Forest Legacy Grants
The Forest Legacy Grants program funds the permanent conservation of California’s working forests at risk of development, supporting sustainable management, habitat protection, and carbon sequestration through conservation easements.
Funder: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Due Dates (Anticipated): September 2026: State lead agencies submit project proposals to Region (Step 1) | September 2026: Regions send project list and State Matrix to Washington Office (Step 2) | November 2026: National Forest Legacy Program Review Panel meeting (start & end) | June 2027: California submission: Applications and readiness documentation due to CAL FIRE | June 2027: Applicants must input project briefs into FLIS | August 2027: Final edits to FLIS brief due to CAL FIRE
Funding Amounts: Typical total funding per cycle is $9–14M; individual awards and number of awards are variable. Federal requests per state capped at $20M for 1–5 projects; 25% non-federal match required for federal program.
Summary: Supports the permanent conservation of working forests in California threatened by development, through acquisition of conservation easements or land title.
Key Information: This is a forecasted opportunity; all due dates are projected and subject to change.
Description
The Forest Legacy Grants program, administered by CAL FIRE in partnership with the USDA Forest Service, is designed to protect California's environmentally important forest lands at risk of conversion to non-forest uses. The program accomplishes this by acquiring conservation easements or fee title of productive forest lands, prioritizing properties that deliver sustainable timber production, wildlife habitat, recreation, watershed protection, and carbon sequestration. The primary tool is the Working Forest Conservation Easement (WFCE), which restricts development and promotes sustainable management and long-term stewardship. Both state and federal funding streams are available, with the federal component requiring a 25% non-federal match. The program is voluntary and open to landowners, nonprofits, and tribal governments interested in conserving working forests for future generations.
