In addition to supplying the cleanest water of any land use, Texas forests also absorb rainfall, refill groundwater aquifers, slow and filter stormwater runoff, mitigate erosion, reduce flooding, and maintain watershed stability and resilience. Collectively, this process is known as the forest-water relationship, or watershed ecosystem services, and is valued at $13.2 billion annually. 

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A Watershed Protection Plan (WPP) is a coordinated framework for implementing integrated water quality protection and restoration strategies driven by environmental objectives. Watershed protection planning is a locally driven mechanism for voluntarily addressing complex water quality problems that cross multiple jurisdictions. Nature-based solutions that increase strategically placed tree cover protect water quality while increasing equitable access to urban tree canopy and associated health, environmental and economic benefits.

Leveraging the Texas Partnership for Forests and Water network of local government, water utilities, and non-governmental organizations, this project will support up to fifteen $50,000 grants to implement tree and forestry components of approved watershed protection plans. Areas of implementation will be limited to disadvantaged communities and prioritized watersheds identified through the assessment phase.

Submission portal will be open September 1st, 2024 to November 1st, 2024.

Link to Application Worksheet

Link to Budget Template

Application submission link

Approximately 14.4 million acres of forested lands in Texas are suitable for the production of timber. Forest operations associated with management, harvest and regeneration can potentially degrade water quality if done improperly. Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs) are the principal means of protecting water resources during forest operations.

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Texas Forests and Drinking Water Partnership

The Texas Forests and Drinking Water Partnership was established in 2015 to explore the connections between forests and drinking water, and to investigate ways to collaborate to sustain these two important and interdependent natural resources. This initiative works to increase understanding and communication between the forest and drinking water sectors and is part of a larger, regional collaborative called the Southeastern Partnership for Forests and Water.  

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Click here to access the Water Resource Program Map