2025 National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant Program

Rural and Urban community forests provide trees for people, where they live, work, and play. These natural resources, on public and private property, contribute to quality of life, support community development, green infrastructure, and provide a wealth of benefits to rural communities and cities. The USDA Forest Service's Uban and Community Forestry Program was established in the 1990 Farm Bill (as amended) within Section 9 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act. The Rural and Urban Community Forestry Program | US Forest Service is the only dedicated rural and urban community forest program in the federal government. It is a technical, financial, and educational assistance program that delivers nature-based solutions to more than 84 percent of Americans.

The FY 2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will be addressing components the Public Advisory Council's National Ten Year Urban and Community Forestry Action Plan (2016-2026), (Action Plan) -

Goal 3: Cultivate Diversity, Equity and Leadership Within the Urban Forestry Community Strategy A: Increase diversity, equity, and accessibility in urban and community forestry. Strategy B: Engage underserved communities in urban and community forestry.

Strategy D: Increase workforce development opportunities and green jobs in urban and community forestry, with particular attention to underserved communities.

Goal 5: Improve Urban and Community Forest Management, Maintenance and Stewardship Strategy B: Develop comprehensive programs, policies, and resources for enhancing urban Forestry stewardship.

Strategy C: Promote better use of technology and tools in urban forestry.

GRANT CATEGORY

The 2025 National Grant Category will focus on Sustainable Green Workforce Development for Disadvantaged Communities

The Council is seeking proposals to identify or develop successful sustainable green workforce development programs for urban and community forestry/green infrastructure for disadvantaged communities. Many existing workforce development programs have good training programs, but may be missing a clear path for advancement, business management, or ultimate ownership of one's own company. This is especially true in disadvantaged communities. These successful existing or new creative, and innovative workforce development programs are to be tested and adapted in pilot disadvantaged communities across the country, Indian Country, and U.S. Territories.

Key factors to be included in an existing or proposed sustainable workforce development program are:

Safety standards and procedures are a priority: Tree Care Industry Association Inc, TCIA, American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Tree Care standards, 300, A300, Z133.

Utilizes American Nursery Stock Standards

Adaptable and suitable for different geographical areas around the country, territories, and Indian Nation.

Identify successful existing program(s) and how they could be improved.

Training certification to be scalable at different size levels as applicable (local, State, National).

Leads to certification recognized by the green industry, local government, and/or State organizations.

Include partnering or collaboration with key professional organizations for feedback and technical support. To consider but not limited to i.e. International Society of Arboriculture,

State Urban Forestry Coordinator, Urban and Community Forestry Society, Society of American Foresters, Cooperative Extension Urban Foresters, Green Latino's, Hispanic Access, Urban League, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Tree Care Industry Association, Tribes for Trees, American Society of Landscape Architects, National Association of Landscape Professionals, American Nursery and Landscape Association, Utility Arborist Association (UAA), urban tree product conversion, etc.)

Identify geographical pay rates as applicable.

Identify barriers that may prevent disadvantage community members from participating?

Address translation to languages other than English.

Consider cultural micro certifications

Outline and implement a glide path to certification and ownership

Address environmental safety: i.e. High heat days, severe storms, flooding, cold, etc.

Identify repeated success of existing work force development programs or for new workforce development programs demonstrate success of similar programs and why it would work for green workforce development with disadvantaged communities.

Include a list/links for support resources, successful case studies, and other identified resources.

Include successful business development protocols.

Identify any applicable or new technology to assist in this effort.

Successful workforce development pilots will be compiled and placed on a Forest Service, national nonprofit, Tribal, State, local partner websites and made available to interested public.

All applicants must have a valid System for Award Management (SAM) number. It may take up to two (2) weeks to apply or renew this registration. All prospective awardees must be registered in SAM https://sam.gov/content/home

Apply online Starting December 9, 2024. Proposals Due February 27, 2025, 5 PM Eastern.

The website contains the full Notice of Funding Opportunity NOFO as a pdf.

Click on this link 2025 National UCF Grant Application Website to complete the on-line grant proposal application. The on-line application workflow process is self-explanatory with help links to guide you through the application process