This award is the primary instrument through which the forest service works with and through ohio to cooperatively set priorities for and implement management programs on state, private, and municipal…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Region 9 (Eastern Region), awarded $4,257,672 to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry on August 13, 2025, under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance program (CFDA 10.664). This project grant, which extends through June 30, 2030, supports integrated forest management and conservation activities across Ohio's non-federal forest lands. The award funds six primary components: the Forest Stewardship Program, Forest Health Protection Program, Urban and Community Forestry Program, State Fire Capacity Program, Volunteer Fire Capacity Program, and a Wildfire Risk Reduction Project. These initiatives work collectively to enhance the health and resilience of Ohio's forests while indirectly benefiting federal forest lands and national forest resources.

Through this funding mechanism, the Division of Forestry provides direct technical and financial assistance to non-federal land managers, private forest landowners, municipalities, and producers to accomplish critical forestry objectives. Key services delivered include wildfire prevention, suppression, and risk mitigation; forest health protection through invasive species and damaging pest management; timber production support; forest stewardship and management planning; and urban and community forestry initiatives. This cooperative arrangement positions Ohio's state forestry agency as the primary implementing partner for USDA Forest Service priorities on the approximately 500 million acres of non-federal forest lands nationwide, enabling coordinated management that strengthens local economies and maintains community resilience across the state.

This award is the primary instrument through which the forest service works with and through ohio to cooperatively set priorities for and implement management programs on state, private, and municipal forest lands that directly and indirectly benefit the health of federal forest land and the nation's forests. This award consists of the forest stewardship program, forest health protection program, urban and community forestry program, state fire capacity program, volunteer fire capacity program, as well as a wildfire risk reduction project. Through this award, direct assistance is provided to non-federal land managers, producers, private forest landowners, and municipalities to fight fires, reduce fire risk, fight damaging insects and diseases, produce timber, and steward their forests.