Date: 10/29/2024
Type: Implementation of IRA
On October 29, 2024, the USDA announced that it has awarded $265 million to fund 21 conservation projects on 335,000 acres of working forests across 17 states. The funding is through the Forest Legacy Program, which “encourage[s] the protection of privately owned forest lands through conservation easements or land purchases.” The grants are awarded through a competitive process. Some of the forest land will be purchased by states to conserve as public land, while other land will remain under private ownership but will be permanently protected.
The Forest Legacy Program is funded by IRA section 23003, which appropriated money to support forestry conservation programs.