BLM-CO Forests and Woodlands Resource Management | L20AS00082

Opportunity Information: Apply for L20AS00082

The BLM-CO Forests and Woodlands Resource Management opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number L20AS00082) is a Bureau of Land Management Colorado cooperative agreement aimed at improving the health, resilience, and long-term stewardship of forest and woodland ecosystems. It sits within BLMs broader Forest and Woodland Resource Management Program, which oversees roughly 58 million acres across 12 western states and Alaska. The core idea behind the funding is to support practical, on-the-ground work and the planning and analysis that makes that work possible, especially where it helps forests better withstand wildfire, insect outbreaks, disease, and drought. BLM Colorado is also emphasizing collaboration with partners who can bring additional non-federal capacity and resources, helping BLM deliver priority projects more efficiently while improving responsiveness to public needs.

Funded projects are expected to target high-priority forest and woodland management actions that advance forest health, sustainable forest management, and fire resiliency. The announcement highlights a wide range of eligible activities, including reforestation and tree planting, pre-commercial and commercial thinning to reduce stand density, salvage or sanitation treatments for dead or dying timber, removal or control of competing vegetation, and broader fuels reduction work to lower wildfire risk. Restoration activities are also specifically called out, such as riparian or upland restoration tied to watershed health and habitat function. In addition to field implementation, proposals can include the preparatory and compliance work needed to move projects forward, such as project development and layout, planning analysis, and documentation that supports land use planning decisions, Endangered Species Act reviews, cultural resource clearances, data collection, and monitoring.

The strategic goals outlined in the opportunity show what BLM most wants to achieve with these awards. A major focus is science-based forest restoration that measurably improves resilience to wildfire, insects, disease, and drought. Another priority is supporting sustainable harvest in ways that maintain a continuous supply of wood products and biomass that can be used for renewable energy, linking restoration outcomes to local forest products infrastructure and markets. The program also encourages salvage of dead and dying timber to reduce hazardous fuels while balancing ecological needs like wildlife habitat, watershed function, and soil stability, and while supporting local economies that rely on forest products work. Beyond commercial outputs, BLM also wants to maintain and expand public access to forest and woodland products for personal and commercial use, including firewood, Christmas trees, boughs and greenery, medicinal plants, fence posts, and pinyon pine nuts.

A notable emphasis is on accelerating the pace of work where forest conditions pose urgent risks. The announcement specifically mentions expediting NEPA-related processes to speed up removal of beetle-killed timber, with the dual purpose of reducing the likelihood of catastrophic fire and minimizing hazards to recreational users. The opportunity also supports collaborative implementation through Good Neighbor Authority (GNA), which enables BLM to work with state, county, and tribal partners to carry out authorized restoration services across federal, non-federal, and tribal lands when projects are similar and complementary and support shared forest and watershed outcomes.

Administratively, this is a discretionary natural resources funding opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, using a cooperative agreement instrument (which typically implies substantial involvement and coordination with BLM during the project). Eligible applicants are broad and include state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations; and nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions where specified). The award ceiling listed is $150,000, with an expectation of three awards. The announcement was created March 18, 2020, and the original closing date was May 18, 2020. Applications and the full official instructions were directed to be accessed through Grants.gov under the listed opportunity title.

• The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BLM-CO Forests and Woodlands Resource Management" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.233.
• This funding opportunity was created on Mar 18, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 18, 2020. (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 $150,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for L20AS00082

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