FY25 Southern Region-IITF LSR Project Proposal Narrative Form.pdf

USDA Forest Service Southern Region State, Private, and Tribal Forestry Fiscal Year 2025 Landscape Scale Restoration Competitive Process

Request for Proposals Project Narrative Form

Project Title: Provide a uniquely descriptive and brief title for this project. Use this full title consistently on all submission communications and documents. Max 75 characters including spaces.

Project Applicant: Enter the name of organization applying for Federal funding.

Project Contact: Name and contact information for lead project contact, i.e., for implementing the project if funded.

Name: Email: Phone:

Address:

State Forester Sponsorship: Please enter the name and email address of the State Forester who is sponsoring this project.

Non-state organizations submitting a proposal must work with a state forestry organization to sponsor their project.

Sponsorship will be verified with the State Forester entered below. Contact information for State Foresters can be found here: https://www.stateforesters.org/who-we-are/our-membership/

Name: Agency:

Email: Phone:

Is this a multistate project (sponsored by more than one State)? Yes No

Multistate collaboration is encouraged, and eligible multi-state projects will receive five bonus points. However, multistate projects must achieve on-the ground results in well-defined discrete project areas as referenced in the Southern Region LSR guidance document. Multistate project areas should not encompass whole states or group of states, but rather resolute areas where on the ground impacts result from the project

If multistate, please select one:

All Federal funds will go directly to the lead State or organization (applicant listed above). The lead State may pass funds to other States or third-party partners to implement components of the project. This is preferred.

Federal funds will go directly to multiple States and/or partners, as indicated in the table below.

https://www.stateforesters.org/who-we-are/our-membership/

If funds will be distributed to more than one state or non-state applicant, please list each agency / organization receiving funds below, along with the total amount per agency / organization and a contact email / phone. Each agency / organization will need to submit a separate budget spreadsheet.

Agency / Organization Name Agency / Organization contact email / phone Funding Amt

Is this a cross-regional project? (i.e., includes sponsors from the Southern Group of State Foresters member states/ territories, as well as from the Northeast-Midwest states and/or Western states.) Yes No

Partnering Organizations: Please list all partnering organizations that will actively participate in this project. Organizations should not be listed unless they have agreed to participate. If additional space is required, please add in the collaboration / cross boundary section.

Partnering Organization Primary contact email

Project Location Reference Point Name:

Lat/Long:

Description:

Area Name:

Boundary Lat/Longs:

Description:

LSR Objectives the Project Addresses (select one or more):

Projects shall prioritize funding and other resources toward one or more of the national LSR objectives below. This is for reference and clarity and not for scoring purposes, e.g., strong projects that address one objective can score just as well as projects that address multiple objectives.

Reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfires.

Improve fish and wildlife habitats, including for threatened and endangered species.

Maintain or improve water quality and watershed function.

Mitigate invasive species, insect infestation, and disease.

Improve important forest ecosystems.

Measure ecological and economic benefits including air quality and soil quality and productivity.

Clearly and concisely respond to each section. For the longer sections we encourage you to include sub-headings, line spacing, and/or other formatting for ease of reading (rather than fill every line with words). You may format text in MS Word and then copy and paste it into this Form. Some text formatting is available in the PDF form, e.g., bold, underline, and italic. To format text in the Form: Highlight the text, right click, and select “Text Style.”

Project Overview/Purpose Statement 4 Points. 1000 Characters including spaces.

Provides a succinct and relevant overview; could easily be used to communicate critical elements and value of the project. Description should include:

• location and importance of landscape;

• landscape need;

• high level overview of main goals, objectives, and deliverables;

• collaboration, boundaries, jurisdictions;

• amount of funds requested and total project value; and

• relationship to Forest Action Plan (or equivalent restoration strategy) and Landscape Objectives.

• incorporate program’s purpose statement “to encourage collaborative, science-based restoration of priority landscapes”

Context, Goals, and Objectives 15 Points. 2000 Characters including spaces.

Context should clearly identify priority landscapes and issues that are the focus of the project. Goals and objectives should be explicitly explained and linked to state Forest Action Plan (or equivalent restoration strategy) priorities and to the Landscape Objectives. The need for treatment of the landscape should be clearly explained, and the goals of the project should be clearly addressed and linked to the needs. Project objectives should be clearly identified, developed, and linked to project goals.

Successful projects will prioritize funding and other resources towards one or more landscape/resource objectives identified below, hereinafter referred to as “Landscape Objectives.” Successful projects will, in many instances, address multiple objectives (see National Guidance and Section 8102(e) of the 2018 Farm Bill). Within the application, please describe all Landscape Objectives addressed by the project.

• Reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfires

• Improve fish and wildlife habitats, including for threatened and endangered species

• Maintain and improve water quality and watershed function

• Mitigate invasive species, insect infestation, and disease

• Improve important forest ecosystems

• Measure ecological and economic benefits including air quality and soil quality and productivity

Proposed Activities 15 Points. 2500 Characters including spaces.

Clearly describes with specificity, activities to be completed with grant funds and leveraged resources. Link specific project activities to funding amounts in the Project Budget and to stated project goals and objectives. Match funds, their source, which goals they support, and specific costs should be well detailed. The financial contributions of partners should be documented clearly under leverage. Projects that leverage funding from multiple entities will be given priority.

Please note: Any research items included in a project description MUST explicitly outline their funding source as non-federal funds. Projects that use SPTF dollars to fund research are considered ineligible. Activities are well planned with a logical sequence and reasonable timeline to achieve project goals.

Project Budget Leverage1

Grant Match Non-Match Source TOTAL

Funds requested Applicant

Non-federal contributors

Applicant, non-federal, and/or federal

3rd Party Contributor

Total project cost

Personnel / Labor:

Fringe Benefits:

Travel:

Equipment:

Supplies:

Contractual:

Construction:

Consolidated2:

Other:

Indirect Costs3:

TOTAL:

1 Leverage includes all three categories: match, non-match, and source. Funds qualifying as “match” must meet the same program requirements as grant funds (e.g., program authorities, non-federal sources). Other “non-match” leveraged funds do not need to meet the same standards (e.g., may include funds for construction, funds from other federal partners). Partnership with other USFS programs outside of State & Private Forestry, as well as other federal and state programs is encouraged.

2 If any part of your match requirement is being covered through a consolidated payment grant (i.e., state spending of non-federal funds on activities that meet SPTF program authorities but are not tied to this proposal), please place it here.

3 Indirect costs must be tied to an established rate. Waived indirect costs are an acceptable source of match.

Deliverables and Outcomes 9 Points. 2000 Characters including spaces.

Deliverables and outcomes are indicated and link to the state Forest Action Plan (or equivalent restoration strategy) priorities, and to the Landscape Objectives.

Clearly lay out deliverables and outcomes and link them to achievement of state Forest Action Plan (or equivalent state-wide restoration strategy) priorities and to the Landscape Objectives. Clearly describe how the selected objectives will lead to measurable outcomes on the landscape and how applicants will measure progress towards those outcomes. Clear articulation of the planned results of these efforts and the metrics by which those results will be measured (e.g., acres treated to reduce hazardous fuels, acres treated for insects and disease, acres of trees and seedlings planted to enhance water quality) will be prioritized for funding. Proposed metrics should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely.

Provide the planned output amount for at least one of the quantitative accomplishment measures listed below:

Deliverables (Quantitative Accomplishments) Output Unit

Acres treated to reduce or mitigate hazardous fuels Acres

Miles of riparian forest treated to improve wildlife habitat Miles

Acres treated to improve wildlife habitat Acres

Acres of trees and seedlings planted to improve water quality Acres

Number of trees, saplings, and/or seedlings planted to improve water quality # of Trees

Miles of riparian forest treated to improve water quality Miles

Acres treated for insects and disease Acres

Acres treated for invasive plants Acres

Acres under new forest management plans Acres

Private landowners reached through technical assistance in more than one interaction, who have benefited in some significant and lasting way # of People

Tons of forest products produced (biomass) Tons

Board feet of forest products produced (timber) Board feet

Collaboration/Cross-Boundary 9 Points. 2000 Characters including spaces.

Proposals should address all elements listed below. Towards this end, it should demonstrate use of coordination and partnerships with complementary state and federal programs to improve outcomes.

• Describes how the project is cross-boundary and clearly identifies partners that are actively engaged and add value towards project planning and implementation.

• Details collaboration, both qualitative and quantitative.

• Demonstrates partnership.

• Conveys that regular meetings/dialogue of partners will be convened.

• Cultivates organization of partners/landowners around common goals/objectives

• Shares funding or resources, and

• Generates commitment to working across boundaries for achievement of the project

High scoring projects may also coordinate with or be proximate to other landscape-scale projects on federal or state land to increase collaboration and overall impact.

Forest Action Plan Integration 9 Points. 1250 Characters including spaces.

Proposal should clearly describe the need for the proposed project and relate it to one or more priority landscapes, issues, areas, or strategies identified in the State Forest Action Plan (or equivalent restoration strategy). Project may additionally, use Forest Stewardship Priority Areas and other state or regional assessments and plans, including those completed by other agencies or partners to help strengthen the identification of priority issues or landscapes. Use of these other documents enhance the case for prioritization, but the linkage to the state Forest Action Plan (or equivalent restoration strategy) must still be clearly established.

Clearly describe how the need for the project is directly linked to the State Forest Action Plan (or equivalent restoration strategy) priorities. Explain that the landscape falls within a priority area identified in the state Forest Action Plan (or equivalent restoration strategies). Describe how project strategies align with strategies identified in state Forest Action Plan (or equivalent restoration strategy).

Innovation 15 Points. 1250 Characters including spaces.

Project is a new approach to addressing landscape objectives and priorities. May include new or updated technology, outreach methods, restoration, or other systems to enhance or move forward SPTF programs. May engage non-traditional landowners, communities, partners, or resources in priority areas.

Sustainability of Outcomes 9 Points. 1250 Characters including spaces Project clearly results in skills and enhanced capacity that extend beyond the life of the project itself. The project will be held up as an example, is replicable, and provides value to others beyond common / typical approaches. Delivery mechanisms are clearly articulated. Include plans already in place or being developed to replicate or expand the project, to build on skills, capabilities, and lessons learned. Projects should describe how others will learn from project implementation including the projects potential to inform practitioners and enhance the effectiveness of similar initiatives. This knowledge and technical transfer need not necessarily be between states but should aim to share innovation across the landscapes of importance as relevant. Provide rationale for why dollars invested will sustain project outcomes into the future beyond project end date. Clearly outline replicability to increase future impact.

Explain how development and/or strengthening of partnerships will also be a means of supporting project outcomes beyond the project end date. Describe how the project results in skills and enhanced capabilities that extend beyond the life of the project. Project displays how this investment will lead to a specific, quantifiable, cost effective, replicable benefit that addresses the priority landscape and issues from the Forest Action Plan (or equivalent statewide restoration strategy), as well as the Landscape Objectives. Describe how project results in resource sharing and cross-boundary/jurisdictional agreements that extend beyond the project period.

Please note: While projects may include a component of outreach, education, and training as a means to achieve the project goals, it should not be the sole outcome.

Cost Effectiveness/ Meaningful Scale 15 Points. 1250 Characters including spaces.

Costs are clearly communicated, reasonable, and consistent with the anticipated activities and outputs. There is significant leveraging through partner investments and/or previous work. Scale of the project is clearly based on and is appropriate for the stated goals, objectives, and outcomes. Detail how the scale is sufficient to address the identified relevant priority landscape and issues from the Forest Action Plan (or equivalent restoration strategy) and the Landscape Objectives being addressed by the project. Clearly articulate the rationale for why the scope is meaningful. A project may also coordinate with or be proximate to other landscape-scale projects on federal or state land as a means of enhancing the scope of the project.

Advancing Equity

6 Bonus Points. 2000 Characters including spaces.

Project supports Executive Order 14008 Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad and the Forest Service’s Equity Action Plan.

The project should include the following elements:

1) A description of the benefiting community or recipient. For example, a description could include demographics, such as socioeconomic status; or vulnerabilities such as health, economic, environmental, and climate impacts faced by the community. Data or evidence should support the proposal. Applicants may consider utilizing the national tools and datasets listed below or provide more localized knowledge such as tribal, state, or local data, to describe the populations and conditions that the project proposes to benefit. When the project locations are not known at the proposal stage, describe if and how equity and serving disadvantaged communities will be considered in selecting project locations/benefiting communities.

2) A description of how the project benefits or engages disadvantaged communities. Benefits may be social, ecological, or economic.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/executive-order-on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad/

Is this a multistate project (sponsored by more than one State)? Yes No