The Landscape Scale Restoration (LSR) Competitive Process for FY 2025, supported by the USDA Forest Service, seeks proposals from eligible entities to address high-priority forest and ecosystem restoration needs. This funding opportunity focuses on collaborative, science-based restoration projects across the western U.S. and the Pacific Islands, aligned with state and regional Forest Action Plans. Proposals must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. MT on November 15, 2024, and each state may forward up to five applications for consideration. Eligible applicants include state and territorial forestry agencies, local governments, federally recognized Tribes, nonprofit organizations, Alaska Native Corporations, and universities. The program also offers a separate national application process for Tribes through Grants.gov.

Key objectives of the LSR program include promoting cross-boundary collaboration and science-based restoration to improve water quality, watershed health, wildlife habitat, wildfire resilience, invasive species management, and overall forest ecosystem health. Priority will be given to projects that engage diverse landowners, coordinate with federal or state programs, leverage funding from multiple sources, and benefit disadvantaged or underserved communities. Projects must focus on non-federal lands; however, they may coordinate with federal lands, provided no LSR funds are used on these lands. Proposals should demonstrate alignment with at least one of the program’s Landscape Objectives, including wildfire risk reduction, habitat improvement, invasive species control, or watershed management.

Eligible activities include but are not limited to: hazardous fuels reduction, forest health treatments, reforestation, invasive species control, technical assistance to private landowners, and education or outreach that supports restoration goals. Projects must clearly align with a State Forest Action Plan (SFAP) or equivalent restoration strategy, detailing how they will achieve meaningful, measurable outcomes. Multi-year projects are permitted, but applicants must compete for funding for each phase separately if a single project year cannot encompass all objectives.

Applications must be completed through the online portal provided by the Western Forestry Leadership Coalition, and each proposal requires a detailed project narrative, budget, and evidence of matching funds. A 1:1 non-federal match is generally required, though some Pacific Island applicants may have different matching obligations. Each proposal should also include GIS coordinates for project sites, a description of the community benefits, and evidence of cross-boundary collaboration. To enhance competitiveness, projects that prioritize technical assistance, leverage multiple funding sources, and show active community involvement will be favored.

Evaluation criteria include project feasibility, alignment with regional restoration strategies, measurable ecological or economic outcomes, cross-boundary collaboration, and benefits to underserved communities. Successful proposals will be scored on these criteria by a review team and ranked, with final funding decisions subject to USDA appropriations. Following the selection, awardees must submit annual performance reports and record project accomplishments within the LaSR database, adhering to USDA monitoring and reporting guidelines.

Applicants are encouraged to review the National LSR Manual and the Western Guidance for detailed information on project requirements, eligible activities, matching requirements, and program objectives. Priority consideration will be given to projects that support sustainable, long-term forest and community health across priority landscapes.