Reforestation, nurseries, and genetic resources support

(a) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible recipient The term eligible recipient means— (A) a State forestry agency; (B) an Indian Tribe; and (C) a private nursery that has experience, as determined by the Secretary, in growing high-quality native trees of appropriate genetic sources in bareroot or container stocktypes specific for reforestation, restoration, or conservation, including native plants and seeds that are of cultural significance to Indian Tribes. (2) Nursery The term nursery means a tree or native plant nursery. (3) Seed orchard The term seed orchard means a tree or native plant seed orchard. (4) State The term State means— (A) each of the several States; (B) the District of Columbia; (C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and (D) any territory or possession of the United States. (b) Partnerships, collaboration, and other assistance in support of nurseries and seed orchards The Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall— (1) partner with Federal and State agencies, Indian Tribes, institutions of higher education, and private nurseries to provide training, technical assistance, and research to nursery and tree establishment programs that support natural regeneration, reforestation, agroforestry, and afforestation; (2) promote information-sharing to improve technical knowledge and practices and understand demands, climate change impacts, and other issues as necessary to address all facets of the reforestation supply chain; (3) provide technical and financial assistance to international nursery and tree establishment programs through the Forest Service International Programs, the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, and the International Institute of Tropical Forestry; (4) collaborate with other relevant Federal departments and agencies, including the Foreign Agricultural Service, the United States Agency for International Development, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and international organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, to provide technical and financial assistance relating to nurseries and reforestation; (5) coordinate the efforts of the Department of Agriculture— (A) to address the challenges associated with the reforestation supply chain; and (B) to leverage economic development assistance for work with private nurseries; and (6) expand reforestation supply chains through science and research, seed collection and storage, and nursery infrastructure and operations. (c) Nursery and seed orchard grants (1) In general Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish or expand an existing program to provide grants to eligible recipients to support nurseries and seed orchards. (2) Eligible projects An eligible recipient that receives a grant under paragraph (1) shall carry out a project that comprises 1 or more of the following activities: (A) The development, expansion, enhancement, or improvement of nursery production capacity or other infrastructure— (i) to improve seed collection and storage; (ii) to increase seedling production, storage, and distribution; or (iii) to enhance seedling survival and properly manage tree genetic resources. (B) The establishment or expansion of a nursery or seed orchard, including by acquiring equipment for a nursery or seed orchard. (C) The development or implementation of quality control measures at nurseries or seed orchards. (D) The promotion of workforce development within any facet of the reforestation pipeline. (E) Such other activities as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.