EEA seeks to further the goals of the Woodlands Partnership by increasing economic development related to sustainable forestry and natural resource-based tourism, and increasing forest conservation and sustainable forestry on private and municipal lands. Therefore, tasks suitable for funding under this bid include, but are not limited to: • Innovative projects that support local sustainable forestry, forest conservation, riparian restoration or natural resource-based tourism including those outlined in the Woodlands Partnership 2023 Plan; • Acquisition of trail easements, river protection easements or municipal forest or conservation land or the purchase of conservation restrictions to conserve forest; • Studies to inform natural resource-based tourism programs or implementation of projects such as signage, tourism facilities or woods roads or trail repairs that support hiking, bicycling, rafting, hunting, fishing or other outdoor recreational activities; • Planning work and/or the implementation of demonstration or research forests; • Projects that increase or improve visitor use and access to town forests, trails, or rivers including addressing public safety. • Studies or inventories required to prepare a forest carbon credit market project, or forest stewardship plan and/or other, related tasks such as implementation of a forest stewardship climate plan; • Technical assistance to businesses or landowners that will promote sustainable forestry practices or enhance opportunities for natural resource-based tourism; or • Planning work or other activities to assist communities with funding applications to secure additional financial assistance to further the Woodlands Partnership goals
