National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant Program

National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant Program is sponsored by USDA Forest Service. This program aims to advance solutions to economic, health, and environmental challenges in communities, with a current focus on advancing community tree resource utilization. Projects should reduce waste and create value from urban wood (e.g., lumber, biochar) to strengthen local economies and improve community resilience.

Competitive proposals will demonstrate alignment with community forestry plans, industry standards, and clear economic, environmental, or workforce benefits.

Urban and Community Forestry Program | US Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program About the Urban and Community Forestry Program The Urban and Community Forestry Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service is the only Federal program dedicated to growing and maintaining urban and community trees, forests, and green spaces.

Authorized under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978, Urban Forestry assists States and partner organizations in applying nature-based solutions to chronic and emergent economic, social, and environmental challenges. Dedicated to improving the conditions of forests in urban communities where 84 percent of Americans live, work, and play.

Works with partners to improve the health and vibrancy of communities through planting and maintaining trees, forests, and green spaces. Traditionally funded at $36-40 million annually, including an approximate $1 million per year challenge cost share grant program delivered in collaboration with the National Urban & Community Forestry Advisory Council.

National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC) is a Congressionally designated advisory council to the Secretary of Agriculture on urban forestry and related issues. The 1990 Farm Bill created NUCFAC to bring together the wide variety of voices raised about a common concern: the present health and future preservation of America's community forests.

NUCFAC was founded to synthesize the full spectrum of views into a consistent vision, as a foundation for practical policy on urban forestry and related natural resources.

NUCFAC’s current National Ten-Year Urban and Community Forest Action Plan (2016-2026) Council Positions Available Two (2) members representing national nonprofit forestry and conservation citizen organizations, Three (3) members, One each representing state, county, and city and town governments, One (1) member representing the forest products, nursery, or related industries, One (1) member representing urban forestry, landscape, or design consultants, Two (2) members representing academic institutions with expertise in urban and community forestry activities, One (1) member representing State forestry agencies or equivalent State agencies, One (1) member representing a professional renewable natural resources or arboricultural society, One (1) member from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Two (2) members who are not officers or employees of any governmental body, One of whom is a resident of a community with a population of less than 50,000 as of the most recent census and both of whom have expertise and have been active in urban and community forestry.

Member Duties & Time Commitment Serve a 3-year term with the possibility to serve a second and final 3-year term. Attend orientation training for new members (virtual – 1 hour). Attend annual Ethics training (virtual – 1 hour).

Attend Optional administrative calls as needed (virtual – 1 hour). Attend Public Meetings (2 virtual meetings, 4-5 hours), One In-Person Public Meeting (2-4 days) each Spring, Summer, and Fall. This includes two travel days and two public meeting days, 6-7 hours / day.

Serve on National Grant Review Panel (1-2 Council Members, 10-20 hours depending on the number of proposals). Member’s time networking with population/organizations they represent for 1-2 hours/month. Travel expenses to attend in-person meetings are covered by the U.S. Forest Service.

The government pays for lodging, flights, and daily per diem. The USDA encourages submissions from qualified applicants, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applications for qualified candidates will also be accepted to fill unexpected future vacancies for any of the fourteen NUCFAC seats representing the scope of Urban and Community Forestry. Primary responsibilities include: Develop a 10-year National Urban and Community Forestry Action Plan in accordance with Section 9 (g) (3) (A-F) of the Act. Evaluate the implementation of that plan annually.

Develop criteria for, and submit recommendations with respect to, the Forest Service’s National Urban and Community Forestry challenge cost-share grant program as required by Section 9 (f) (1-2) of the Act. The NUCFAC will be governed by the provisions of FACA AD-755 – Note this document must be encrypted before sending it to protect your personal information. Provide a separate email with the encryption unlock code.

(Attachment) https://www. usda. gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-755-advisory-committee-commodity-board-background-information.

pdf (PDF, 1. 14 MB) Suggested application template (. DOCX, 135 KB) to assist in focusing one’s skills to the position(s) one is applying and helps in the review of applications, OR Resume as it relates to the position(s) applying for.

(Limit 3 pages) Name of position(s) to which you are applying. Submit to: Nancy Stremple ( nancy. stremple@usda.

gov ), or Tyler Stevenson ( tyler. stevenson@usda. gov ) Letters of reference.

May be accepted after application deadline. Submit applications to the Secretary through the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council’s Designated Federal Officer, Nancy Stremple. Preferred submission is through email: nancy.

stremple@usda. gov Subject line: 2026 Call for Nominations NUCFAC. Nancy Stremple, DFO, NUCFAC 1400 Independence Ave.

, SW, The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council will advise the Secretary, U.S. Forest Service, and related federal agencies on proposed community and urban forestry, related natural resources, and other such matters as the Secretary determines.

This is in accordance with the 1990 Farm Bill, Section 9 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act, as amended by Title XII, Section1219 of Public Law No. 101-624 (ACT) (16 U.S.C. 2105g) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended (5 U.S.C. 10).

The Secretary will vet and appoint members to the Council. Interested applicants may nominate themselves and apply for as many positions they are qualified. Please ensure all positions are noted on the application.

NUCFAC Public Virtual Meeting Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Eastern Daylight Savings Time NUCFAC Public in-person and virtual meeting Date: Tuesday September 8, 2026 Time: 10 AM -4:30 PM Eastern Daylight Savings Time Contact: Nancy Stremple ( nancy. stremple@usda. gov ) NUCFAC Public in-person meeting Date: Tuesday November 17, 2026 Time: 10 AM – 3:00 PM Central Time Contact: Nancy Stremple ( nancy.

stremple@usda. gov ) Inputs Welcome to Inform Next National Urban and Community Forestry Ten-Year Action Plan (2027-2037) *New July 2025 The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council is pleased to announce the National Urban and Community Forestry Ten-Year Action Plan’s public input website is open and available for public comments/suggestions related to urban and community forestry.

This Action Plan serves as a guidance document for the Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program. State, Urban and Community Forestry Programs also use the Action Plan as a guidance document for their Urban and Community Forestry Programs and State Forest Action Plans. Annual Action Plan accomplishments and recommendations are reported to the Secretary of Agriculture and applicable Congressional committees.

The Keystone Policy Center, in partnership with Ernst Consulting and American Forests, is supporting the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC) and U.S. Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry staff are updating the Action Plan for 2027–2037.

Learn more about the Action Plan Update process , and share your input to help ensure the plan reflects emerging needs, opportunities, and challenges in the decade to come. The initial comment period has closed. Thank you to those that provided comments to help shape the next Action Plan’s direction.

Please look for an updated post for public comment on the draft Action Plan, expected to be available sometime in September 2026. Technology and Science Delivery The Forest Service’s National Urban Forest Technology & Science Delivery Team delivers quality urban natural resources science, technology, and information to improve the long-term sustainability of urban ecosystems.

The team’s mission is to help inform environmental stewardship and sustainability with sound decisions about urban and community lands and the broader watershed, for wildlife and people. Vibrant Cities Lab provides tools, research syntheses, and case studies to help the public discover how a healthy tree canopy can enrich their own community. Use our Step-by-Step Guide to implement urban forestry in your community.

Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry Program Contacts