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

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Region 3 (Southwestern Region), awarded the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management $6.35 million under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance program (CFDA 10.664) to deliver consolidated forestry and fire management services from September 11, 2025, through August 30, 2030. The award funds six integrated programs targeting non-federal forest lands across Arizona: the Forest Stewardship Program, which provides technical and financial assistance to non-industrial private forest landowners to improve forest productivity; the Forest Health Protection Program, which enhances the productivity and growth of private, community, and state forests; the Urban & Community Forestry Program, which delivers financial and technical assistance for community tree planning, planting, protection, and maintenance; Landscape Scale Restoration initiatives; State Fire Assistance; and Volunteer Fire Assistance. These programs collectively advance forest resource management, community resilience, and wildfire mitigation capacity across the state's approximately 22 million acres of forestlands and grasslands.

The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management administers sub-awards to local partners, including the Arizona Community Tree Council, Inc., which received a sub-grant effective February 23, 2026, under the Western Bark Beetle Initiative Grant Program to support urban and community forestry activities. Through these coordinated programs and partnerships, the award supports on-the-ground implementation activities, technical assistance, equipment and training for volunteer fire departments, hazardous fuel reduction treatments, invasive species management, and ecosystem restoration work designed to enhance forest health, reduce wildfire risk, and strengthen rural and urban communities throughout Arizona.

Many of these programs provide direct support to non-industrial private forest landowners. Also included are state fire assistance and volunteer fire assistance funds. Programs include forest stewardship program, forest health protection program, urban & community forestry program, landscape scale restoration, state fire assistance and volunteer fire assistance. Forest stewardship works directly with the states non-industrial private landowners to improve forest resource productivity. The forest health program ensures the productivity and growth of the states private, community, and state forests. Urban and community forestry program, provides financial, technical, educational, and related assistance to state foresters to assist communities to plan urban forestry programs and to plant, protect, maintain and utilize wood from community trees and forests to maximize environmental and economic benefits. Fire is a cornerstone of the national cohesive strategy and a key component of shared stewardship partnerships. As an integral component for wildland fire operations, state fire assistance and volunteer fire assistance will be utilized to increase wildland fire suppress capacity across the state.