The National Forest Foundation is thrilled to announce the launch of the Collaborative Capacity Program for Forests & Communities (CCP). The CCP is a new program that builds capacity within and across collaborative groups to achieve forest stewardship goals in ways that are most inclusive and equitable. The program views collaboration as a cornerstone for sustained and adaptive forest restoration, recreation, and wildfire resilience projects.
Requests for proposals for the financial awards program are now open through July 12, 2024, at 11:59pm (MDT). Financial awards available through the CCP will provide resources, invest in skills and tools, and support activities that make Tribal co-stewardship and collaboration for forest stewardship successful. Eligible collaborative efforts must describe how investments in collaboration will support a long-term strategy for achieving stewardship outcomes into the future and these outcomes must seek to benefit National Forest System lands. There are two funding pathways — one for Tribal Applicants and one for All Applicants.
Further, the Collaborative Capacity Program will provide technical assistance for collaboration at multiple scales, from the local, collaborative group scale to regional and national networks scale. More information on technical assistance is forthcoming and can be found on the program’s webpage here. For more information on the Collaborative Capacity Program offerings and registration information for upcoming informational webinars, please visit the National Forest Foundation’s Collaborative Capacity Program webpage.
The design and development of this program was influenced by an Advisory Committee with a broad range of perspectives and experience, including those involved with rural capacity building, Tribal co-stewardship practices, outdoor recreation and equitable access, collaborative conservation, and more. This program will continue to evolve and learn from the communities it aims to serve.
Sarah Di Vittorio, Conservation Connect Director with the National Forest Foundation, shares “By working together, we can better achieve shared goals like healthy fire-resilient forests, high-quality recreational opportunities, safe and resilient communities, and strong local economies. This program will invest in collaboration that leads to positive outcomes for people, communities, and forests.”
Contact information: Jaimie Baxter (Collaborative Capacity Program Manager) and Rebecca Brickner (Conservation Awards Coordinator) – collab-capacity@nationalforests.org – 360.899.0962
Join Jaimie Baxter and Rebecca Brickner from the National Forest Foundation to learn more about this new program, if your collaborative work might be eligible for funding, and how to apply at the May 29th Western Collaborative Conservation Network’s All-Partner’s Webinar: https://collaborativeconservation.org/events/wccn-all-partners-webinar-national-forest-foundations-collaborative-capacity-program-for-forests-communities/
