WASHINGTON, October 29, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Forest Service has announced a significant investment of over $265 million to conserve nearly 335,000 acres of vital forestlands across the country, supported by funding from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. This initiative includes a notable project in Pike County, Ohio, aimed at expanding local economic and ecological benefits.
Among the 21 projects funded in 17 states, the Sunfish Creek Project in Pike County has been allocated $8.2 million to acquire 3,125 acres of forestland, effectively expanding the adjacent Pike State Forest. This project is set to enhance a national and statewide hiking trail system, bolster the critical forest industry, and safeguard local waterways, ultimately generating an estimated $2 million annually for the county.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized the importance of conserving private forests for their numerous benefits. “Local communities, and our country as a whole, depend on private forests to provide clean water, habitat, recreation, and jobs,” he stated. “This investment is key to keeping the economic, social, and ecological benefits that these forests provide.”
Forest Service Chief Randy Moore echoed this sentiment, highlighting the long-standing success of the Forest Legacy Program. “For nearly 35 years, this program has allowed us to support states and landowners in their efforts to conserve important forestlands,” Moore said. “Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, we are protecting parcels we never thought we’d have the resources to secure.”
The Forest Legacy Program facilitates collaboration between states, Tribes, local communities, and landowners to identify and conserve significant private forestlands. Through a competitive process, the Forest Service selects top proposals for funding, allowing states to implement conservation efforts.
Other notable projects include the Pee Dee Basin Initiative in South Carolina, which received a $50 million investment for a 61,340-acre conservation easement, and the Stimson Timberland Legacy Project in Eastern Washington, which will conserve nearly 88,000 acres of working forests for $30 million.
Since its inception in 1990, the Forest Legacy Program has conserved approximately 3.1 million acres of forestlands across the nation. This year alone, with the support of the Inflation Reduction Act, one out of every six acres protected by the program was secured.
This initiative is also aligned with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure that 40% of federal investment benefits flow to disadvantaged communities. By preserving forestlands, the program directly supports these communities, which rely on forests for essential resources and recreational opportunities.
For more information on the Forest Legacy Program and the projects funded, visit the Forest Service website.
