Hazard Mitigation and Community Education Grants

Hazard Mitigation and Community Education Grants are provided by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry to communities, groups, and organizations to make their homes safer from wildlife. Examples of program recipients are cities, towns and communities with a risk or potential for loss from wildland fires. Communities who have developed a Community Wildfire Prevention Plan (CWPP) are eligible for funding to implement hazard mitigation and community education projects identified in their CWPP.

The Division has partnered with the Appalachian Resource, Conservation and Development Council (ARCD) in the administration and management of the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant program. The Division reviews and approves all applications for grant assistance and provides direction to the ARCD for approved community grant expenditures. Communities will be required to sign an agreement with the ARCD in order to make authorized expenditures. The ARCD will provide the community with written guidelines on how to make expenditures and submit their expenses for reimbursement.

FY 2020 Grant Timeline is below. The application period for FY 2020 is now closed.

Eligibility

Hazard Mitigation Grants fund community outreach, education, emergency planning and hazard mitigation activities such as fuel reduction through thinning and prescribed burning. Necessary activities are identified through the development of a required Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). Initial grants provided to communities are limited to a maximum of $20,000 (depending on funding). Communities may apply annually for subsequent Hazard Mitigation Grants up to $10,000. Community Education Grants, up to $500 may be applied/awarded to any community with an approved CWPP with a current Action Plan. Grant funds may be utilized for items such as postal services, print services, prevention materials supporting community meetings and education events. Communities cannot receive a Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant and a Community Education Grant in the grant period.