RFP Opens for Healthy Watersheds through Healthy Forests

The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (the Endowment) today issued a Request for Pre-proposals (RFP) in its joint-venture with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Innovation Grant Program (CIG).  “While our CIG initiative can’t actually begin until after October 1, we have a strong desire to begin the creative planning process with potential partners,” said Endowment President Carlton Owen.  Under the “Healthy Watersheds through Healthy Forests Initiative” the Endowment will match $2 million in CIG funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis over the next 1-3 years to test the potential to link upstream water producers (forest landowners) with downstream water consumers.  “In short, we are seeking to monetize water as an ecosystem service of well-managed forests while at the same time strengthening the connection between consumers and one of their most basic of needs – clean water,” said Owen.  The RFP along with an on-going updated set of clarifying questions and answers is available at www.usendowment.org/pendingrfps.html.  The RFP opens immediately and closes on September 18, 2009.