USDA announces over $210 million investment in land, water conservation

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USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the USDA Forest Service will invest more than $210 million to fund Great American Outdoors Act projects, with an aim to support rural economic recovery, safeguard critical forests and wetland habitat, and improve public access to forests as well as grasslands.

“These investments reflect President Biden’s commitment to supporting locally led conservation efforts from coast to coast and to honoring and building on the proud private land stewardship traditions of farmers, ranchers, and forest owners,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

“The investments will not only protect our natural heritage, they will also create jobs, expand access to the outdoors, and help tackle climate change,” Vilsack added.

Notably, the Forest Service administers two LWCF programs:

• Forest Legacy Program

• Land Acquisition Program

Together, these schemes protect critical and strategic lands across the nation’s forests on not only private but also public lands.