By Jamie Martin
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced nearly $335 million in grants to support private forestland management and conservation. These funds aim to help forest landowners adopt sustainable practices, protect against wildfires, and enhance carbon storage.
This initiative is part of the Administration’s Investing in America agenda, backed by the Inflation Reduction Act.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized the importance of forests, saying, "Forests provide innumerable benefits to people and communities, and private forestlands make up more than half of all forests in the U.S."
Of the total funding, $210 million will be distributed as competitive grants to state agencies, for-profit groups, and non-profits.
These grants encourage activities such as forest thinning, removing invasive species, and connecting small landowners with climate markets. These efforts aim to boost forest health and reduce risks from pests and wildfires.
Additionally, $125 million will be used to conserve 105,000 acres of private forests in 10 states through the Forest Legacy Program. This program ensures some lands remain privately owned while others are managed as public forests.
This initiative supports the USDA’s wildfire crisis strategy, launched in 2022, to safeguard communities by reducing hazardous fuels and wildfire risks.
For detailed information, visit the Forest Service Forest Legacy Program webpage.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National