LWCF Coalition Celebrates Protection of 3M Acres
EDITOR’S NOTE: Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a $188 million investment through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to conserve some of the most economically and ecologically significant forestlands across the nation. In response, Lesley Kane Szynal, chair of the Land & Water Fund (LWCF) Coalition, issued the following statement on behalf of the LWCF Coalition, with additional quotes from LWCF Coalition Members and Partners below.
“Today is a landmark day in the history of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Forest Legacy Program (FLP). (See the USDA press release here.)
“First, we congratulate the many partners, elected officials, US Forest Service representatives and others celebrating the completion of the Quill Hill to Perham Stream project in Western Maine, which was supported by an allocation of nearly $7.3 million from LWCF through the Forest Legacy Program. LWCF is the main funding source for FLP and was essential to ensuring this project’s success. Over its 33 year history, the LWCF-funded FLP has provided more than $82 million to Maine, protecting over 750,000 acres.
“Second, it is fitting – given Maine’s history with these programs – that Quill Hill to Perham Stream is the project that boosts the Forest Legacy Program to the historic milestone of 3 million acres protected throughout the US since the program began in 1990. Over $1.1 billion in state, local, and private dollars has been almost equally matched from LWCF to make this achievement possible.
“Third, we are thrilled that the US Forest Service announced significant investments, funded by LWCF and the Inflation Reduction Act, that will conserve more than 245,000 acres of some of the most economically and ecologically significant private forestlands across the nation, maintaining intact working forests while supporting local economies and driving natural climate solutions. This $188 million investment, $88 million from LWCF and $100 million from the Inflation Reduction Act, is supporting 34 projects in 22 states and one island territory.
“LWCF Coalition partners work tirelessly every day to protect and grow the legacy of LWCF and FLP – both important programs that enjoy wide, bipartisan support. Days like today only reinforce our commitment to protect special places and support communities throughout the US.”
More Quotes from more LWCF Coalition Members and Partners:
“The Nature Conservancy is thrilled to celebrate surpassing the 3 million acres conserved with the Forest Legacy Program with the completion of the Quill Hill to Perham Stream project in Maine. The partnership with the private forest owners, Trust for Public Land, US Forest Service, and the State of Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands and Department of Defense underscores how partnerships make this conservation program succeed. Funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Forest Legacy Program enable these partnerships, which are critical to conserving private working forests and the climate, conservation, economic and recreational values they deliver,” said Brent Keith, Federal Lands Policy Team Lead, The Nature Conservancy. “We are excited not only at the completion of this project and the significant milestone but about what we can accomplish together going forward with additional program funding through the Inflation Reduction Act for the Forest Legacy Program announced today.”
“Over the last 10 years, Green Diamond Resource Company has been a recipient of Forest Legacy Program funds for projects in a few western states. Working in partnership with, TCF, TPL, regional land trusts, public agencies, and others we’ve kept 140,000 acres of working forests intact, with more projects in the cue. These forests clean our air and water, sustain biodiversity, and support local rural economies.” Douglas Reed, President of Green Diamond.
“Outdoor Recreation Roundtable is proud to join the chorus of leaders in the outdoor space celebrating the completion of the Quill Hill Project in Western Maine, and the milestone of 3 million acres conserved nationwide through the Forest Legacy Program (FLP),” said Jessica Turner, president of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR). “This project, like all FLPs around the country, expands equitable access to outdoor recreation while simultaneously conserving the stunning land that supports the outdoor recreation economy in the area. Quill Hill’s 30,000 annual visitors will now have even more opportunity to enjoy Maine’s High Peaks through hiking, fishing, moose hunting, snowmobiling and more. Continued support for LWCF-funded FLP programs is of critical importance, so that communities from coast to coast can reap the benefits of time outside.”
“Columbia Land Trust has collaborated for decades with Tribal, community and forestry interests to ensure that the benefits of our shared natural resources endure into the future. The Forest Legacy Program is a vital piece of the puzzle, keeping forests on this landscape for generations upon generations,” said Cherie Kearney, Forest Conservation Director, Columbia Land Trust.
“The Conservation Fund commends the Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program, which has worked collaboratively with the states, private landowners and conservation organizations to conserve 3 million acres of critical forestlands that underpin local communities and timber economies across the United States,” said Larry Selzer, CEO of The Conservation Fund. “With continued investments from the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Inflation Reduction Act, we are thrilled to continue partnering with the Forest Legacy Program to conserve millions more acres of forest lands across the United States.”
“The Appalachian Mountain Club is thrilled to celebrate today’s announcement of the Forest Legacy Program reaching a tremendous national milestone. The Forest Legacy Program empowered AMC’s acquisition of the Katahdin Ironworks property, which jump-started our Maine Woods Initiative and supports outdoor recreation, climate-smart forestry practices, and local jobs. We’ve seen firsthand the myriad benefits the Forest Legacy Program has brought not just to Maine, but to the entire Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region,” said Nicole Zussman, president and CEO of the Appalachian Mountain Club. “AMC has been proud to help lead the national campaign that permanently funded FLP and the entire LWCF toolbox through the Great American Outdoors Act. With our collective effort to protect and grow this program, we know it’s just a matter of time before we’ll be celebrating four million acres conserved.”
About the Land and Water Conservation Fund
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is one of our most important conservation program, responsible for protecting parks, wildlife refuges, forests, and recreation areas at the federal, state, and local level. For 58 years, it has provided critical funding for projects that increase recreation access, safeguard drinking water, ensure equitable outdoor access, conserve wildlife habitat, protect coastlines, and ensure the continued historic preservation of our nation’s iconic landscapes from coast-to-coast. LWCF has a proud bipartisan support history and was permanently funded in 2020 through the Great American Outdoors Act.
About the Green Diamond Resource Company
Green Diamond Resource Company is a privately held forest products company with roots dating back to 1890. Today, the company owns working forest lands in Washington, Oregon, Montana, and California. A subsidiary, Green Diamond Management Company, provides forest management services in the U.S. South and West. All lands owned and managed by Green Diamond are independently audited and certified for sustainable forest management. More information about Green Diamond’s environmental leadership may be found at www.greendiamond.com.
Source: https://rvbusiness.com/lwcf-coalition-celebrates-protection-of-3m-acres/
