The Fiscal Year 2025 Forest and Woodlands Resource Management Grant from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) aims to promote forest health and sustainability in Colorado. This initiative, funded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), supports high-priority projects addressing forest resilience to wildfires, insect outbreaks, disease, and drought. Other eligible activities include biomass utilization, habitat conservation, reforestation, fuels reduction, and the restoration of upland and riparian ecosystems. The program emphasizes active management, sustainable forest practices, and partnerships that benefit public lands.

The total funding available for this opportunity is $120,000, with a minimum award of $100,000 and no cost-sharing requirement. Projects must align with BLM’s strategic goals, such as using science-based methods for forest restoration, supporting sustainable wood product industries, and expediting environmental review processes under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Additional priorities include contributing to the Biden Administration’s Executive Orders on climate action, racial equity, economic recovery, and sustainable infrastructure development.

Eligible applicants include state and local governments, special district governments, public and private higher education institutions, Native American tribal governments and organizations, and nonprofits. Individuals and for-profit organizations are not eligible. Collaborative proposals addressing national or multi-state needs are encouraged, and applicants must demonstrate a clear public benefit from their projects. To ensure alignment, prospective applicants are urged to consult BLM’s forest and woodland program leads before submission.

Applications are submitted through Grants.gov, with a deadline of February 3, 2025, at 5:00 PM ET. Required documentation includes a federal assistance form (SF-424), a project narrative, and a detailed budget narrative, among other forms. Proposals must include details about project objectives, methods, anticipated outcomes, stakeholder involvement, and compliance with environmental laws. Applications must also adhere to formatting and length requirements as specified in the notice.

The review process evaluates eligibility, merit, and alignment with federal priorities. Proposals will be scored on criteria such as technical approach, public benefit, applicant qualifications, and the leveraging of resources. Successful applicants will be notified electronically, and projects may begin as early as August 1, 2025, with an anticipated end date by July 31, 2029. Awards will be administered under cooperative agreements, ensuring substantial BLM involvement.

Post-award requirements include regular financial and performance reporting, adherence to federal policies, and compliance with the Buy America provisions for infrastructure projects. BLM will also oversee the use of geospatial data and ensure compliance with federal standards. This grant supports the BLM’s broader goals of creating a conservation legacy, fostering sustainable resource use, and enhancing public lands management.