The Forest Legacy Program (FLP) is administered by the USDA Forest Service in cooperation with state partners. The Program is voluntary, designed to provide conservation value to working forests in the face of development pressure. Using funds from LWCF, the program provides grants to states to permanently protect forested properties through conservation easements or direct acquisition. FLP projects typically restrict development, require sustainable forestry practices, and protect other public values like clean water, wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration, and public access for sportsmen and other recreation enthusiasts. Prior to enrolling in the program, each state undertakes an “Assessment of Need” which identifies the “Forest Legacy Areas” within the state where FLP grants can be used.
Now working in 53 states and territories, the program is highly competitive and focuses on projects with strong conservation partnerships. To date, the program has helped protect over 2.8 million forested acres across the U.S.
Eligibility
- State governments are the only eligible applicants but may partner with private landowners, nonprofits, and/or local and Tribal Governments.
- Conservation easements to protect threatened private working forestlands from development, retaining drinking water, habitat, recreation, and/or economic forest value.
- Purchase of threatened forestland to ensure it remains a working forest and preserve benefits listed above.
- Projects must be within or partially within a designated Forest Legacy Area (FLA).
- Projects require at least 25% non-federal match, which can include donation of land value.
Core Project Scoring Criteria
- Importance of the natural, recreational and economic resources involved.
- Degree to which the area is threatened by conversion to non-forest use.
- Strategic conservation value in the broader landscape context.
- Readiness of the project to move forward.
- State Priority Rank among other Forest Legacy projects in the state.
- Supporting Parties within the community.
Project Information
Past Projects
Top Photo: Tumbledown Mountain, Credit: Caleb Abbott