Community and Watershed Forestry Program

The Community and Watershed Forestry Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), is a state-level initiative aimed at supporting sustainable forestry practices across Pennsylvania. This program is part of the broader Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) for the 2026–2027 grant cycle. It is designed to offer financial assistance to entities engaged in identifying and improving areas requiring riparian forest buffers, conversion of lawns to native habitats, and urban and community tree planting efforts. These efforts are integral to improving water quality, reducing the impact of lawn maintenance, promoting biodiversity, and strengthening community resilience through green infrastructure. The program supports several project types: riparian forest buffers, lawn-to-habitat conversions, and urban and community forestry initiatives. Riparian buffers involve planting trees, shrubs, and grasses alongside streams to reduce runoff pollution and support aquatic ecosystems. Lawn-to-habitat projects focus on converting traditionally maintained lawns into upland forests or native perennial meadows to decrease mowing impacts and enhance water infiltration. The urban and community forestry component emphasizes building local capacity to manage, maintain, and expand urban tree canopies, fostering environmental education, and improving public spaces. Applicants must be one of the following: county or municipal governments, higher education institutions, other educational institutions, or nonprofit organizations holding 501(c)(3) IRS status and PA Bureau of Charitable Organizations registration. Projects can be conducted on multiple planting sites under one application but are encouraged to focus on a single practice type unless they are part of a combined effort on a single property. The applicant does not need to secure sites or landowners at the time of submission, although projects with shovel-ready status—meaning committed sites or landowners—will receive stronger evaluations. Each grant award must be at least $50,000, and a 20% match is required, which may be met through either cash or non-cash contributions. While a soft cap of $250,000 is suggested, the Department reserves the right to award higher amounts depending on available funding and project scope. All applicants conducting riparian buffer or lawn-to-habitat projects must commit to 25-year landowner agreements detailing maintenance obligations. Urban and community forestry projects do not require landowner agreements but must take place on publicly accessible land and include a stewardship program to ensure tree survivability. Applicants are expected to follow federal, state, and local regulations and procurement procedures, and install funding acknowledgment signage for public projects. Applications are due by 4:00 PM Eastern Time on April 30, 2026. A Unique Entity ID (UEI) and Non-Procurement Vendor ID are required to apply. Prospective applicants should contact their DCNR Regional Advisor for project-specific assistance and ensure all elements on the "Ready-to-Go" checklist are completed. This includes securing letters of commitment for matching funds, finalizing the project scope and budget, and submitting the appropriate grant agreement and resolution pages. The application process is managed through DCNR’s online portal, where additional resources such as tutorial videos and technical documents are available. Projects that meet eligibility criteria and demonstrate clear environmental and community benefits will be prioritized during the evaluation phase.

Projects that have secured planting sites or landowners will score higher; applicants should demonstrate shovel-ready status where possible.