This grant is awarded with annually appropriated funds to state forestry agencies to fund multiple programs authorized in the cooperative forestry assistance act (16 USC 2101 ET SEQ)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Eastern Region (Region 9) awarded $1,523,866 to the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation on May 28, 2025, under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance program (CFDA 10.664). This Project Grant will fund multiple forestry assistance programs through September 30, 2029, including the Forest Stewardship Program, Forest Health Protection Program, Urban & Community Forestry Program, State Fire Assistance, Volunteer Fire Capacity Assistance, and landscape-scale restoration or wildfire reduction projects. The funding supports direct assistance to non-industrial private forest landowners and strengthens Vermont's forestry management and conservation capabilities across state and private forest lands.

Under this award, Vermont's state forestry agency will deliver technical assistance, forest health monitoring, wildfire prevention and suppression support, and restoration services to rural communities and private landowners. The grant enables the agency to advance forest resource management objectives aligned with Vermont's Forest Action Plan priorities, including hazardous fuels reduction, invasive species mitigation, and ecosystem restoration. These services support both the management of approximately 500 million acres of non-federal forest lands nationwide and Vermont's specific goals of promoting healthy forests and livable communities through cooperative partnerships with private landowners and local stakeholders.

Many of these programs provide direct support to non-industrial private forest landowners. Grants may be awarded as consolidated program grants (CPG) or as individual program grants at the state's preference. Programs using base funding include: forest stewardship program, forest health protection program, urban & community forestry program, state fire assistance, volunteer fire capacity assistance, landscape scale restoration projects or wildfire reduction projects.