{"id":589,"date":"2022-04-05T09:50:39","date_gmt":"2022-04-05T13:50:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/climatechange\/?page_id=589"},"modified":"2026-01-23T11:33:06","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T16:33:06","slug":"ncs-grant","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/climatechange\/mitigation\/ncs-grant\/","title":{"rendered":"Natural Climate Solutions Grant"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4068″ img_size=”full” css=”” el_class=”w-100″][vc_raw_html]JTNDZGl2JTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJjYXJvdXNlbC1jYXB0aW9uJTIwZC1tZC1ibG9jayUyMGQtc20tYmxvY2slMjIlM0UlMEElMjAlMjAlMjAlMjAlMjAlM0NoMSUzRVJHR0klMjBOQVRVUkFMJTIwQ0xJTUFURSUyMFNPTFVUSU9OUyUyMEdSQU5UUyUzQyUyRmgxJTNFJTBBJTNDJTJGZGl2JTNF[\/vc_raw_html][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][breadcrumb-shortcode][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_message css=””]<\/p>\n

Apply today: Natural Climate Solutions funding is currently available!<\/h3>\n

Read the Notice of Funding Availability <\/i> <\/a><\/p>\n

[\/vc_message][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Background” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:28|text_align:left|color:%2300669d” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal”][vc_column_text css=””]The Natural Climate Solutions Grant program fund<\/span>s<\/span> on-the-ground implementation projects that create, restore, and enhance New Jersey\u2019s natural carbon sinks, such as salt marshes, seagrass beds, forests, urban parks and woodlands, and street trees. Natural resources that sequester carbon play a critical role in meeting the State\u2019s 2050 goal of an 80% reduction in greenhouse gases below 2006 levels. Recognizing this, the DEP awarded up to $24.3 million dollars for blue and green carbon projects<\/span> during the first round<\/span> of this prog<\/span>r<\/span>am<\/span>. <\/span>F<\/span>unding <\/span>for this program is<\/span> made available <\/span>from<\/span> New Jersey\u2019s participation in the <\/span><\/span>Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)<\/span><\/span><\/a>, which provides the State with proceeds to invest in programs and projects designed to help meet its climate, clean energy, and equity goals.<\/span> To apply for <\/span>the second round of NCS<\/span>, which will dedicate $30 million dollars for blue and green carbon projects, see details below.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_btn title=”NCS Round 2 FAQ” style=”outline-custom” outline_custom_color=”#00669b” outline_custom_hover_background=”#00669b” outline_custom_hover_text=”#ffffff” size=”lg” align=”center” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeptest.nj.gov%2Fclimatechange%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F50%2Fncs_faq_r2-3-1.pdf|target:_blank”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_btn title=”NCS Round 2 NOFA” style=”outline-custom” outline_custom_color=”#00669b” outline_custom_hover_background=”#00669b” outline_custom_hover_text=”#ffffff” size=”lg” align=”center” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeptest.nj.gov%2Fclimatechange%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F50%2Fncs_r2_nofa.pdf|target:_blank”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_btn title=”SAGE Application Portal” style=”outline-custom” outline_custom_color=”#00669b” outline_custom_hover_background=”#00669b” outline_custom_hover_text=”#ffffff” size=”lg” align=”center” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fnjdepsage.intelligrants.com%2FLogin2.aspx%3FAPPTHEME%3DNJDEP|target:_blank”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”64px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Round 2 Project Categories” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:28|text_align:left|color:%2300669d” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]Eligible grant applicants can submit projects that fall into one of the five categories below:[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion section_title_tag=”h5″ color=”white” spacing=”1″ gap=”2″ c_icon=”chevron” c_position=”right” active_section=”-1″ collapsible_all=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1753800769594{background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”Living Shorelines” tab_id=”living-shorelines”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”602″ img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3\/4″][vc_custom_heading text=”Living Shorelines” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal”][vc_column_text css=””]Construction of l<\/span>iving shorelines <\/span>is<\/span> a shoreline management practice that <\/span>mitigates<\/span> the loss of vegetated shorelines, beaches, and habitat in the littoral zone by providing for the protection, restoration, or enhancement of these <\/span>habitats<\/span>.<\/span><\/span> Eligible projects will focus on protecting the erosion of carbon<\/span>–<\/span>rich soils in tidal wetlands.<\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Restoring Tidal Flows in Tidal Wetlands” tab_id=”restoring-tidal-flows”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”603″ img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3\/4″][vc_custom_heading text=”Restoring Tidal Flows in Tidal Wetlands” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal”][vc_column_text css=””]Eligible projects will focus on increasing salinity to decrease methane production and target increased sedimentation and vegetation cover.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Tidal Salt Marsh Vegetation Restoration” tab_id=”tidal-salt-marsh-vegetation-restoration”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”604″ img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3\/4″][vc_custom_heading text=”Tidal Salt Marsh Vegetation Restoration” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal”][vc_column_text css=””]Eligible projects will increase the cover of native salt marsh vegetation in brackish and salt water tidal wetlands to increase carbon sequestration<\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Forest Restoration” tab_id=”forest-restoration”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”606″ img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3\/4″][vc_custom_heading text=”Forest Restoration” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal”][vc_column_text css=””]Eligible projects will <\/span>establish<\/span> or reestablish forest communities and <\/span>improve <\/span>carbon sequestration trajectories with resilient native vegetation. Such projects may occur in existing degraded forests or former agricultural fields<\/span>,<\/span> or other deforested areas. <\/span>For this<\/span> grant program, a degraded forest is<\/span> defined as<\/span> a forest that has lost its <\/span>capacity<\/span> to provide <\/span>important functions<\/span> and values to people and nature. A forest restoration project must be a minimum of 1 acre in size and 120 feet wide<\/span>,<\/span> measured stem-to-stem from the outermost edge.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Urban Forest Canopy and Water Quality Enhancement” tab_id=”urban-forest-canopy-and-water-quality-enhancement”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”4221″ img_size=”medium” css=””][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3\/4″][vc_custom_heading text=”Urban Forest Canopy and Water Quality Enhancement” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal”][vc_column_text css=””]Eligible projects will <\/span>establish<\/span> and maintain trees and reduce impervious cover and stormwater runoff, while promoting groundwater recharge in urban areas. Urban land cover includes houses, buildings<\/span>,<\/span> pavement, and other areas that inhibit <\/span>the<\/span> infiltration of precipitation. <\/span>For this<\/span> grant<\/span> program<\/span>, u<\/span>rban land is<\/span> defined as spaces<\/span> subjected to non-forest uses that prevent normal tree regeneration and success, such as regular mowing, intensive grazing<\/span>,<\/span> or recreation activities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”64px”][vc_custom_heading text=”Eligibility” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:28|text_align:left|color:%2300669d” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:500%20bold%20regular%3A500%3Anormal”][vc_column_text css=””]Applicants eligible to apply for funding under this Notice of Funding Availability include:<\/p>\n