USDA funds forest conservation in southern Utah
Zion National Park and surrounding areas to benefit from conservation easements
Contact Information: Angela Hawkins 385-453-4157 angela.hawkins2@usda.gov
OGDEN, Utah, Dec. 16, 2024—The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced nearly $335 million to support private forest landowners and strengthen conservation efforts across the nation as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act.
Two projects near Zion National Park will receive $2.75 million to conserve critical wildlife habitats.
The Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program has awarded $1.5 million for the Zion Clear Creek Canyon project and $1.25 million for Zion Cave Canyon project. Both project areas are located on the eastern border of Zion National Park in Kane County, Utah.
“Funding these awards reflect our commitment to preserving and managing the natural beauty and environmental resources of the Intermountain Region,” said Intermountain Regional Forester Mary Farnsworth. “The Zion Clear Creek and Cave Canyon conservation easements will help protect water resources, wildlife habitat, and migration corridors while ensuring public access to some of Utah’s most iconic landscapes.”
Zion Clear Creek Canyon Forest Legacy Program Project
The $1.5 million award will be used to acquire a conservation easement on a 202-acre property, which will safeguard critical water resources, habitat for threatened and endangered species, and migration corridors for key game species. This project will also enhance public access to trails connecting to existing trails within Zion National Park.
Zion Cave Canyon Forest Legacy Program Project
The $1.25 million award will fund a conservation easement on a 177-acre property, protecting the scenic Cave Canyon and its rims. In addition, this project will also protect wildlife and scenic view and improve public access to the property and adjacent conserved lands.
In addition to the specific funding for the Intermountain Region, the Forest Service’s broader Forest Legacy Program has allocated nearly $125 million to conserve 105,000 acres of private forestlands across 10 states, including Utah. These projects are a part of the USDA’s strategy to improve forest management, reduce wildfire risks, and contribute to environmental conservation.
For details on these funded proposals, visit the Forest Service Forest Landowner Support Funded Projects webpage.
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