Forest Legacy Funding

The Forest Legacy program is a voluntary program of the USDA Forest Service providing grants to states for the purchase of conservation easements and fee acquisition of environmentally-sensitive or threatened forest lands. The United States loses more than half a million acres of privately-owned timberland to development each year, resulting in a loss of livelihood for some, a loss of places to explore nature for many, a loss of environmental quality for us all.  The Forest Legacy Program provides an alternative to selling timberland for development: assistance in private, voluntary conservation. 1,145,586 acres have been protected as of February 2006. See a list of projects by fiscal year.

The Forest Legacy Program provides grants to enrolled states to purchase conservation easements or fee acquisition on environmentally important forest lands that are threatened with conversion to non-forest uses. Land trusts can provide invaluable assistance with their experience bringing landowners and projects to the table, negotiating and monitoring easements, and can participate in many other ways. More

"Healthy Forests Reserve Program"
In November 2003, the Congress established a new "Healthy Forests Reserve Program", providing payments for private forest landowners who agree to plans to protect and improve habitat for endangered and potentially endangered species. Regrettably, this program included the purchase of 99-year conservation easements, rather than permanent easements. Nevertheless, this program may provide significant financial assistance for landowners wanting to pursue management of their forest lands for endangered species.  Many details are yet to be decided, and funding will depend on future appropriations.

Online Catalog of Federal Funding for Watershed Protection
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides the Catalog of Federal Funding Sources for Watershed Protection online as an easy to use, searchable website. The site provides information for watershed practitioners and others on 84 Federal funding sources that may be available to help fund various watershed-related projects. The Catalog of Federal Funding Sources for Watershed Protection is located here: http://cfpub.epa.gov/fedfund/.

News on Federal Programs from the Trust for Public Land
Check the Trust for Public Land's Washington Watch for news and updates on federal funding opportunities. The Washington Watch provides timely information and highlights on public policy issues and federal funding opportunities that relate to land conservation. Washington Watch will be updated every two weeks throughout the legislative cycle.