National Urban and Community Forestry Action Plan 2027-2037 RFP

Application website will be open starting August 1, 2024

Award amount is based on availability of funding. Award amount is not to exceed $300,000. Award will be based on the merit of the proposal.

Proposals are due September 13, 2024. Project is to be completed by January 30, 2026

Application Website: https://nucfac-ten-year-action-plan-grant.urbanandcommunityforests.org

Link to RFP: https://nucfac.org/forms/Final%20%20NUCFAC%20RFP%206_17_2024%20ADA%20V05_.pdf

Congress established the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (Council) to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on issues related to the nations urban and community forests and related natural resources. The Council is charged by law (P.L. 95-313 Section 9 as amended through PL 110-246, [16

U.S.C. 2105](g)(1)(A)) with developing a ten-year action plan; providing annual accomplishments for the action plan and assisting the U.S. Forest Service in establishing categories and recommendations for award to the agency’s competitive National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost-Share Grant Program .

The current National Urban and Community Forestry Ten-year Action plan (Action Plan) will expire at the end of 2026. To prepare for the next ten-year action plan, the Forest Service is requesting proposals from qualified organizations/entities to coordinate, facilitate and manage a collaborative and comprehensive process for the development of the next ten-year Action Plan.

PROPOSAL REQUEST:

Coordinate, facilitate, and manage a collaborative and comprehensive process for the development of the next National Urban and Community Forestry Ten Year Action Plan (2027-2037). This includes publishing and rollout assistance.

The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council’s authorizing legislation requires the Council to prepare a National Urban and Community Forestry Action Plan every ten years. The current Action Plan, 2016-2026, is to be updated by January 30, 2026, for the Council to meet its mandate.

The Forest Service is seeking proposals from qualified organizations/entities to conduct a current assessment, and review and identify emerging issues of the nation’s urban forest resources and the urban and community forestry programs and activities conducted by Federal and State agencies, nonprofit organizations, community and civic organizations and other interested parties across the country.

Funds are to support the development of a National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council’s Ten-Year Action Plan, 2027-2037 as mandated by Congress. The award will be based on the availability of funding, which may be subject to change. The maximum award amount may not to exceed $300,000.

Proposals will be expected to address the following key elements, through implementation of the scope and criteria below. This will also include incorporating the Council’s comments and recommendations.

Key Elements:

1)    Work with the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council and the Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry staff throughout the process for input and guidance.

2)    Assess the current Action Plan’s accomplishments, gaps, and items to carry over into the next Action Plan.

3)    Summarize the status of urban forest resources in the United States. This is to include the human dimension of urban forestry as well as the urban natural resources.

4)    A review of urban and community forestry related programs and activities in the United States, including education and technical assistance activities conducted by:

-        the Department of Agriculture, and other Federal agencies,

-       the State forestry organizations,

-       private industry,

-       nonprofit organizations, community and civic organizations

-       Indian Nation and Indigenous communities, and

-       interested others.

5)    Facilitate and integrate applicable public engagement recommendations for improving the status of the Nation’s urban and community forest resources, including education and technical assistance and modifications required in existing programs and policies of relevant Federal agencies.

6)    A review of the urban and community forestry research, documents including--

a)     a review of all past five years of research and ongoing research associated with urban and community forests, arboricultural practices, urban forest management, work with disadvantaged communities, and the economic, social, and psychological benefits of trees and forest cover in urban and community environments being conducted by the Forest Service, other Federal agencies, and associated land grant colleges and universities.

b)    recommendations for new and expanded research efforts directed to and by the Forest Service Research, other Federal agencies, and associated land grant colleges and universities; around urban and community forestry concerns identified by this Action Plan; and

c)     a summary of research priorities and an estimate of the funds needed to implement such research, on an annual basis, by the Forest Service Research, other Federal agencies, and associated land grant colleges and universities; for the next ten years.

7)    An estimate of the financial and technical resources needed to implement the National Urban and Community Forestry Action Plan and the Urban and Community Forestry Program for the succeeding 10 fiscal years.

Education

• Private institutions of higher education
• Public and state institutions of higher education
• Independent school districts

Government

• County governments
• Public and Indian housing authorities
• City or township governments
• Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
• State governments
• Special district governments

Nonprofit

• Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)