The Conservation Fund Statement Celebrates Forest Legacy Program Investments  

From Larry Selzer, President & CEO, The Conservation Fund: 

“The Conservation Fund celebrates the U.S.D.A. Forest Service’s announcement of transformative new investments through the Forest Legacy Program, using funds provided by the Inflation Reduction Act in 2024. Forests provide essential ecological, economic, and community benefits to all Americans, and this announcement showcases the Forest Legacy Program’s dedication to conserving private forestlands of national importance by working together with states, private landowners, and conservation organizations. The Conservation Fund is proud to play a key role in this effort, working hand in hand with communities to deliver locally driven conservation solutions that bolster rural economies and protect our natural heritage.  We look forward to advancing additional projects that conserve working forests, safeguard biodiversity, and contribute to climate resilience and rural prosperity.” 

Additional Information: 

In 2024, the Forest Legacy Program leveraged nearly $544 million from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Land and Water Conservation Fund to conserve over 608,000 acres of forestland. These investments include landmark funding for several projects supported by The Conservation Fund, safeguarding nearly 36,000 acres of critical forest landscapes. These efforts bolster working forest economies, enhance wildlife habitats, advance locally driven conservation initiatives, and contribute to natural climate solutions. Highlights of this year’s Inflation Reduction Act Forest Legacy investments include: 

• Ames State Forest, Tennessee: $16.95 million to conserve 5,477 acres of forestland vital to local communities and wildlife. Located in the predominantly rural and agricultural landscape of southwestern Tennessee, this project protects the upper reaches of the Wolf River, a crucial recharge source for the Memphis Sand Aquifer, which supplies drinking water to over 1 million Memphis-area residents. 

• Roxbury State Forest Expansion, Vermont: $495,000 to add 348 acres, enhancing an already significant state resource. This project strengthens connectivity to the U.S. Forest Service’s Green Mountain National Forest and further protects a 3,554-acre block of contiguous forestland, ensuring ecological resilience and recreational opportunities for Vermonters. 

• Zion Cave and Clear Creek, Utah: $2.75 million to conserve 379 acres of ecologically significant forestland. This project protects valuable habitats and the watershed, secures recreational access, and sustains the viewshed of Zion National Park, benefiting both Utah residents and the park’s ecosystems. 

• Mt. Adams Phase III, Washington: $36 million to conserve 29,778 acres of critical forestlands in the Pacific Northwest. Located east of the City of White Salmon, this project protects a forested landscape with 40 miles of adjacency to federal, state, and Yakama Nation lands between the Wild and Scenic White Salmon and Klickitat Rivers, ensuring the integrity of regional ecosystems and supporting timber economies. 

• Ossipee Lake-Heath Pond Bog Natural Area expansion, New Hampshire: $400,000 to safeguard 88 acres of ecologically significant land. This addition to the 1,368-acre Heath Pond Bog Natural Area, a National Natural Landmark, protects vital wetlands, riparian areas, and drinking water sources for downstream communities, while contributing to floodwater mitigation—a critical concern in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. 

Media Contact:
Julia Roberson, jroberson@conservationfund.org

General Media Contact: media@conservationfund.org