Consolidated program grants to state forestry agencies are awarded with annually appropriated funds to state forestry agencies to fund multiple programs authorized in the cooperative forestry…

On September 10, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, Region 2 (Rocky Mountain Region), awarded a $7.62 million Project Grant to the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance program (CFDA 10.664). This consolidated program grant funds multiple forestry programs authorized under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act, with performance extending through August 29, 2030. The award supports forest resource management and conservation activities on non-federal forest lands in Nebraska, including hazardous fuels reduction, forest health monitoring and restoration, invasive species and forest pest mitigation, and technical assistance to non-industrial private forest landowners.

The University of Nebraska will deliver programs and services that advance forest health, reduce wildfire risk, and support rural community resilience across Nebraska's non-federal forest lands. Additionally, the grant encompasses State Fire Assistance and Volunteer Fire Assistance funds, which strengthen state and local fire response capacity. As a land-grant research institution, the University of Nebraska leverages its multidisciplinary expertise and established relationships with state forestry agencies, private landowners, and community partners to implement landscape-scale restoration initiatives and provide direct technical support aligned with Nebraska's forest management priorities and State Forest Action Plan objectives.

Consolidated program grants to state forestry agencies are awarded with annually appropriated funds to state forestry agencies to fund multiple programs authorized in the cooperative forestry assistance act. Many of these programs provide direct support to non-industrial private forest landowners. Also included are state fire assistance and volunteer fire assistance funds.