Community Forests Program

The Community Forests Program is administered by the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office and is funded through the sale of state bonds. The program is designed to help communities preserve working forestlands in response to increasing development pressures as population growth continues across Washington State. It emphasizes the long-term protection of forests that provide multiple benefits, including economic returns from sustainable timber use, environmental resilience against climate impacts, and opportunities for public recreation, education, and cultural enrichment. The primary objective of the program is to support the acquisition of forestland that will remain as working forests in perpetuity. All funded projects must include the purchase of land, ensuring permanent conservation status. In addition to acquisition, projects may incorporate restoration activities such as improving forest health, reforestation, or habitat enhancement, as well as development activities like building trails, campgrounds, or interpretive facilities. However, restoration and development components cannot stand alone and must be tied directly to land acquisition efforts. Funding for the program totals approximately 6.2 million dollars, with individual grant awards capped at 3 million dollars. Applicants are required to provide a minimum match of 15 percent of the total project cost. Matching contributions may include a wide range of sources such as cash, bonds, donated land, labor, equipment, materials, and other public or private grants. Certain pre-agreement costs, such as earnest money applied toward land purchases, may also be considered eligible under updated program guidance. Eligible applicants include a broad range of public and nonprofit entities. These include city and county governments, special purpose districts such as park or utility districts, public development authorities, Native American tribes, nonprofit conservation organizations, and state agencies working in partnership with eligible entities. This inclusive eligibility framework reflects the program’s emphasis on collaborative conservation and public benefit. The application process follows a structured timeline beginning with an application opening and webinar in February, followed by a submission deadline at the end of April. Applications undergo a technical review by staff, followed by a completion deadline for any required corrections. Projects are then evaluated through a written review process, after which a ranked list is submitted for board approval in October. Successful applicants must complete land acquisition within a defined timeframe, typically within eighteen months of board approval for certain project types. Evaluation criteria are not explicitly detailed in the provided materials but are implied to include technical completeness, alignment with program goals, and project feasibility. The program also outlines clear restrictions on ineligible activities, including condemnation-based land acquisition, indoor facility construction, routine maintenance, and unrelated environmental cleanup. All awarded properties are subject to a long-term obligation requiring that they remain forestlands indefinitely, ensuring lasting public and environmental benefits. The program operates on an annual cycle based on the provided schedule, with recurring funding rounds expected each year. While no specific contact information is listed in the source material, applicants are directed to program manuals, application resources, and webinar recordings to guide their submissions. Overall, the Community Forests Program represents a significant state-level investment in conservation, balancing ecological preservation with community access and sustainable land use.

Ensure project includes required land acquisition component and aligns with conservation and recreation goals