Scott Stewart

Forest Legacy Program Manager

Claire Harper

The purpose of the Forest Legacy Program is to identify and conserve environmentally important forest areas that are threatened by conversion to non-forest uses. Providing economic incentives to landowners to keep their forest as forests encourages sustainable forest management and supports strong markets for&#x2004;forest products.


Landowners may participate in the Forest Legacy Program by either selling their property outright or by retaining ownership and selling only a portion of the property’s development rights; both are held by state agencies or another unit of government. The use of a conservation easement, a legal agreement between a landowner and a non-profit land trust or governmental agency, allows the land to remain in private ownership while ensuring that its environmental values are retained.




The purpose of the Forest Legacy Program is to identify and conserve environmentally important forest areas that are threatened by conversion to non-forest uses. Providing economic incentives to landowners to keep their forest as forests encourages sustainable forest management and supports strong markets for forest products.

Landowners may participate in the Forest Legacy Program by either selling their property outright or by retaining ownership and selling only a portion of the property’s development rights; both are held by state agencies or another unit of government. The use of a conservation easement, a legal agreement between a landowner and a non-profit land trust or governmental agency, allows the land to remain in private ownership while ensuring that its environmental values are retained.


A proposed project’s eligibility to be included in the Forest Legacy Program (FLP) is determined by both the Federal requirements included in this section plus any requirements identified by a State Forest Action Plan or other pertinent State law. For the purposes of these implementation guidelines, a proposed FLP tract meets the minimum eligibility if: 
- It is within, or partially within, a designated FLA.
- It has a minimum of 75 percent forestland or a documented plan that includes sufficient landowner capacity to reforest to at least 75 percent forestland. 
- It can be managed consistent with the purpose for which it was acquired by FLP.
- The landowner is willing to sell or donate the interest in perpetuity.
- The landowner acknowledges that the conservation easement will be held by a government entity if Federal funds are used for the acquisition.

State and local governments, individuals, tribal governments, and non-profit organizations are all eligible recipients.

Payment per unit of land to do or avoid certain practices related to land management.

Easement

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

A payment that requires some percentage of matching contributions by the recipient.

Cost Share

Forestry

Forest Residues

Timber

- Inflation Reduction Act Call For Funding
- Land and Water Conservation Fund Call for Funding
- Forest Legacy Program Scoring Guidance
- Program Implementation Guidelines (PDF
- FS Budget and Performance
- FS Strategic Plan


Air Quality

Carbon Capture

Certification

High Tunnel

Landscape

Regenerative

Soil Health

Wildlife & Pollinator Habitat

Trees

Certified Organic

Certified Grassfed

Cover Crops

Reduced Tillage

Water Management

Landowners with completed FLP conservation easements on their property(s) have the longterm responsibility for managing their land in a manner consistent with the purposes of the FLP and the terms specified in the conservation easement and Multi-Resource Management Part II – Forest Legacy Program Structure and Funding 16 Forest Legacy Program Implementation Guidelines Plan. Landowners who purchase or inherit properties with FLP conservation easements also assume these long-term roles.

To apply, reach out to your local USDA service center.

Clint Cross

Matthew Vandersande

The Joint Chiefs' Landscape Restoration Partnership enables NRCS and the Forest Service to collaborate with states, agricultural producers, forest landowners, tribes and public land managers to invest in conservation and restoration at a big enough scale to make a positive difference. Working in partnership, and at&#x2004;this scale, helps reduce wildfire threats to communities, protect water quality and supply, and improve wildlife habitat for at-risk species.


2025 Projects: USDA is investing more than $8 million for five new projects through the Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership Program. The $8 million investment in new projects is in addition to $32 million for 24 existing three-year-long projects. These projects reduce wildfire risk, protect water quality, and improve forest health across the nation.


Since 2014, USDA has invested more than $423 million in 134 projects in 42 states as well as Guam and Puerto Rico.



The Joint Chiefs' Landscape Restoration Partnership enables NRCS and the Forest Service to collaborate with states, agricultural producers, forest landowners, tribes and public land managers to invest in conservation and restoration at a big enough scale to make a positive difference. Working in partnership, and at this scale, helps reduce wildfire threats to communities, protect water quality and supply, and improve wildlife habitat for at-risk species.

2025 Projects: USDA is investing more than $8 million for five new projects through the Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership Program. The $8 million investment in new projects is in addition to $32 million for 24 existing three-year-long projects. These projects reduce wildfire risk, protect water quality, and improve forest health across the nation.

Since 2014, USDA has invested more than $423 million in 134 projects in 42 states as well as Guam and Puerto Rico.

List of Forest Service (FS) Funding Opportunities