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The Steven Brook Sichol Community Forest in Massachusetts received funding from the Community Forest Program in 2019. (USDA Forest Service photo by Neal Bungard)
The Forest Service partners with local communities to conserve private forestlands as community forests. These investments ensure that forestlands critical to the social, economic, and ecological wellbeing of local communities continue to provide important benefits while also being managed by local people. In fiscal year 2024, the Forest Service is awarding $5.5 million to create or add to 13 community forests.
Funded Proposals by State
GEORGIA
PROJECT NAME
FUNDING RECIPIENT
DESCRIPTION
FUNDING
Rockbridge Nature Preserve
Dekalb County
Located just outside of metro Atlanta in Stone Mountain, this 40-acre community forest is a greenspace gem with uncommon plants, intact mature tree canopy, and a variety of established habitats. Once acquired, this forest will provide a passive park setting with an informative trailhead kiosk, parking, a trails system, and a small pond with seasonal fishing. The community has been a driver for protection of this property and will be a vital part of its planning and design.
$600,000.00
IOWA
PROJECT NAME
FUNDING RECIPIENT
DESCRIPTION
FUNDING
Brenton Slough Community Forest
Polk County
This 94-acre community forest is located in northwest Polk County in the Des Moines metro area. Conservation of the forest will be crucial for offering quality recreational amenities in a state where less than 3% of land is available for public recreation and in an area with limited public greenspaces. Once acquired by Polk County Conservation, the county will develop hiking trails, a paved regional multi-use trail, picnic shelters, an observation tower, and parking lots.
$245,000.00
KENTUCKY
PROJECT NAME
FUNDING RECIPIENT
DESCRIPTION
FUNDING
Cave Fork, Hell Creek & Pendergrass-Murray Community Forest
Red River Gorge Climbers' Coalition
This 500-acre community forest is situated adjacent to the Daniel Boone National Forest in the Red River Gorge, an area with sandstone cliff faces and walls that make it a popular rock-climbing destination. The Red River Gorge Climbers’ Coalition will acquire the forest and open it to the public for rock climbing- hiking, trail running, mountain biking, and other recreation.
$600,000.00
MAINE
PROJECT NAME
FUNDING RECIPIENT
DESCRIPTION
FUNDING
Kezar River South Community Forest Expansion
Greater Lovell Land Trust
This 1,350-acre community forest contains forestlands and river frontage along the Kezar River. Initially funded in 2022 through the Community Forest Program, it will total over 3,200 acres of contiguous conserved land in the Kezar River Valley, strengthening connectivity in a recognized climate-resilient landscape. The new community forest offers the opportunity for new public education programs on climate change resilience, climate corridors, species diversity, and climate smart forest management practices.
$350,000.00
Watson Woods Community Forest
Chebeague & Cumberland Land Trust
This 79-acre community forest is the largest undeveloped contiguous forested parcel that remains in the Town of Cumberland, which faces high development pressure. The property is a key link in a four-town conservation and recreation corridor of almost 3,000 acres that is identified as a priority focus area for conservation in the region. With an existing network of nearby trails and scenic terrain, the woods offer fantastic recreational opportunities and are only 12 miles from Portland, Maine’s largest city.
$300,000.00
MICHIGAN
PROJECT NAME
FUNDING RECIPIENT
DESCRIPTION
FUNDING
Munising Bay Overlook Community Forest
City of Munising
Located along the shores of Lake Superior, this 376-acre community forest will provide ecological benefits, natural beauty, and a sweeping view of Munising Bay. The community forest will help facilitate the creation of a new off-road connection for the North Country National Scenic Hiking Trail, America’s longest congressionally designated footpath. The property will be managed by the City of Munising for sustainable timber harvest, with revenue reinvested into the community.
$600,000.00
NEW HAMPSHIRE
PROJECT NAME
FUNDING RECIPIENT
DESCRIPTION
FUNDING
Newfields Exeter Community Forest
Town of Newfields
This 101-acre community forest in the town of Newfields, New Hampshire is the result of a community-driven effort. The project includes 8 miles of multi-use trails that form a core part of a popular 40-mile regional trail network known as Fort Rock. The community forest will connect two adjacent town forests and improve public access to Fort Rock. Located one mile away from Newfields Elementary School and accessible by trail, the forest will provide nature and forest-based education opportunities for students.
$600,000.00
Page Pond Community Forest Expansion
Town of Meredith
This 30-acre community forest is located on Meredith Neck, a peninsula on Lake Winnipesaukee in the town of Meredith. The project will expand the existing 765-acre Page Pond Community Forest, which was originally funded through the Community Forest Program in 2017. A new trailhead and a fully accessible trail are being planned to accommodate public access on the community forest.
$154,000.00
Chain of Ponds Community Forest
Upper Saco Valley Land Trust
This 625-acre community forest is nestled in a narrow valley at the southern edge of the White Mountain National Forest in Madison, NH. The project will help to ensure that the drinking water supply to a nearby senior housing complex for low-income seniors is protected. The Upper Saco Valley Land Trust is working with accessibility advocates and consultants to explore the creation of accessible trails and other enhancements to provide access to key destinations within the property.
$400,000.00
NEW YORK
PROJECT NAME
FUNDING RECIPIENT
DESCRIPTION
FUNDING
Gibraltar Rock Community Forest
Orange County Land Trust
Located in the Town of Warwick, this 136-acre community forest contains the iconic “Gibraltar Rock”, a 5-acre anvil of rock that surges above forested vernal pools and has served as a natural gathering site for centuries. A community-driven effort, the project aims to be a vibrant community center catering to diverse recreational activities.
$484,000.00
Wolf Creek Community Forest
Rennselaer Plateau Alliance
This 385-acre community forest in located in the Town of Berlin and lies on the Rennselaer Plateau, known for its unique ecological features and high conservation value. Both adults and children will benefit from forest-based experiential learning programs offered on the community forest. The forest will serve as training grounds for New York State loggers and Rensselaer Youth Outdoors, part of the USDA Forest Service Children’s Forest Network, works with local schools to push environmental educators into the classroom and bring children out into the forest.
$361,000.00
SPOKANE TRIBE OF INDIANS - WASHINGTON
PROJECT NAME
FUNDING RECIPIENT
DESCRIPTION
FUNDING
Glen Tana Community Forest
Spokane Tribe of Indians
This 37-acre community forest, located along the Little Spokane River, will help to strengthen ecosystem and community resilience by ensuring that the riparian forest is protected from development and continues to protect the cold-water refugia within the river. Conservation of this site will benefit at-risk species (Redband Trout) and support the reintroduction of chinook salmon to the region. The property will be owned and managed by the Spokane Tribe of Indians, who have historic ties to the area.
$493,000.00
WISCONSIN
PROJECT NAME
FUNDING RECIPIENT
DESCRIPTION
FUNDING
Pine Coulee Community Forest
Landmark Conservancy
This 76-acre community forest in the City of Prescott offers a rare opportunity in an urbanized environment for citizens to experience a unique assemblage of open and forested ecological communities. The property is located in the Twin Cities Metro along Wisconsin’s 250-mile-long segment of the Great River Road and a National Scenic Byway that is popular for bicycle and motorcycle touring. Pine Coulee’s intact forest along the Mississippi River flyway provides habitat for resident breeding birds and migratory bird stopover.
