OpportunityTitle: FY 22 National Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program
CategoryExplanation: Through this Notice of Funding Availability, the Forest Service is seeking to create a national innovative messaging for the Urban and Community Forestry Program that raises awareness of the critical and urgent need to plan, grow, and manage our urban forests to benefit all. Urban and community forestry has the potential to meet community needs arising from extreme heat, high energy costs, flooding, clean air, natural disaster relief and green jobs. The next step is to build on this momentum and engage and empower our communities to care for their urban and community forests.       GRANT CATEGORY  Messaging Urban and Community Forestry for All    This Year&#8217;s National Urban and Community Forest Challenge Cost Share Grant Program will focus on the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council / public&#8217;s National Ten Year Urban and Community Forestry Action Plan (2016-2026) - Goal 7&#8212;Strategy B: Create a nationwide urban forestry public awareness and messaging for Urban and Community Forestry.    Successful messages will be inclusive and resonate with various cultural and sociodemographic groups and geographical areas of the country and its territories to promote an understanding of urban and community forestry and the mission, brand, and goals of the Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program. The campaign should encourage stewardship of urban forests by demonstrating the value its natural resource services contribute to a community&#8217;s viability, resiliency, and well-being.      The nationwide messaging campaign must be able to be customized for regional and local audiences. Using various forms of emerging media, it must develop a digital relationship to engage citizens in understanding trees and urban forests as a vital part of a community&#8217;s health and security. The messaging campaign should also address national priorities of environmental and climate justice.
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: While Private organizations may not apply directly, they may partner with an eligible applicant.
Description: To Apply On-line, Go to: https://ucfgrants2022.urbanandcommunityforests.org Proposals must meet the Urban and Community Forestry Program Authorities as designated by Congress in the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act, (Section 9 PDF, pp. 19-24) State &amp; Private Cooperative Forestry Handbook of Programs and identity with Goal 7 -Strategy B of the National Ten Year Urban and Community Forestry Action Plan (2016-2026). Partnership collaboration is required: Two or more related partners must be involved in these proposals and include formal letters of partnership. They may also include letters of support from other key stakeholders, as applicable. Available Funding: Aligns with the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260), the U.S. Forest Service may provide approximately $1,000,000 (Based on availability of funding, the quality of applications received, agency priorities, and other applicable considerations.) Messaging is to be tested and adapted to other parts of the country to demonstrate its national applicability and successful response from focus audiences. Time Frame: Grants or Agreements are to be completed within 2 years. Matching Requirements: All grant funds are to be matched at least equally (dollar for dollar) with non-federal match, which may include in-kind donations, volunteer assistance, and private and public (non-federal) monetary contributions. As this is a high priority, under special circumstances eligible applicants can have match requirements reduced with supporting justification in the application. Federal Agencies: Other Federal dollars or technical support may contribute to the project, but their contributions may not be used to match the Urban and Community Program dollars. - Federal Urban and Community Forestry Grant Dollars may not pay for any Federal employee salary, travel, or per diem, etc. - Federal partners must provide a letter of support stating their pro bono role in the project. Registration in System for Award Management (SAM): Please allow at least two (2) weeks to apply or renew this registration. All prospective awardees must be registered in SAM https://sam.gov/content/home If applicable, ensure all Indirect Cost Rates are current.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: USDA Forest Service email address
GrantorContactText: Nancy N Stremple &lt;br/&gt;Urban Forestry Program Specialist