Applications due October 23, 2024.
Recognizing that local community groups are key to contributing their expertise and serving as effective local and regional agents for change, River Network is excited to serve as a national pass-through partner of the Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. We aim to provide funding and technical assistance for disadvantaged communities to plan and carry out forestry projects that build both their capacity and climate resilience. Rooting Resilience is unique among other national pass-through programs, as we lean into our specialty: supporting small, local water, justice, and river organizations. The program will offer smaller scale funding, right-sizing our offerings to match what these grassroots groups need; and prioritizing first-time federal funding applicants. This model, paired with our extensive technical assistance offerings to ensure applicants are set up for success with their applications, mean fewer barriers to access to this historic federal funding.
While many know River Network as a leader in the water sector, forestry work is an important new program offering, and is directly tied to our 35+ year history of water work. We know that two-thirds of US drinking water comes from rivers and streams; we know that trees provide important water filtration services both up and downstream. We know that impacts from flooding and extreme heat have disproportionate effects; we know that trees slow the flow of rainwater and mitigate heat in cities and communities. Supporting groups on forestry projects is an interconnected and exciting way to work towards results in all our focus areas: healthy rivers, clean drinking water, and climate-resilient communities.
Funding for the Rooting Resilience program is provided by the Inflation Reduction Act and the Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry Program. In alignment with Justice40, 100% of the Rooting Resilience program grants will benefit federally designated disadvantaged communities, and no matching funds are required. Grants will range from $75,000 to $200,000 over a 1-3 year period, depending upon the project activities.
We are seeking applications from Tribes & Tribal organizations or community-based non-profits to support forestry projects that will build more equitable, thriving, and climate-resilient communities with and by the people who are most impacted.
Many disadvantaged communities have faced systemic and structural discriminatory policies that have impacted their tree canopy cover and access to nearby green spaces. The Justice40 Initiative and focus on increasing equitable access to nature will support more communities experiencing the benefits of trees which include improvements to local water quality, building climate resilience, and even community health and well-being.
For more about Justice40 and working with disadvantaged communities, we invite you to watch the video below, recorded at River Rally 2024.
