VOF will host a one-hour Forest CORE Fund Grant Workshop Webinar on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. using Microsoft Teams. The webinar will address key program requirements and criteria, provide guidance on material to submit with the application and share tips on navigating the grant portal. Registration is required. Click the button below to register.
The Forest CORE (Community Opportunities for Restoration and Enhancement) Fund for the Mountain Valley Pipeline region was established under VOF’s TERRA Program in June 2018 using $15 million from a mitigation agreement between the Commonwealth of Virginia and Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC. The Fund’s purpose is to mitigate forest fragmentation that results from the clearing and grubbing activities along the pipeline’s 303-mile right-of-way through Virginia. Grants will be awarded to projects that mitigate for forest fragmentation by preserving, connecting and enhancing forest resources.
Projects must be located within localities 50 miles or less from the Mountain Valley Pipeline route. See below for an interactive map of the route and eligible area for projects, which is outlined by the bold line on the map.
To provide mitigation of forest fragmentation through:
Projects that result in avoided deforestation such as:
Projects that establish new forest land such as:
Projects that restore or enhance forest land such as:
$4 million will be made available to fund grant proposals in fiscal year 2025. There is no maximum or minimum grant award criteria. Additional grant funds will be made available in fiscal year 2026.
Any forest land preserved, established, or enhanced using funding from this grant program must be:
Grant applications are due January 22, 2025, with awards announced in March 2025. Selected projects must be completed by October 2027.
Scroll down to the Downloads section to obtain a PDF version of the 2020-2021 grant manual and supporting documentation. Note that the FY 2021 grant round has been completed. These documents are being provided for reference only.
Questions about grants from this fund should be sent to Emily White, ewhite@vof.org.
The Town of Narrows wanted to protect its mountain backdrop and refurbish its trails. One grant from VOF’s Forest Core Fund made it possible to do both.
The webinar provided an overview of the 2020 grant round, which is focused on community-supported conservation projects in nine Southwest Virginia localities.
$1,000,000 is being made available in the third grant round of the program, with eligibility requirements being tightened to reflect a priority on projects that benefit communities most directly impacted by the Mountain Valley Pipeline.
