Community Forest Program | Division of Forestry and Wildlife: Forestry Program

Resource Title: Community Forest Program | Division of Forestry and Wildlife: Forestry Program

Organization: Department of Land and Natural Resources

Description:

The Community Forest Program, administered under DLNR’s Forestry Landowner Assistance Programs (LAP), is a partnership with the U.S. Forest Service that provides matching grants—up to 50%—to local governments and qualified nonprofits for the full purchase of privately owned forest lands (minimum 5 acres, at least 75% forested). The acquired forests are then held by public entities and managed for community recreation, watershed protection, wildlife habitat, and sustainable forestry benefits.

Target Audience: Educators, Facilitators, High School, College

Instructional Roles: Enrichment

Environment: Classroom, Online only (e.g. interactive map), Self-guided

Content Type: Service, volunteer work

Type Of Engagement: Investigate, Respond / Submit

Format: Webpage

Activity:

Applicants work with DLNR DOFAW to submit proposals for fee-title acquisition of forest land—e.g., acquisition of the Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden site as Hawai‘i’s first community forest
DLNR coordinates site discussions, facilitates applications, and processes funding with applicants.
Purchased lands must be accessible to the public and abide by a community forest plan for multi-use management (recreation, watershed cover, habitat, and sustainable timber/non-timber harvests)

Topics Covered:

Public access & community recreation
Watershed protection & management
Wildlife habitat enhancement
Sustainable forestry—timber and non-timber economic uses
Collaboration between local governments, nonprofits, and U.S. Forest Service funding

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Reach out to us anytime. We're here to help.