FY27 Forest Reserve RFR Grant

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) protects, conserves, and restores the natural resources of the Commonwealth. To fulfill this mission, Rebecca Tepper, Secretary of EEA, is making available funding for the FY27 Land Acquisition for Forest Reserves Grant Program to support 501(c)(3) organizations, municipalities, and other qualified conservation organizations in the permanent protection of forest reserves.

The Land Acquisition for Forest Reserve Grant Program is part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Forests as Climate Solutions Initiative and conserving forest land as part of meeting the state’s aggressive climate goals. This program advances protection for forested lands that will allow natural processes to determine forest structure and composition, and where timber harvest is prohibited.

This grant reimburses up to 50% of eligible project costs incurred by the grantee for a maximum grant award of **$425,000** (unless the maximum grant award is increased at the discretion of the Secretary).

Applications will be accepted for FY27 or FY28 projects. Eligible projects may include the purchase of forest land in fee, or the permanent protection of forest under terms of a CR as defined in G.L. c. 184, § 31. Alternatively, applications may request reimbursement for due diligence, closing and other eligible costs associated with the gift of fee simple or a perpetual CR for the permanent conservation of forest.

To meet the goals of this program, land purchased or gifted is required to be permanently protected under a CR that restricts active forest management and timber harvest to ensure natural processes persist for ecological benefit. [...] Land proposed to be purchased with grant funds must be currently unprotected.

Grant funding may be used for reimbursement of:

• Purchase of property interests
• Survey work
• Recording fees
• Title search and certification
• Baseline Documentation Report preparation work (up to $1,500 per BDR)

Ineligible project costs include, but are not limited to:

• Legal fees (except those incurred with title research, certification, or closing)
• Stewardship endowments
• Staff salaries
• Equipment or goods
• Any other items as determined by EEA

Acquisitions resulting from this bid must permanently conserve natural resources in a manner that prioritizes forest and existing ecological function via a conservation restriction pursuant to Sections 31-33 of Chapter 184 of the MA General Laws. [...] Awardees will be required to submit periodic progress reports.

An electronic copy of the application must be received by Thursday, February 18 2027 through the EEA Grant Management System (GMS) to be considered eligible. Applications will not be accepted after the deadline.

**Required documents:** a complete application package includes:

1. Application form
2. Appraisal report(s)
3. Letter signed by an authorized signatory for the applicant organization, authorizing the project manager to apply for the grant on behalf of the applicant
4. For municipal applicants: Certified Town Meeting Vote or other municipal vote authorizing the acquisition for conservation and passive recreation and expenditure of the total project cost (or draft language, if vote is pending)
5. Project narrative
6. Project budget
7. Property map(s)
8. Comments requested from the Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP)

Each application will be scored using the criteria below: Landscape considerations (26 points), Ecological contributions & condition (22 points), Size (16 points), Public passive recreational access (18 points), Project readiness and suitability (18 points).

Contracts issued pursuant to this bid must expend all approved project costs on or before June 30, 2028 according to contract terms. Awarded projects must abide by the Standard Commonwealth of Massachusetts Terms and Conditions.