A consolidated program grant contains multiple programs

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection received a $1,962,488 Cooperative Forestry Assistance (CFDA 10.664) project grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Eastern Region, awarded May 21, 2025, with a completion date of December 31, 2029. This consolidated program grant encompasses four integrated forestry initiatives: the State Fire Capacity Program, which provides financial and technical assistance to state foresters for wildfire preparedness, hazard mitigation, training, and prevention activities; the Forest Health Program, which conducts pest detection, monitoring, and surveillance on non-federal lands to support New Jersey's State Forest Action Plan; the Forest Stewardship Program, which promotes long-term stewardship of non-federal, non-industrial private forests through resource management assistance and seedling programs; and the Urban and Community Forestry Program, which delivers technical, educational, and financial support to communities statewide to maximize forest resource benefits.

These programs collectively support comprehensive forest management and conservation across approximately 500 million acres of non-federal forest lands nationally, with activities designed to advance forest health, reduce wildfire risk, strengthen local economies, and enhance community resilience throughout New Jersey. The funding enables the state forestry agency to serve as the primary implementer of federal forest conservation objectives through partnerships with private landowners, municipalities, non-profit organizations, and other state and local entities.

This award contains state fire capacity program providing financial, technical and related assistance to state foresters and state officials to address preparedness needs and hazard mitigation including training, planning and wildfire prevention. Funding for the forest health program will be used to assist in the management of non-federal lands through the detection of pests including insects and disease, monitoring activities and evaluation of overall forest health. Activities include pest trend analysis and conducting arial and ground surveillance to provide information in support of new jersey's state forest action plan. Forest stewardship program seeks to promote and encourage the long-term stewardship of non-federal, non-industrial private forests in new jersey. Funding will provide forestry assistance through resource management and stewardship programs and support seedling programs. Urban and community forestry program provides technical, educational and financial assistance to communities throughout the state to maximize the benefits of forest resources.