Great Lakes Restoration Initiative: Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program

Federally recognized Indian Tribes, local government entities, and qualified nonprofit organizations may apply for up to $1,000,000 in federal funding through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative: Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program to acquire fee simple title to privately owned forest land in Michigan and Wisconsin within the designated Terrestrial Habitat Connectivity Pilot Area. Eligible properties must be at least five acres in size, with a minimum of 75 percent forest cover, and face a demonstrable threat of conversion to non-forest uses such as development or fragmentation. Proposals must show how the acquisition will generate substantial community benefits across economic, environmental, educational, and recreational domains while enhancing habitat connectivity and resilience for native aquatic and terrestrial species critical to the Lake Superior ecosystem. Competitive applications will emphasize measurable public value, robust community engagement strategies, and alignment with broader landscape-scale conservation goals. Applicants must provide a detailed project narrative no longer than eight pages, two accompanying maps, eligibility documentation, and a completed SF-424 form, all submitted electronically via Grants.gov by December 8, 2026. A mandatory 50 percent non-federal cost share is required, which may include cash, in-kind contributions, or pre-award due diligence expenses—excluding land purchase costs—and must be verifiable under 2 CFR 200. Within 120 days of acquisition, recipients must submit a final Community Forest Plan and a GIS shapefile of the conserved land, along with annual performance reports detailing conserved acres, economic impacts, public access metrics, and ecological outcomes. Public access must be provided unless a compelling justification is submitted for limitations, and all public communications must acknowledge USDA support as required by federal regulations. The award is granted as a federal financial assistance instrument, not a procurement contract, and is subject to risk review for awards exceeding $350,000. Only after execution of the formal Federal award document may work commence, and project sites cannot be substituted without prior approval. The Forest Service retains oversight authority, and compliance with the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act and other federal administrative requirements governs all aspects of implementation.