THE SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY INITIATIVE URBAN FOREST IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM

Urban forests are essential for the health and well-being of communities, yet they face significant challenges from urban development, climate change, pests, and diseases. The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard is a comprehensive framework aimed at promoting sustainable forest management. The standard helps ensure that environmental, social, and economic factors are balanced to maintain the long-term health and resilience of urban forests.

• • View the instructions and learn more about the selection criteria

Program Funding

The Urban Forest Improvement Program (UFIP), and the USDA Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, provides grants to help organizations benchmark their urban or community forests using the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard. To evaluate the sustainability of an urban or community forest using the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard and to support a certification audit to this standard using the services of a Certification body.

An organization will engage a Certification Body that is accredited to the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard or to the SFI Forest Management Standard and seeking expansion to the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard to conduct a certification audit. This assessment reviews the standard’s requirements and determines whether the organization has met the necessary requirements to become certified to the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard.

This grant is intended to facilitate an organization’s certification to the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard and will reveal key insights about areas of excellence and opportunities for improvement for sustainable forest management.

How the Grant Program Works

Organizations applying for the grant will:

• Use SFI’s performance indicators to assess the sustainability of their urban forest management practices
• Complete an assessment survey to document progress on each indicator, which may be done internally or with the help of a consultant
• Engage a Certification Body that is accredited to the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard or to the SFI Forest Management Standard and seeking expansion to the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard to conduct a certification audit.
• Submit a detailed final report to SFI evaluating the objectives and indicators, along with evidence to support their findings.
  • Reference the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard Guidance document for additional information and examples.

Deliverables

Grantees are required to:

1. 1. Submit a completed assessment document for the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard Objectives (Objective 16 is optional) within 18 months
   2. Provide progress updates through quarterly check-ins and biannual reports (June 30th and December 31st each year) detailing objectives achieved and challenges encountered
   3. Have an accredited certification body conduct a certification audit of their urban or community forest to the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard
   4. Participate in an exit interview to discuss insights gained from the assessment and certification process

Eligibility

Eligible organizations include municipalities, universities, non-profit organizations, or Indigenous communities and Tribes actively managing urban or community forests within the United States. Priority will be given to cities or communities who show the greatest impact to their local program through demonstration of current program projects and achievements.

Funding Details

Grants range up to $75,000 and may cover personnel, supplies, contracts, and hire a certification body to perform a certification audit. A detailed budget justification is required, along with an outline of how the requested funds will support project goals.

Application Process and Timeline

The application process is open until all funds are spent. Once submitted, applications will be reviewed within 45 days, with notification sent via email. Learn more in the supplemental instructions.

In need of additional assistance?

Please contact:

Michael Martini, SFI Director of Urban and Community Forestry, United States