Grants Now Available for Wildfire Prevention & Community Education

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) is accepting applications for the Hazard Mitigation and Community Education Grant Program until Oct. 14, 2025. Communities that have developed or are in the process of developing a Community Wildfire Prevention Plan (CWPP) will be eligible for funding to implement hazard mitigation assistance and education projects.

“More than 85% of our state’s population is exposed to wildfire risk, and that number is ever growing,” State Forester Heather Slayton said. “It is vital that we support Tennessee’s communities in mitigating wildfire risk and educating citizens about how they can reduce the danger and impact of wildfires.”

TDF partnered with the Appalachian Resource Conservation and Development Council (ARCD) to administer and manage the hazard mitigation assistance grant program. TDF reviews and approves all applications and makes recommendations to ARCD for community grant expenditures. Grant recipients are required to sign an agreement with ARCD. ARCD provides guidelines for expenditures and reimbursement.

Last year, the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program awarded $136,000 to support 19 communities across Tennessee. Local leaders used these funds to develop or improve Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs), reduce hazardous and flammable vegetation, and promote best practices for Tennessee Fire Adapted Communities. Through knowledge and engagement, communities can reduce the need for large-scale protection efforts and safely coexist with fire as a natural part of the landscape.

More information and the application for applying for a Hazard Mitigation and Community Education Grant can be found at www.tn.gov/tnwildlandfire/prevention/tennessee-fire-adapted-communities/community-fire-prevention-grants/hazard-mitigation-and-community-education-grants.html.

The Division of Forestry protects, conserves, and enhances Tennessee’s forest resources. Focus areas include assisting landowners with a variety of services, providing quality tree seedlings, supporting forest health programs, collecting forest inventory data, assisting forest industries, and fighting wildland fires. Visit www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests for more information.