$10.7 Million Invested by Forest Legacy Program to Safeguard Forest Land in Eastern and NW Oregon

Oregon’s Minam Conservation and Connectivity Project and Tualatin Mountain Forest Project have received a significant investment from the US Department of Agriculture’s Forest Legacy program. This program aims to safeguard environmentally and ecologically important private forest lands throughout the country. These two projects in Oregon are among 34 nationwide that will receive funds to protect working forests for the benefit of wildlife, people, and climate resilience.

The funding for these investments comes from the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Inflation Reduction Act, which together provided a historic $700 million over 10 years for the permanent conservation of state and privately-owned forestlands through the Forest Legacy program. The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) administers the program in Oregon.

According to Josh Barnard, Chief of ODF’s Forest Resources Division, the investments from the Forest Legacy program ensure that working forests, which are vital to local economies, continue to thrive. These forests also provide ecological benefits such as natural watershed functions, habitat preservation for at-risk species, and climate change mitigation.

Kelley Beamer, Executive Director of the Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts, supports Barnard’s view and highlights the critical role of the Forest Legacy Program in maintaining working forests while protecting important habitats for fish, wildlife, and people. This investment represents the largest in Oregon’s working lands history under the Forest Legacy program, and land trusts are eager to leverage these funds to safeguard more ecologically and economically significant lands.

The Minam Conservation Connectivity Project phase II aims to acquire 10,964 acres of working forestland and a corridor along the Minam River in Union and Wallowa counties. Led by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, this project will also preserve the scenic viewsheds on over 2.4 million adjacent public lands. The property has been managed as a working forest since the early 1900s and will continue to generate timber and support local jobs.

Kyle Weaver, President and CEO of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, expresses gratitude for the Forest Legacy funding commitment, as it represents a vital step towards completing a landmark conservation project. The project will protect and preserve habitat for various wildlife species, including elk, mule deer, fish, and birds, while also providing access for hunters, anglers, and other recreational users.

The Tualatin Mountain Forest project aims to secure a 3,111-acre forest near Scappoose as a working research forest owned and managed by Oregon State University. This project will serve as a national model for an actively managed forest, contribute to climate change mitigation efforts, and create public access and recreation opportunities.

Kristin Kovalik, Oregon Program Director for the Trust for Public Land, highlights the potential of the Tualatin Mountain Forest project to develop a research and demonstration forest with expanded community benefits. She acknowledges the diverse partners involved in the project, including the Oregon Department of Forestry and US Forest Service, as well as Senators Merkley and Wyden for their support in securing funding through the Inflation Reduction Act and the Great American Outdoors Act.

The Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts (COLT) plays a vital role in serving and strengthening the land trust community in Oregon. COLT’s work includes building connections and advancing policies that protect Oregon’s natural world, such as water, wildlife, and open spaces. Their efforts support the 30 conservation organizations across the state that work towards protecting wildlife and wild places, preserving working farms and forests, promoting recreation and parks, driving climate solutions, championing clean water, and engaging communities in protecting the natural world.

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is responsible for protecting approximately 16 million acres of forest lands in Oregon from wildfires. They also regulate timber harvests to ensure the protection of soil, water quality, and threatened and endangered species. The Oregon State Forester, who heads the agency, approves a Forest Stewardship Plan for each project funded under the Forest Legacy Program. Through partnerships with state, local, and private entities, the Forest Legacy Program seeks to strengthen local communities across Oregon through conservation efforts.

Original Story at ktvz.com – 2023-08-01 00:59:09