Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FS 2028 FLP
The Forest Legacy Program (FLP) - FY2028 Funding opportunity is a competitive grant program run by the USDA Forest Service, supported by the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and authorized under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2103). The core goal is to permanently conserve environmentally important private forestlands that face pressure to be converted into non-forest uses, while still allowing the continuation of traditional forest uses. In practice, this is done by protecting land through conservation easements or, in some cases, by purchasing land or interests in land. The program is built around state-level conservation priorities, as laid out in each State Forest Action Plan, which helps ensure that proposed projects align with locally identified needs like keeping working forests intact, protecting key watersheds, and maintaining wildlife habitat.
A defining feature of FLP is that it is implemented through partnerships. The Forest Service works directly with State agencies and also coordinates with tribal and local governments, other federal agencies, private forest landowners, land trusts, and additional partners who may help structure, negotiate, or manage conservation transactions. Participation by landowners is strictly voluntary, which means projects typically depend on willing sellers or willing easement grantors and a shared interest in long-term stewardship. By keeping forests as forests, the program aims to secure a range of public benefits that extend beyond the property boundary, including cleaner and more reliable drinking water supplies, habitat protection for fish and wildlife, and continued production of timber, fuel wood, and other forest products. It also supports recreation values such as opportunities to hunt, fish, and camp, depending on the terms of each project and the public access components negotiated.
Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to State Lead Agencies. These are the entities formally designated by a Governor to oversee FLP administration in that state, and they must be capable of holding land or interests in land acquired through FLP. In many states this role sits with the state forestry agency, but it can also be another natural resource or land management agency depending on how the state is organized. Because only State Lead Agencies can apply, other interested parties like land trusts, local governments, and tribes generally participate as project partners rather than direct applicants, working through the state’s application process.
From the posted opportunity details, this is a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant) in the natural resources category, listed under CFDA 10.676. The opportunity number is USDA FS 2028 FLP, and the agency is the Forest Service. The application deadline shown is 2026-09-11. The award ceiling is listed as 20,000,000, with an anticipated 12 awards, indicating a relatively limited number of large, competitive selections. Additional background, including examples of previously awarded projects and general program guidance, is available on the Forest Service FLP website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/forest-legacy.Apply for USDA FS 2028 FLP
- The Forest Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Forest Legacy Program - FY2028 Funding" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.676.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-08-05.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-11. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $20,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 12 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Forest Legacy Program (FLP) - FY2028 Funding Opportunity: FAQs
1) What is the Forest Legacy Program (FLP) - FY2028 funding opportunity?
The Forest Legacy Program (FLP) - FY2028 funding opportunity is a competitive grant program run by the USDA Forest Service. It is supported by the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and authorized under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2103).
2) What is the main purpose of this grant program?
The core goal is to permanently conserve environmentally important private forestlands that are under pressure to be converted into non-forest uses, while still allowing the continuation of traditional forest uses.
3) How does FLP conserve private forestlands in practice?
FLP protects land primarily through conservation easements. In some cases, it can also involve purchasing land or interests in land.
4) What does "permanently conserve" mean in this program?
Based on the opportunity description, FLP is designed to secure long-term, permanent conservation of private forestlands, typically through tools like conservation easements or acquisition of land or interests in land.
5) Does FLP require that forests be open to the public?
Public benefits can include recreation opportunities such as hunting, fishing, and camping, but these depend on the terms of each project and any public access components that are negotiated.
6) What types of lands does FLP focus on?
The program focuses on environmentally important private forestlands, particularly those threatened by conversion to non-forest uses.
7) Can forest management and traditional uses continue after an FLP project?
Yes. The program is intended to keep forests as forests while still allowing continuation of traditional forest uses. The opportunity description also notes continued production of timber, fuel wood, and other forest products as public benefits of keeping working forests intact.
8) How are project priorities determined?
FLP is built around state-level conservation priorities laid out in each State Forest Action Plan. This structure helps ensure proposed projects align with locally identified needs such as keeping working forests intact, protecting key watersheds, and maintaining wildlife habitat.
9) Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Eligibility is limited to State Lead Agencies. These are entities formally designated by a Governor to oversee FLP administration in that state, and they must be capable of holding land or interests in land acquired through FLP.
10) What is a State Lead Agency in the context of FLP?
A State Lead Agency is the state entity designated by a Governor to administer FLP in that state. In many states, this is the state forestry agency, but it may also be another natural resource or land management agency depending on state structure.
11) Can land trusts, local governments, or tribes apply directly?
No. Based on the opportunity details provided, only State Lead Agencies can apply directly. Other entities such as land trusts, local governments, and tribes generally participate as project partners through the state’s application process.
12) How does the program involve partnerships?
Implementation is partnership-based. The Forest Service works with State agencies and coordinates with tribal and local governments, other federal agencies, private forest landowners, land trusts, and additional partners who may help structure, negotiate, or manage conservation transactions.
13) Is landowner participation required?
Landowner participation is strictly voluntary. Projects typically depend on willing sellers or willing easement grantors and a shared interest in long-term stewardship.
14) What kinds of public benefits does FLP aim to deliver?
By keeping forests as forests, FLP aims to produce public benefits beyond the property boundary, including cleaner and more reliable drinking water supplies, protection of fish and wildlife habitat, continued production of forest products (such as timber and fuel wood), and recreation values depending on project terms.
15) What is the funding instrument type for this opportunity?
The funding instrument type is a Grant.
16) What is the CFDA number for this program?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 10.676.
17) What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is USDA FS 2028 FLP.
18) Which federal agency is offering this grant?
The agency is the USDA Forest Service.
19) What is the application deadline?
The application deadline shown is 2026-09-11.
20) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is listed as 20,000,000.
21) How many awards are anticipated?
The opportunity indicates an anticipated 12 awards.
22) Is this a competitive program?
Yes. The opportunity is described as a competitive grant program, and the anticipated number of awards (12) suggests a limited number of selections.
23) What general category is this funding listed under?
It is listed in the natural resources category.
24) Where can applicants and partners find additional program background or examples of past projects?
Additional background, including examples of previously awarded projects and general program guidance, is available on the Forest Service FLP website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/forest-legacy.
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