Natural Climate Solutions Grants

Purpose of Funding
The Natural Climate Solutions Grant program will fund on-the-ground implementation of projects that create, restore, and enhance New Jersey’s natural carbon sinks, such as salt marshes, seagrass beds, forests, urban parks and woodlands, and street trees in order to meet New Jersey’s climate, clean energy, and equity goals

Image of a salt marshApplication
NJDEP | Climate Change | NJ Climate Mitigation | Natural Climate Solutions

Application Deadline
TBD

Notification Date
TBD

Source of Funding
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) auction proceeds

Statutory Citation
N/A

Who is Eligible
Applicants eligible to apply for funding under this Notice of Funding Availability include:

  • State, county, and local government units within New Jersey, including State government agencies or school boards;
  • New Jersey universities and colleges;
  • Interstate agencies of which New Jersey is a member;
  • Private landowners owning property in New Jersey (note: private property project must provide matching funds);
  • Nonprofit organizations recognized by the Internal Revenue Service under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code authorized to operation in the State of New Jersey.

Qualifications Required for Consideration
The 2020-2022 Strategic Funding Plan identified two initiatives for the investment of DEP’s carbon sequestration funding: Promoting Blue Carbon in Coastal Areas and Enhancing Forests and Urban Forests (Green Carbon).  Eligible types of blue carbon projects include Living Shorelines, Restoring Tidal Flows in Tidal Wetlands, Tidal Salt Marsh Vegetation Restoration, and Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Restoration, while eligible green carbon projects include Forest Restoration and Urban Forest Canopy and Water Quality Enhancement.

Grant Limitations
Grant funds will be awarded on a reimbursement basis upon submission of a completed expenditure report with supporting documentation.  Match is only required for private, for-profit entities or individuals.

Application Procedures
Proposals for Natural Climate Solutions grants must be submitted electronically using NDEP’s System for Administering Grants Electronically (NJDEP SAGE).

Additional Information 

For More Information or to Request an Application, Contact
Tony Rho
NJRGGI@njdepwptest.net