Eligible: State Agencies
Apply by Sep 11, 2026
Apply now$5,000 - $20,000,000
The purpose of the Forest Legacy Program is to identify and conserve environmentally important forest areas that are threatened by conversion to non-forest uses. Providing economic incentives to landowners to keep their forest as forests encourages sustainable forest management and supports strong markets for forest products.
Grant
FY28 Forest Legacy Program
Department of Agriculture - Forest Service
Federal
$130000000
12
$5,000 - $20,000,000
Yes
Active
State Agencies
Land & Water Management, Resilience
Program Management
State Lead Agencies are the only eligible applicants. State Lead Agencies are responsible for coordinating with applicable Tribes, local governments, forest landowners, and/or nonprofit organizations in preparing applications.
Grant awards will support both fee-simple land purchases and permanent conservation easements to protect important forest areas from development and fragmentation to ensure conservation of important public benefits and continuation of traditional forest uses.
Priority will be given to proposals that:
▪ Provide exceptional public benefits (economic, environmental, social) that are specific to the lands to be acquired, planned for, and supported by data, evidence, and/or local knowledge.
▪ Demonstrate a clear threat to the land, illustrating that conversion to non-forest uses is imminent or likely and will result in the loss of forest values and public benefits.
▪ Contribute to a larger conservation plan, strategy or initiative, complement existing Federal land or other protected areas, and other landscape scale conservation goals.
National
No
25% non-Federal cost share is required for all proposals.
Eligible land for grants funded under this program is privately owned forest land that provides public benefits and is:
▪ Located within, or partially within, a Forest Legacy Area as designated in the State Forest Action Plan;
▪ At least 75% forested, or has a plan to reforest to at least 75% forestland;
▪ Able to be managed consistent with the purpose for which it was acquired by Forest Legacy Program; and
▪ The landowner is willing to sell or donate the interest in perpetuity.
Unspecified
Aug 5, 2026
Sep 11, 2026
General questions about the program or grant applications may be directed to the national email inbox: sm.fs.flp@usda.gov
Get answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about funding.
Reach out to get support or learn more about this opportunity.
Return to search 
