Open — Massachusetts FY2027 Land Acquisition for Forest Reserves grant competition. Solicitation posted October 22, 2026. Applications due February 18, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Official FY2027 documents and current agency application page control.
Massachusetts FY2027 Land Acquisition for Forest Reserves Grants (Up to $425,000; February 18, 2027)
FundingFY2027 Massachusetts Forest Reserves program: maximum grant award $425,000 per applicant (unless increased at the EEA Secretary's discretion). Grants reimburse up to 50% of eligible project costs. Overall FY2027 statewide competition funding pool is not published in the official materials reviewed. No program pool substituted for the individual award.
DeadlineFebruary 18, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. (Massachusetts official application page). The source does not expressly specify a time zone. FY2027 grant round and COMMBUYS opportunity BD-27-1042-ENV-ENV01-134739.
Last verifiedOctober 29, 2026 (official FY2027 Forest Reserves bid excerpts, Massachusetts EEA program application instructions and current COMMBUYS listing). Full RFR document inspection still required before protected approval.
Required next actionReview the Massachusetts FY2027 Forest Reserves Grant bid document and the application guidance, then establish an EEA Grant Management System applicant account. Prepare an eligible forestland acquisition or permanent conservation-restriction proposal with appraisals, project budget, maps, authorized signatory letter, municipality vote if applicable, and Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program comments. Submit electronically by February 18, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. (time zone not specified).
Broad Eligibility
Massachusetts qualified 501(c)(3) conservation organizations, municipalities and other eligible conservation entities such as Land Banks. Eligible projects acquire unprotected forestland in fee or a permanent conservation restriction, with passive forest reserve management and long-term conservation requirements. Reimburses up to 50% of costs, maximum $425,000 without discretionary increase. No other state grant acquisition funds may ordinarily be used as match. Full restrictions are in the FY2027 bid.
Atlas Analysis
October 29 2026 verified through official Massachusetts EEA program website, new FY2027 Forest Reserve BID indexed text (posted October 2026), and COMMBUYS listing BD-27-1042-ENV-ENV01-134739. Grant, not vendor procurement, because it reimburses conservation land acquisitions to applicant entities. Individual maximum $425k with discretionary exception; 50% reimbursement; deadline Feb18 2027 11:59pm from official application page, no explicit time zone. Duplicate search across published, pending and drafts plus identifier content returned none. VERIFICATION HOLD: complete FY2027 controlling PDF and all appendices could not be read end-to-end because source download was inaccessible in the research tools. Source text has a potential stale appraisal reference to February 18 2026, requiring reconciliation. Do not mark full verified or enter protected approval until full document and amendments read.
Massachusetts FY2027 Land Acquisition for Forest Reserves Grant Program
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Division of Conservation Services, is accepting applications for the FY2027 Land Acquisition for Forest Reserves Grant Program. The program offers financial assistance to permanently protect qualifying forestlands in Massachusetts through fee-simple purchase or qualifying conservation restrictions. Conserved forests must be managed to support the development of older forest habitats, natural ecological processes and long-term carbon storage.
Funding and deadline
Individual grant awards may reimburse up to 50% of eligible acquisition and related project costs, subject to a maximum of $425,000 per award unless the Secretary exercises discretion to increase it. The remaining eligible project costs require other funds. Application deadline: Thursday, February 18, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. The official application page does not expressly state a time zone. The current competitive solicitation identifier is BD-27-1042-ENV-ENV01-134739.
Eligible applicants and projects
Eligible applicants include Massachusetts municipalities, qualified nonprofit 501(c)(3) conservation organizations, and other eligible conservation organizations such as Land Banks. Eligible projects include acquiring forested land in fee simple or acquiring permanent conservation restrictions that protect qualifying forest reserve properties. Public passive recreation is supported where feasible. Ordinary commercial timber management and unrelated land uses do not qualify as conservation reserve outcomes. Eligibility and land stewardship restrictions in the FY2027 bid document govern.
Application requirements
Apply through the Massachusetts EEA Grant Management System. The FY2027 package requires a completed application, project narrative, budget, appraisal reports, applicant authorization, relevant maps and ecological review material, plus a municipal authorization where applicable. Applicants must request Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program comments regarding state-listed species on the proposed property. A virtual information session is scheduled for November 16, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. Applicants should review the current FY2027 bid document and all amendments before committing to an acquisition.
Official program information: Massachusetts Forest Reserves Grant Program. Controlling FY2027 bid document: FY2027 Forest Reserves Grant BID.
Source verificationOfficial government source · www.mass.govAtlas last verified this record October 29, 2026 (official FY2027 Forest Reserves bid excerpts, Massachusetts EEA program application instructions and current COMMBUYS listing). Full RFR document inspection still required before protected approval.. Always use the funder's current application materials, amendments and portal instructions as the controlling source.View source and application materials ↗
