Wildfires Restoration Grant Program

The California Forests and Watersheds – Wildfires Restoration Grant Program is a targeted funding initiative administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in cooperation with the Angeles National Forest. The purpose of the program is to restore ecosystems and improve ecological resilience within areas of the Angeles National Forest degraded by two specific past wildfire events: the Copper Fire (2002) and the Sayre Fire (2008). These restoration efforts are aligned with the broader 2024 Copper and Sayre Fire Restoration Strategy and seek to enhance forest health, manage invasive species, and support species and watershed recovery. The program encourages strategic and implementable restoration projects that promote shared stewardship and landscape-level ecological benefits. This competitive grant program supports both planning and implementation projects that align with defined programmatic strategies. Funded activities may include hydrologic restoration, aquatic invasive species removal, pollutant reduction, forest and upland restoration, native seed harvesting and planting, invasive vegetation treatment, fuel break maintenance, species-specific habitat restoration, and public use area rehabilitation. Special focus is given to projects addressing needs arising directly from fire impacts, particularly those providing long-term ecological improvements on federal National Forest System lands. Activities must take place within watersheds affected by the Copper and Sayre fires and must demonstrate a clear nexus to fire-related degradation. Applicants may request funding in any amount, although proposals exceeding $350,000 must include strong justification and are advised to coordinate with NFWF staff prior to submission. All proposals must include a non-federal matching contribution of at least 50 percent to be competitive, with higher match ratios viewed favorably. Match may include cash, in-kind services, volunteer hours, or materials, and must directly support project outcomes. Indirect costs may be included according to NFWF’s published policies. Projects typically have a 24-month period of performance, though longer durations may be granted with appropriate justification, including the possibility of phasing across multiple funding cycles. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, state and local government entities, educational institutions, Indian tribes, and select federal agencies engaged in research. Ineligible applicants include for-profit businesses, unincorporated individuals, and international organizations. Applications must be submitted through the Easygrants system, and all applicants are encouraged to review the program’s Tip Sheet and associated guidance documents prior to applying. Multiple proposals may be submitted by a single applicant. Evaluation criteria emphasize alignment with program goals, measurable conservation outcomes, sound technical approaches, budget efficiency, and meaningful community and partner engagement. Applications must include quantifiable metrics using the Easygrants platform and comply with all relevant regulatory, permitting, and reporting requirements. Additional compliance with NEPA, the Endangered Species Act, and permitting regulations may be necessary depending on the nature of the project. The application portal opens on August 4, 2025, with a full proposal deadline of October 3, 2025, at 8:59 PM Pacific Time. Awards are expected to be announced by January 15, 2026. The program encourages applicants to contact NFWF Program Manager Jorge Nunez to discuss project ideas and confirm alignment with program priorities. Contacts for program and application support include Chris Morrill (Program Director), Jorge Nunez (Program Manager), Alexander Bobeczko (Program Coordinator), and Jonathan Birdsong (Regional Director), with all proposals submitted through the Easygrants online system.

Applicants are encouraged to contact Jorge Nunez before applying, match contributions should be maximized, and spatial data must be accurate. Read the Tip Sheet and ensure alignment with program goals.