The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has announced the availability of up to $5 million for Tribal Wildfire Resilience projects. Cal-FIRE is soliciting applications for projects that work to support California Native American tribes in managing ancestral lands, implementing and promoting Traditional Ecological Knowledges in wildfire resilience and creating wildfire safety for tribal communities.
Applications will be accepted from now, via the Tribal Wildfire Resilience Grants webpage and will be due by no later than 12:00p.m. on Friday, March 28th.
Eligible applicants are California Native American tribes, and tribal-led non-profit organizations with documentation.
“Supporting California tribes through Tribal Wildfire Resilience Grants demonstrates Cal-FIRE’s commitment to protecting communities, restoring ecosystems, revitalizing traditional land stewardship, and building a resilient future for people and our state,” said Matthew Reischman, Cal-FIRE Deputy Director of Resource Management.
Tribal Wildfire Resilience Grants fund projects in cultural and prescribed fire, fuels reduction, forest resilience, restoration of culturally important ecosystems, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, training, and planning projects that include mapping, environmental compliance, and developing forest/fire management plans.
These actions, according to the agency, foster the future wellbeing of resilient ecosystems and tribal communities while also helping to mitigate climate change, protect communities from fire risk, strengthen rural economies, revitalize traditional land management practices, and improve California’s water resources and air quality.
Cal-FIRE is committed to offering grant funding specifically for Tribal Wildfire Resiliency projects. Since 2023, $24 million has been awarded to eligible applicants. The first 12 projects awarded can be found on our webpage. An additional five projects were funded in partnership with California Natural Resource Agency’s Tribal Nature-Based Solutions program.
Online office hours will be available throughout the application period. Cal-FIRE’s Tribal Wildfire Resilience staff will also be available to answer questions about the grant process and requirements. Please check the Tribal Wildfire Resilience Grants webpage for details. Any questions can be directed to [email protected].
Projects that receive funding from the Tribal Wildfire Resilience grant program are designed to complement California’s Wildfire & Forest Resilience Action Plan and California’s Strategic Plan for Expanding the Use of Beneficial Fire.
