Plus new opportunities for 2026
Plus new opportunities for 2026
News focused on funding & financing
nature-based solutions
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Updates from CFN

By design, the CFN is a lean entity that relies on a small, hard-working staff. So it is with sadness but excitement for her that we report that our colleague Mary Powers will be leaving to join the American Forest Foundation next month in its Family Forest Carbon Program. Before departing, she shared a few reflections about her work.

“While funding can feel scarce, some of the most innovative and promising work is happening right now, particularly in underserved communities that have long had to do more with less. What can make a big difference in times like these is having a community to call upon for ideas and support. That’s the power of a strong network. As the CFN knows, it takes time and effort to build and maintain relationships. People consistently told me that what they love most about CFN convenings is the chance to try out ideas, hear other peoples’ challenges, share or receive helpful resources. This is what creates real value and the potential for change and impact.” 

We thank Mary for her service and wish her the best in her future endeavor. Please stay tuned as CFN will be releasing soon our "CFN 2.0," or a strategic vision for our work over the next couple of years, and a job announcement for an exciting new position. In the meantime, we hope you will find useful the information below and wish you all the best in the year ahead. It promises to be an eventful one! 

Sincerely,

Peter Howell
Executive Director
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From the Field

News & Resources

New Global Study Maps Policy for Nature Credit Markets
This report by the International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits, in collaboration with the Environmental Policy Innovation Center and Forest Trends’ Ecosystem Marketplace, describes the role of policy in advancing nature credit systems around the world, including different approaches governments take to set standards, engage in markets and identify strategies for improving market integrity. (Ecosystem Marketplace)
The End of Climate Finance as Usual
Lest one get too dispirited by the federal government’s retreat from combatting climate change, Quantified Venture’s Tee Thomas offers a fresh perspective on innovations in climate finance bubbling up from the grassroots. (Quantified Ventures)
Map of Land and Water Conservation Projects
This map, developed by the Trust for Public Land, illustrates the range of land conservation projects across the country supported by the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, which was fully by the Great American Outdoors Act (signed by President Trump in 2020), as well as projects seeking funding. (Trust for Public Land)
The Business Case for Urban Trees
Urban trees provide multiple benefits from cooling cities and improving air and water quality to providing recreational opportunities and boosting property values. But what happens when storms cause severe damage to urban trees?  A new report examines how insurance policies covering urban trees could be structured and whether it’s feasible. (UC Santa Cruz)
Conservation Finance Takes Center Stage
In a wide-ranging piece, the Lincoln Institute describes the evolution of conservation finance and the role of the Conservation Finance Network and other partners in advancing effective and innovative funding and financing practices. (Lincoln Institute of Land Policy)

From Our Partners

Land Trust Alliance Strategic Plan
The Land Trust Alliance is developing a new strategic plan and seeks your input! Please fill out their survey here.  


Funding Opportunities

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Conservation Stewardship Program

Applications Due: Rolling basis
Environmental Quality Incentives Program
Applications Due: Rolling basis
Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program
Applications Due: Rolling basis until funds are spent

US Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Education Grant Program
Applications Due: March 3, 2026
San Francisco Bay Restoration Grants
Applications Due: March 3, 2026

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

Longleaf Landscape Stewardship Fund 2026
Applications Due: January 29, 2026
Chesapeake Bay Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Grants 2026
Applications Due: February 12, 2026  for pre-proposals, May 2026 for full proposals
Klamath Basin Forests and Watersheds Restoration 2026
Applications Due: February 17, 2026
Northern Great Plains Program 2026
Applications Due: February 25, 2026
Healthy American Forests Initiative
Applications Due: March 17, 2026
Rio Grande Project Drought Resilience Efforts Initiative 2026
Applications Due: March 26, 2026
Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants 2026
Applications Due: April 2, 2026

Other
Bush Foundation Community Innovation Grants & PRIs
Applications Due: Rolling Basis
Open Space Institute Delaware River Watershed Revolving Fund
Applications Due: Rolling Basis
William Penn Foundation
2025-2027 Grant Cycle
Applications Due: April, July, and October 2026 Click here for RFP webinars
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
Applications Due: Varies by Program and Region
Colorado Nonprofit Bridge Loan Fund
Applications Due: Rolling Basis
Gulf of America Alliance Biodiversity Net Positive Impact
Applications Due: January 30, 2026
Gulf of America Alliance 2026-2027 Gulf Coast Adaptation and Resilience Planning Support
Applicatiosn Due: January 30, 2026
NDN Collective Community Action Fund
Opening January 2026
The Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program
Applications Due: February 13, 2026
The New York Climate Resilience Grant Program: Water
Applications Due: February 13, 2026
The New York Climate Resilience Grant Program: Land
Applications Due: February 13, 2026
The Climate Smart Communities Initiative
Applications Due: March 12, 2026
Clif Family Foundation
Applications Due: March 1, 2026 and August 1, 2026

Virtual & In-Person Events

Climate Smart Communities Initiative Steps to Resilience
Online course
Yale Forest Forum - From Timber to Tomorrow

Webinar series
Every Tuesday through April 28, 2026
Trust for Public Land Communities of Practice
Webinar series
February 12, April 9, June 11, 2026
Building an Inclusive Conservation Vision Founded Upon Ecological Values and Social Opportunities
Webinar
February 18, 2026
Land Trust Alliance Rally
Proposals Due: February 17
In-person: September 16-19
Denver, CO
Gathering Waters Wisconsin Land Trust Conference
In-person: UW-Milwaukee School of Continuing Education Downtown Conference Center Milwaukee, WI
March 11 - 13, 2026
U.S. Indigenous Data Sovereignty Network
National Association of Environmental Professionals Annual Conference & Training Symposium
In-person: Anchorage, AK
May 11-14, 2026
City Parks Alliance Greater & Greener 2026
In-person: Austin, TX
June 13-16, 2026

Jobs & Fellowships

Midwest
Geneva Lake Conservancy
Executive Director
Wisconsin
Openlands
Multiple openings
Illinois

Northeast
Policy Coordinator, Land Conservation
Massachusetts
Appalachian Mountain Club
New England Policy Manager
Massachusetts
Executive Director
Massachusetts

Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust
Community Engagement Manager
New Hampshire
Island Heritage Trust
Development Director
Maine

East

Trust for Public Land
Conservation Director - Mid Atlantic
NY, NJ, CT, PA
Conservation Lands Manager
New York

Southeast
The Nature Conservancy
NC Mountains Forest Recovery Director
North Carolina

South
Trust for Public Land
Associate Director - Florida Conservation Finance
Florida
Chief Finance and Operations Officer
Florida
Executive Director
Florida
Georgia-Alabama Land Trust
Conservation Specialist
Georgia


Southwest
Land and Water Program Director
Arizona

West

Pacific Forest Trust
Conservation Projects Manager
California
Save Mount Diablo
Assistant Development Director
California
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Property Management Specialist
California
Agricultural Outreach Associate
California

Northwest
Director of Philanthropy - Northern Rockies
MT or WY
Executive Director
Washington
Indigenous Community Liaison
Oregon

Remote
American Farmland Trust
New England Policy Manager
Remote
American Farmland Trust
Senior Agricultural Land Protection Capacity Manager
Remote or D.C.
National Forest Foundation
Multiple openings
Remote
Investment Associate
Remote

Fellowships & Internships
Hoover Institution
Enviropreneur Fellowship Program
Oregon Desert Land Trust
Trout Creek Ranch Summer Internship
Oregon
Finger Lakes Land Trust
Summer Internship
New York
Delaware River Watershed Fellow
Pennsylvania
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