Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program

Community forests are places to hike, bike and enjoy nature. They protect wildlife habitat and water quality, and they can provide economic benefits through timber resources. Community forests have also long been sites for environmental and cultural education. 

The Community Forest Program is a grant program that authorizes the U.S. Forest Service to provide financial assistance to local governments, tribal governments and qualified nonprofit entities to help conserve land and establish community forests that provide continuing and accessible community benefits.  

The program pays up to 50 percent of the project costs and requires a 50 percent non-federal match.

Lands acquired through the program are actively managed in accordance with a community forest plan to provide community benefits.

What Land Is Eligible?

Eligible land includes private forestland that is at least 5 acres in size and at least 75 percent forested, is threatened by conversion to non-forest use, provides community benefits, and is not held in trust by the United States.

Public access is required for Community Forest Program projects. Fee title acquisition is also required. Conservation easements are not eligible.

How Do I Apply?

For information on the application process, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service's Community Forest Program webpage.

For specific eligibility and criteria information, see the Federal Register's Request for Applications: The Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program.

All applications, either hardcopy or electronic, must be received by the State Forester or tribal government by January 10, 2022. The State Forester or tribal government official(s) must forward applications to the Southeastern Forest Service Regional Office by February 7, 2022.

For more program-specific information, for questions about the application process, or to discuss a project, contact the USDA Southeastern Forest Service Regional Office, Forest Legacy and Community Forest and Open Space Program Leader:

Susan Granbery
USDA Forest Service
1720 Peachtree Road NW
Suite 700
Atlanta, GA 30309

(770) 883-8925 (cell)
susan.granbery@usda.gov