect environmentally important forest land threatened with conversion to non-forest uses. Protection of California’s forests through this program ensures they continue to provide such benefits as sustainable timber production, wildlife habitat, recreation opportunities, watershed protection and open space. Intact forests also contribute significantly to the storage and sequestration of carbon.
Under this competitive grant program, CAL FIRE purchases or accepts donations of conservation easements or fee title of productive forest lands to encourage their long-term conservation. The primary tool CAL FIRE uses to conserve forest lands in perpetuity is permanent Working Forest Conservation Easements (WFCEs). WFCEs do more than just restrict development and conversion on a property, WFCEs protect forest values by concentrating on sustainable forest practices that provide economic value from the land and encourage long-term land stewardship.
This program is entirely voluntary. Eligible properties include those with working forest and rangelands, where the property is managed for the production of forest products and traditional forest uses are maintained. Landowners who wish to participate may sell or transfer particular rights, such as the right to develop the property or to allow public access, while retaining ownership of the property and the right to use it in any way consistent with the terms of the easement and management plan.
Priority is given to lands that can be effectively protected and managed and that have important scenic, recreational, timber, riparian, fish and wildlife, threatened and endangered species, and other cultural and environmental values. CAL FIRE regularly partners with other funding agencies to select high value landscapes for conservation easement projects.
All projects are evaluated on four main characteristics:
- Importance – Does the land provide important economic, habitat, watershed, water supply, recreational, scenic, historical/cultural benefits?
- Strategic Value – How does the property relate strategically to other properties adjacent or in close proximity to it?
- Threat – How is the property threatened by development or conversion to other uses?
- Readiness – To what degree has due diligence been completed?
Project costs covered by the Forest Legacy Program grants include purchase of interests in lands, appraisals, land surveys, closing costs, establishing baseline information, title work, purchase of title insurance, conservation easement drafting and other real estate transaction expenses. Also included are funds expended to facilitate donations of land or interests in lands to a qualified and willing entity for Program purposes.
The Forest Legacy program as administered by CAL FIRE is comprised of two separate but complementary programs:
1. The California Forest Legacy Program
2. The Federal Forest Legacy Program administered by USDA-Forest Service in cooperation with CAL FIRE.
3. The Federal Community Forest and Open Space Program
All three programs operate in a very similar way, with differences including the source of funding, requirements on the entity that holds the easement, and the application timeline and materials.
Status: Open
Forest Legacy Program Capacity and Project Development 2026 Grant Solicitation
The Forest Legacy Program Capacity and Project Development Grant Solicitation is available for eligible applicants to prepare and develop future working forest conservation easement or fee title acquisition projects. This solicitation aims to increase organizational capacity and support the development of high-quality forest conservation projects. Please note, this solicitation does not include funding for the acquisition of conservation easements or fee title.
Funding for this solicitation is limited to the preparation and development of potential future projects. Funds for future project development may be requested for due diligence items such as market analysis, preliminary title reports, minerals reports, land surveys, mapping products, development of conservation easement terms, baseline reports, phase I environmental assessment reports, forest management plans, solicitation and development potential projects, organizational staff time associated with the preparation of due diligence items, and salaries, benefits, travel, and supplies that directly support the Forest Legacy Program.
Up to $500,000 will be made available for this capacity and project development solicitation. Grant awards will range from $50,000 to $150,000.
Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, land trusts, and conservation organizations.
Timeline:
• September 8, 2026: Application period is open!
• September 30, 2026: Applications due
If you have any questions please contact forestlegacy@fire.ca.gov
Status: Closed
The Federal Forest Legacy Program is administered by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in partnership with state agencies (16 U.S.C. Sec. 2103c). This competitive, merit-based federal program allows for conservation easements and/or fee title acquisitions with funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund/Inflation Reduction Act. Prospective applicants apply through CAL FIRE. Interested potential applicants should contact program manager's Peter Leuzinger or Kevin Kiniery (contact information listed below) to find out more about the program and program requirements.
Status: Open
The Fiscal Year 2026 Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program Request for Applications is now open. The full Request for Applications is available on Grants.gov USDA-FS-2026-CFP . Additional resources and information about the program are available on the Community Forest Program | US Forest Service website.
CAL FIRE’s Forest Legacy Program facilitates applications to the USDA Forest Service (USFS) Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program on an annual basis. Per USFS Guidance, applicants are directed to submit applications to the State Forester or equivalent Tribal Government. CAL FIRE’s Forest Legacy Program accepts applications for the State Forester.
- Applications are due to CAL FIRE’s Forest Legacy Program by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Tuesday October 13, 2026.
- Submit applications by email to forestlegacy@fire.ca.gov
- All applicants must also send an email to SM.FS.CFP@usda.gov to confirm that an application has been submitted.
The full Notice of Funding Opportunity and supporting documents (including scoring guidance and FAQs) are available under the 'Related Documents' tab of this listing (Grants.gov USDA-FS-2026-CFP) and can be downloaded.
It is highly encouraged that interested applicants reach out to CAL FIRE and the USFS in advance of the October 13th deadline. Please contact kevin.kiniery@fire.ca.gov from CAL FIRE and kathleen.friday@usda.gov from the USFS.
Program Basics:
The Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program offers a unique opportunity for communities to acquire and conserve forests that provide public access and recreational opportunities, protect vital water supplies and wildlife habitat, serve as demonstration sites for private landowners, and provide economic benefits from timber and non-timber products.
- Full fee title acquisition is required
- Community forests can be owned by local governments, tribal governments, and qualified nonprofit organizations.
- The program pays up to 50% of the project costs and requires a 50% non-federal match. Award ceiling is $600,000.
- Public access is required.
- Lands acquired through this program are actively managed in accordance with a community forest plan to provide community benefits.
Forest Legacy Program Director
Peter.Leuzinger@fire.ca.gov
(530) 723-3651
Forest Legacy Program Coordinator
Kevin.Kiniery@fire.ca.gov
(559) 281-8479
