National Forest Foundation, US Forest Service, launch grant program to help restore health, sustainability of watersheds in California's national forests, allocates US$150,000 to support projects run by non-profit, community groups

Wendy Lisney

VALLEJO, California , May 28, 2013 (press release) – The National Forest Foundation (NFF) and U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region announced a new competitive grant program to fund tools and support for nonprofit and public organizations to advance watershed and landscape-scale projects in California. These Community Capacity and Landscape Stewardship (CCLS) grants will support sustainable and diversified job growth and healthy communities and watersheds across the state.

"The water flowing off California's national forests is a precious resource that impacts the daily lives of millions of people," said Regional Forester Randy Moore. "This grant program will allow the Forest Service and the National Forest Foundation to help restore the health and sustainability of these critical watersheds while creating jobs that will improve the lives of Californians."

The CCLS grant program will provide grants of $5,000 to $24,000 to enable community-based organizations and collaborative groups to increase their capacity to facilitate and/or implement watershed or landscape-level restoration projects. An ancillary goal of the program is to build capacity that will help encourage the creation of living-wage jobs.

"Capacity building is one of the major challenges facing nonprofits working around National Forests today," said Vance Russell, NFF spokesperson. "The National Forest Foundation is pleased and thankful to be collaborating with the Forest Service to offer this grants program in California."

Grants will be awarded for a period of one year. Work may take place on or off of National Forests Lands, but there must be a clear, direct benefit to their watersheds. Applicants are not required to match CCLS award funds, but they are encouraged to leverage additional private and local, state, or governmental resources to show broad support for the project.

Proposals are due on or before July 1, 2013 and must be received hard-copy.

The NFF will hold a "Question and Answer Call" May 29 at 1 p.m. PDT to provide information to those interested in requesting a CCLS grant. Check the website call-in information.

For more information and to apply, visit http://nationalforests.org/conserve/grantprograms/capacitybuilding/ccls

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