The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established both the PROTECT Formula and Discretionary Grant Programs. The PROTECT Discretionary Grants Program funds projects on a competitive basis that address the climate crisis by … Read more
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.
Eligible Uses
Landowners may participate in the Forest Legacy Program by either selling their property outright or by retaining ownership and selling only a portion of the property’s development rights; both are held by state agencies or another unit of government. The use of a conservation easement, a legal agreement between a landowner and a non-profit land trust or governmental agency, allows the land to remain in private ownership while ensuring that its environmental values are retained.
Eligible Recipients
State and local governments, individuals, tribal governments, and non-profit organizations are all eligible recipients.
Approx Annual Funding Amount
The annual funding amount varies depending on Federal Offshore drilling fees, but has ranged from $64 million in 2020 and 2019 to $94.3 million in 2021.
Cost Share Requirements
Non-federal cost share must be at least 25% of the total project cost. Each state can have up to 1-3 projects funded and cannot receive more than $20 million of federal funds.
Application Cycle
Deadlines for proposals are typically in late summer/early fall.
Contact
Scott Stewart, Forest Legacy Program Manager, (202) 205-1618, scott.stewart@usda.gov
