Delivers technical, educational, and financial assistance statewide through cooperative programs to care for, protect, and improve forest and natural resources to improve quality of life now and for…

North Dakota State University, operating through its North Dakota Forest Service division, received a $587,693.86 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service Region 1 – Northern Region under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance program (CFDA 10.664). The award, effective August 13, 2025 through July 31, 2030, supports the implementation of prioritized strategies outlined in the North Dakota Forest Action Plan to advance forest resource management and conservation on non-federal forest and rural lands throughout the state.

The grant funds technical, educational, and financial assistance delivered through cooperative programs designed to care for, protect, and improve forest and natural resources. Primary deliverables address four critical priority issues identified in the state action plan: reducing vulnerability to wildland fire; mitigating impacts from native and invasive tree pests; addressing natural disturbance alterations; and strengthening societal engagement with forests and natural resources. These services support the broader Cooperative Forestry Assistance program objectives of enhancing forest health, reducing wildfire risk, and promoting sustainable land management practices that benefit rural community resilience and quality of life across North Dakota.

Delivers technical, educational, and financial assistance statewide through cooperative programs to care for, protect, and improve forest and natural resources to improve quality of life now and for future generations. This funding will assist in carrying out prioritized strategies in the state forest action plan. This grant will address the following north dakota forest action plan priority issues. Reduce vulnerability to damaging agents and trends including: wildland fire. Native and invasive tree pests, natural disturbance alterations and societal disconnect from forests and natural resources.