This grant is the award instrument through which the united states department of agriculture works with and through new york to cooperatively set priorities for and implement management programs on…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, Region 9 - Eastern Region, awarded $232,000 to the New York State Urban & Community Forestry Council (NYSUFC) on June 23, 2025, under the Urban and Community Forestry Program (CFDA 10.675). This five-year Project Grant, extending through March 31, 2030, supports cooperative forest management initiatives across New York State that benefit both state, private, and municipal forest lands and broader federal forest health objectives. The award funds NYSUFC's delivery of direct technical and financial assistance to non-federal land managers, private forest landowners, municipalities, and producers to address critical forest management priorities including wildfire mitigation and prevention, forest health protection from damaging insects and diseases, timber production, and comprehensive forest stewardship.

Under this award, NYSUFC implements strategic urban and community forestry programs designed to improve environmental quality and enhance community well-being. The organization provides planning, establishment, management, and protection services for trees and green spaces in urban and community settings while delivering educational initiatives and workforce development activities. Key outputs include coordination of the annual RELEAF Conference and facilitation of comprehensive forestry planning and management programs across New York municipalities and communities, enabling stakeholders to access technical assistance and resources necessary to advance sustainable forest health and ecosystem services at the local and state levels.

This grant is the award instrument through which the united states department of agriculture works with and through new york to cooperatively set priorities for and implement management programs on state, private, and municipal forest lands that directly and indirectly benefit the health of federal forest land and the nations forests. Through this award, direct assistance is provided to non-federal land managers, producers, private forest landowners, and municipalities to fight fires, reduce fire risk, fight damaging insects and diseases, produce timber, and steward their forests. As this award funds a program of work that will cross multiple state fiscal years for subaward and contracting efforts, this award requires a 5-year timeline for full accomplishment.