nrcs

NRCS Program Helping to Build Healthy Forests

Dan Forestry, USDA-NRCS

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Since the 2018 Farm Bill was enacted back in December, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has been working to implement programs that offer strong support for conservation efforts of America’s farmers and ranchers.

One of those programs is the Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP). It helps landowners restore, enhance and protect forestland resources on private and tribal lands through easements and financial assistance. Through HFRP, landowners promote the recovery of endangered or threatened species, improve plant and animal biodiversity and enhance carbon sequestration.

HFRP provides landowners with 10-year restoration agreements and 30-year or permanent easements for specific conservation actions. Some landowners may avoid regulatory restrictions under the Endangered Species Act by restoring or improving habitat on their land for a specified period of time.

Land enrolled in HFRP easements must be privately owned or owned by Indian tribes and restore, enhance or measurably increase the recovery of threatened or endangered species, improve biological diversity or increase carbon storage.

Learn more about the HFRP at your local NRCS office.