In the first grant round of 2020, the NFF’s Matching Awards Program invested $830,499 in 37 on-the-ground conservation projects. Each project was proposed and will be led by local nonprofit organizations.

Conservation work funded through the Matching Awards Program will take place on more than 30 National Forests across the country supporting themes of Outdoor Experiences and Forest Health. These efforts provide a lasting impact to National Forests for future generations and increase capacity of organizations around the country to involve Americans in their public lands.

The application period is currently open for Round 2 of the program. For more information, potential applicants may visit: nationalforests.org/grant-programs/map.

The NFF continues to monitor the pandemic closely and is working with organizations to accommodate adjustments as needed to project implementation.

A full list of projects can be found here. A few highlights are listed below.

Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan, Inc.
Michigan Forest Habitat Stewardship Project - YouthWork Conservation Corps
To restore and enhance openlands, young forests and recreation trails in the Huron-Manistee National Forest while providing valuable job and life skills to vulnerable YouthWork members as they form meaningful connections caring for public lands.
Huron-Manistee National Forest | MI
http://www.cfsnwmi.org

Friends of Nevada Wilderness
Volunteer Support for Priority Projects on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
To improve forest health and provide outdoor experiences by engaging volunteers in projects to control invasive weeds, remove unnecessary fencing, and maintain trails, thus improving public lands and inspiring a lifelong commitment to our Forests.
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest | NV
http://www.nevadawilderness.org

Lomakatsi Restoration Project
Lomakatsi Ashland Watershed Youth Training and Employment Program
To engage a diverse, multicultural youth crew from underserved communities to implement on-the ground ecological restoration projects in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest as part of the Ashland Forest Resiliency Stewardship Project.
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest | OR
http://www.lomakatsi.org

North Cascades Institute
Mazama Park Trail Maintenance Project
To connect teens from identities under-represented in the USFS with USFS mentors and engage them in meaningful direct work improving the high-use trails surrounding Mazama Camp in the Mt. Baker National Recreation Area.
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest | WA
http://www.ncascades.org

Wild South
Wild South Community Conservation Corps
To integrate forest visitors into solutions for wilderness management challenges that exceed Forest Service capacity, including trail maintenance and other stewardship as well as forest restoration and non-native invasive plant removal.
Bankhead, Pisgah, and Talladega National Forests | AL, NC
http://www.wildsouth.org