Request for Proposals: National Park Service Resilient Forests Initiative

About:

The Eastern forests that are iconic to the national park experience, including cultural and historical parks, are at risk. Environmental stressors, including high deer populations, invasive plants and insect pests, and diseases, threaten to degrade the forested landscapes and scenic vistas cherished by millions of park visitors each year. There is a tremendous need to restore the ecological integrity and resiliency of these forests to help ensure that they contribute to ecosystem function and fulfill social values now and into the future. 39 national parks from Virginia to Maine were selected to participate in the Resilient Forests Initiative. 

For more information, visit the National Park Service RFI webpage

The Goal:

The RFI aims to reverse forest regeneration failures across Eastern national parks through active management. Stewardship approaches include removing invasive plants, planting native trees, and protecting natural native regeneration and plantings from deer populations. 

The Work: 

In partnership with the National Parks Service, the Forest Stewards Guild is seeking proposals to support forest resiliency (i.e., invasive plant control and tree planting) across four national parks: 

• Gettysburg National Military Park
• Fredericksburg Spotsylvania National Military Park
• Richmond National Battlefield
• Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area 

Bid submission deadline: October 5, 2025