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Forest Legacy

Sun reflects on the rocks and shallow waters of Pelham Stream. The stream is lined by trees, ferns and other plants.
Keeping Working Forests Working

Forest Legacy Program Investments Highlight Importance of Working Forests.

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A calm body of water surrounded by trees. Image by Dan Peracchino.
2023 Funded Projects

Forest Service announced $188 million in funded projects for 2023, made possible by the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Inflation Reduction Act.

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Screen capture of the Forest Legacy Program Interactive Map.
Forest Legacy Interactive Map

Learn more about Forest Legacy projects across the nation.

Map

A picture of a brown bear standing on the side of a river.
Forest Legacy projects provide important habitat for numerous wildlife species such as the grizzly bear. Photo by Steve Neel.

The Forest Legacy Program (FLP) is a conservation program administered by the U.S. Forest Service in partnership with State agencies to encourage the protection of privately owned forest lands through conservation easements or land purchases. Protection of private forests through FLP maintains a multitude of public benefits including:

  • Opportunities to hunt, fish, and camp
  • Clean and abundant drinking water,
  • Habitat for fish and wildlife, and
  • Timber, fuel wood, and other forest products.

Loss of forested areas poses an increasing threat to the integrity of the nation’s natural resources. As these areas are fragmented and disappear, so do the benefits they provide. By providing economic incentives to landowners to keep their forests as forests, we can encourage sustainable forest management and support strong markets for forest products.

Since its creation in 1990, FLP has conserved over 3 million acres of forest land and expanded across the country to 53 states and territories. These “working forests” protect water quality and provide wildlife habitat, forest products, opportunities for recreation and other public benefits. Explore the places and projects Forest Legacy conserves through the Forest Legacy Interactive Map.
 

https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/forest-legacy