Forest and Grassland Collaboratives

Provide support for forest or grassland collaboratives in the accomplishment of activities beneficial to the public, National Forest System, Federal Lands, and adjacent non-Federal lands.

To improve Federal investments, resources, and lands using collaborative-based methodologies that include but is not limited to risk mitigation, facilitation, planning, project implementation, technical assistance, operational support, participant support costs, and other capacity support as identified by the U.S. Forest Service. Primary to the objectives of this listing is the protection, restoration, and improvements of public access to Federal lands.

Eligible recipients are Indian tribal entities (defined at 25 U.S.C. 5304(e)), state government, local governments, private and nonprofit entities, for-profit organizations, and educational institutions

Forest and grassland collaboratives, which means groups of individuals or entities with diverse interests participating in a cooperative process to share knowledge, ideas, and resources about the protection, restoration, or enhancement of natural and other resources on Federal and adjacent non-Federal lands, the improvement or maintenance of public access to Federal lands, or the reduction of risk to such lands caused by natural disasters.

Funds awarded under this program may be used to support forest or grassland collaboratives in the accomplishment of activities benefitting both the public and the National Forest System, Federal lands and adjacent non-Federal lands. Eligible activities are those that will improve or enhance Federal investments, resources, or lands, including for collaborative and collaboration-based activities, including but not limited to facilitation, planning, and implementing projects, technical assistance, administrative functions, operational support, participant costs, and other capacity support needs, as identified by the Forest Service.

Awards issued under this program generally may not exceed five years in duration, unless otherwise authorized by the agency.

The U.S. Forest Service may approach or be approached by a potential partner to enter into a partnership or cooperative agreement. Any party may initiate discussions to enter into an agreement.

Proposals will be evaluated to determine if they followed the administrative requirements of the program and the proposal format described in the Request for Applications.

Partnership Agreements and their supporting documentation are negotiated and drafted in collaboration with prospective partners prior to execution of the agreement. Discussions cover at a minimum, the appropriate statutory authority; a description of the project, including methodology and technical specifications and deliverables; contributions and the responsibilities of the parties; the financial plan; the period of performance; monitoring and financial reporting. Regardless of who initiates discussions, all elements of a project are subject to negotiation. Any party may terminate the agreement at any time. Except for provisions necessary for legal compliance, all elements of a partnership agreement are subject to negotiation and modification. Both parties are expected to negotiate, resolve, and document differences in cost and/or proposed work in writing. None of the parties should perform work outside the scope of the existing instrument or in excess of the funding prior to the execution of the original award or subsequent modifications.