Forestry Opportunity Grants

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Program purpose

The purpose of the Forestry Opportunity Grant program is to support pilot projects that help conserve the forest land base and forestry in King County by strengthening infrastructure for forestry, promoting forest products-based businesses and adding to the diversity and self-sufficiency of local economies. The program is one of the actions recommended in the King County Rural Economic Strategies Report of 2006.

Successful grant applications will demonstrate public benefits and show innovative approaches for expanding markets for new or under-used forest products; promoting cooperative forest management among contiguous small forest lands; training youth in forest-related careers; promoting community fire planning or educating landowners about sustainable forest management.

Funds available

A maximum of $20,000 will be reimbursed to projects for labor and materials costs.  Typical grants are in the $4,000 to $8,000 range.

Project examples

• Organize landowners to manage clusters of small properties for forestry;
• Hold workshops for small forest landowners to develop marketing strategies or improve distribution networks;
• Develop a forest or non-timber forest products marketing cooperative;
• Develop a forest product concentration yard;
• Demonstrate small scale and low impact harvesting techniques, or
• Facilitate community planning to implement best management practices and reduce the wildfire hazards.

Reforestation or habitat restoration projects are not eligible unless applicants demonstrate economic benefits for rural economies.

Matching

The applicant must contribute at least 25% of the total cost of the project. This amount may be in the form of cash or in-kind services. The match should include resources from project partners and contributors.

Eligible applicants

Rural community groups, small forest landowners, small businesses, local development corporations, not-for-profit organizations, tribal governments, special districts and educational institutions are eligible for grants. General purpose local, state or federal government agencies are not eligible. Projects must be located in unincorporated King County or in a rural city.

Application deadline

Grant applications will be accepted and evaluated on a rolling deadline basis until all allocated funds are expended.

Project completion

Most projects will be completed within 12 months.

Costs not allowed

Grant funds may not be used to pay for any of the following:

• Costs of the project incurred before or after the grant period;
• Expenses not directly related to the funded project;
• Salary and benefits for employees, except at non-profit organizations;
• Expenses for forest-related education during school hours;
• Food, beverages, awards, entertainment or celebrations;
• Use charges for applicant-owned equipment;
• Contingencies;
• Land purchase; or
• Activities that are the result of a compliance action required by King County or another jurisdiction.

King County reserves the right to determine the nature and manner in which cost items will be paid for in any grant.

Reporting requirements

Grant funds will be distributed on a reimbursement basis. Reimbursement may be requested after the expense has been incurred on a monthly or quarterly basis, or once at the midpoint and a second time at the completion of the project. The project applicant is responsible for the following:

• Secure all applicable permits (federal, state, local) before work begins;
• Establish a record keeping system which includes a breakdown of cash and in kind contributions as well as grant funds and retain these records for three years after the project is completed;
• Submit a progress report with each request for reimbursement; and
• Provide documentation such as copies of receipts with each request for reimbursement. If salaries or wages are to be reimbursed or used for the cost share, documentation such as time cards or check stubs must be provided.

Note that the final reimbursement may not be distributed until the project has been completed and verified by King County staff.

Tax reporting is the responsibility of the applicant.

Application and guidelines

For complete guidelines, follow these links:

• Guidelines - Forestry Opportunity Grant (Acrobat pdf format)
• Guidelines - Forestry Opportunity Grant (Rich Text Format/Word)

For an application, follow these links:

• Application - Forestry Opportunity Grant (Acrobat pdf format)
• Application - Forestry Opportunity Grant (Rich Text Format/Word)

or contact Linda Vane.

Contact us

For applications or further information on Forestry Opportunity Grants, please contact:

Linda Vane, Forestry Program Manager
King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks
206-296-8042
800-325-6165 ext. 68042
linda.vane@kingcounty.gov

Information presented here is available in alternate formats upon request.

TTY: 800-833-6388 or 711.