Forest Legacy Program
Intact forest lands supply timber products, wildlife habitat, soil and watershed protection, aesthetics, and recreational opportunities. However, as these areas are fragmented and disappear, the benefits they provide also fade.
The Forest Legacy Program supports state efforts to conserve forest lands and the benefits they provide.
Designed to encourage the protection of privately owned forest lands, the Forest Legacy Program is an entirely voluntary program. It encourages and supports acquisition of conservation easements, legally binding agreements transferring a negotiated set of property rights from one party to another, without removing the property from private ownership. Most Forest Legacy Program conservation easements restrict development, require sustainable forestry practices, and protect other values.
Program Activities
The Forest Legacy Program focuses on conservation in two ways. First, Forest Legacy Program directly supports property acquisition. Additionally, the program supports efforts to acquire donated conservation easements.
Eligibility
Participation in Forest Legacy is limited to private forest landowners. To qualify, landowners are required to prepare a multiple resource management plan as part of the conservation easement acquisition. The federal government may fund up to 75% of project costs, with at least 25% coming from private, state, or local sources. In addition to gains associated with the sale or donation of property rights, many landowners also benefit from reduced taxes associated with limits placed on land use.
Program Administration
The USDA Forest Service administers the Forest Legacy Program in cooperation with State partners. The state grant option allows states a greater role in implementing the program. Forest Legacy Program also encourages partnerships with local governments and land trusts, recognizing the important contributions landowners, communities, and private organizations make to conservation efforts.
Contact US
Forest Service
Amy Singh
Forest Legacy Program Manager
Regions 6 & 10 - Pacific Northwest and Alaska
US Forest Service
P.O. Box 3623
Portland, OR 97208-3623
Phone: 608-213-5123
amy.singh@usda.gov
Washington State
Forest Legacy Program Manager
Washington Department of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 47014
Olympia, WA 98504-7014
Phone: 360-902-1636
Fax: 360-902-1789
Forest Legacy Program | WA - DNR
Oregon State
Private Forestry Division
Oregon Department of Forestry
2600 State Street
Salem, Oregon 97310
Phone: 971-718-1054
Oregon Department of Forestry : Private Forest Accord : State of Oregon