This program provides administration of the state forest action plan

The South Dakota Department of Public Safety, SD Wildland Fire Division, received a $190,969.00 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Region 2 - Rocky Mountain Region, under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance program (CFDA 10.664). The award, effective August 27, 2025, through August 25, 2030, supports administration of South Dakota's State Forest Action Plan through strategic forestry goal development and implementation. Primary deliverables include provision of technical assistance and education to address forest management and forest health concerns throughout the state, with funding allocated for personnel, travel costs, and sub-awards to support local project implementation.

This five-year cooperative forestry initiative aligns with the broader Cooperative Forestry Assistance program's focus on advancing forest resource management and conservation on non-federal forest and rural lands. The grant enables the state forestry agency to strengthen forest health, reduce wildfire risk, and support community resilience through collaborative landscape-scale efforts, consistent with the program's emphasis on partnerships between state agencies, private landowners, and rural communities to promote healthy forests and livable communities across South Dakota's forest resource base.

Strategic forestry goals are developed and implemented. Technical assistance and education for forest management and forest health concerns will be provided throughout the state. Funding will be used for personnel, travel and sub-awards to complete local projects.