Local Forestlands Included in Conservation of 27,000 Acres of Private Forestland to Benefit Communities

Press release from the US Forest Service:

The Forest Service announced June 29th that 27,000 acres in California and Hawai’i will be conserved thanks to $16 million in Forest Legacy Program funding. These investments ensure the most critical forestlands will continue to benefit people and communities, including recreation opportunities, vibrant local economies, and thriving ecosystems. 

This is part of a larger announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service to provide $188 million in funding through the Forest Legacy Program to conserve more than 245,000 acres of some of the most ecologically significant forestlands across the nation. This program works to maintain intact working forests while supporting local economies.  

The Forest Legacy Program identifies important forestlands threatened by conversion to non-forest use and works with state agencies and private landowners to conserve them as forests in perpetuity. The program is implemented through grants to states, which work with landowners to conserve working forests through conservation easements or fee simple acquisitions.   

In all, four Forest Legacy Program projects were funded in California; the Brushy Mountain Phase 3, Eel River Peninsula Project; Maunawili Valley, Hawai’I; Kaneohe Pali, Hawai’I and the fourth project on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.  The Trinity Timberlands Project conservation easement will protect 12,090 acres of private working forestland that shares 36 miles of common boundary with the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and Six Rivers National Forest, keeping whole one of the largest national forest inholdings in northwest California.  With an investment of $3 million roughly 12,090 acres can be protected.

The increase in funding provides a major opportunity to advance the most critical conservation issues facing our nation’s forests, including protecting watersheds, mitigating wildfire risk, conserving habitat for at-risk species, and mitigating climate change. The funding ensures working forests — vital to the fabric of local economies and the health of the environment remain working forests — benefit the communities that rely on them.

The funding marks a significant step in maintaining working forests for future generations in the Pacific Southwest Region. It boosts local economies and improves public access to natural spaces while safeguarding critical wildlife habitat and water quality.  

The conservation of these forests is made possible by the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Inflation Reduction Act, which is investing $700 million in the Forest Legacy Program over the next 10 years to conserve forest resources critical to the social, physical, and economic well-being of people and communities. 

In addition, the Forest Service is announcing $250 million in available funding for 2024 through the Inflation Reduction Act. States can apply for this funding to conserve additional forestlands deemed critical to local communities.  

For the complete list of funded projects and how the Forest Service works with states to conserve forestlands through this program, visit the Forest Legacy webpage.