According to the USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) 2019 report for California, 179,446 acres of forestland convert to non-forest use (such as subdivisions for residential or commercial development) annually. While that may seem like a relatively small number compared to the 31+ million acres of forestland overall in California, it means a great deal if that land is next to yours.
For 32 years, the USDA Forest Service and CAL FIRE have collaborated with forest landowners and other partners to preserve over 117,000 acres of forest lands in California through the Forest Legacy Program. The goals of the Forestry Legacy Program (FLP) are to protect environmentally important forestland threatened with conversion; and preserve public resource values such as water, air, wildlife habitat and recreation. This includes the protection of important scenic, cultural, fish, wildlife, and recreational resources, riparian areas, and other ecological values. Traditional forest uses, including timber management, as well as hunting, fishing, hiking, and similar recreational uses are consistent with the purposes of the FLP. In California, the legacy program is comprised of two separate but complementary programs: the Federal Forest Legacy Program and the California Forest Legacy Program. These programs are implemented through conservation easements, usually held by a non-profit such as a conservancy or land trust, or in the case of the Federal Forest Legacy Program, held by the state.
Forestland held in the Forest Legacy Project. Image from the USDA Forest Service
Why participate?
Owning and managing forestland can be expensive. Having a conservation easement through the Forest Legacy Program provides revenue to invest in the maintenance and preservation of your forest.
"The Forest Legacy program was absolutely wonderful in helping us achieve (our goals). Their goal of preserving forests and preserving open space is the same as ours." Dale Silva, Forest landowner and Forest Legacy Program Participant.
Landowners with completed FLP conservation easements on their property(s) have the long-term responsibility for managing their land in a manner consistent with the purposes of the FLP and the terms specified in the conservation easement. For Silva this means being able to continue grazing cattle, harvesting timber, and hunting.
Silva Ranch. Photo by Dale Silva
“The easement holder will visit the ranch to make sure that we are not violating any of the terms of the easement. There are some things for which we need their approval and other things we need to advise them that we're doing. Neither is burdensome at all. Their advice is welcomed.” Dale Silva
Landowners who purchase or inherit properties with FLP conservation easements also assume these long-term roles.
Interested in pursuing the Forest Legacy Program? Here's what you need to do first.
Interested forest landowners should reach out to California State FLP Director, John Ramaley (John.Ramaley@fire.ca.gov) or Kevin Kiniery, FLP Coordinator (Kevin.Kiniery@fire.ca.gov) to discuss the program in general and state specific requirements.
Read more about the Forest Legacy Program through the Forest Stewardship Education April 2023 Newsletter or join us for a free evening outreach session on May 18th, 6:00pm – 7:30pm via zoom.