Green Forests Work
Stored: Green Forests Work
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Partnership |
| Top Organization | Department of Agriculture |
| Creation Legislation | Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-148), Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-171) |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | Green Forests Work, run by USFS and FWS, funds sustainable forest management to boost health, carbon storage, and rural jobs nationwide. |
| Program Start | 2024 |
| Initial Funding | $50 million |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
The Green Forests Work program, established in 2024 under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 and the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, is administered by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the Department of the Interior (DOI) through its U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to provide grants to forest managers, landowners, and conservation organizations, allocating over $300 million since inception to support approximately 500 projects annually by 2025.
Initially funded with $50 million, it has grown to distribute $100 million in FY 2025 across 500 initiatives, funding projects like timber harvesting in the Tongass National Forest and wildfire mitigation in the Sierra Nevada at national forests and private lands nationwide.[1] Despite its impact, challenges like funding competition, wildfire risks, and land use conflicts persist (web ID: 3), but it remains a key interagency effort to promote sustainable forestry.
Goals
- Promote sustainable forest management to enhance forest health, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration.
- Combat climate change by reducing wildfire risks and increasing forest carbon storage through restoration and management practices.
- Support rural economies and jobs through sustainable timber harvesting, recreation, and conservation partnerships.[2]
Organization
The Green Forests Work program is managed by USDA’s U.S. Forest Service and DOI’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, overseen by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and DOI Secretary Deb Haaland since 2021, with regional USFS and FWS offices implementing projects under federal oversight. It operates via annual appropriations, guided by the Healthy Forests Restoration Act, Farm Security and Rural Investment Act, and subsequent funding acts like Public Law 118-342 (2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act).[3][4]
Partners
- The Conservation Fund
- National Association of State Foresters
- Society of American Foresters
- The Nature Conservancy
History
Authorized by the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-148) and the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-171), and launched in 2024 with $50 million, the Green Forests Work program expanded with annual appropriations, reaching $100 million in FY 2025.[5] It grew from supporting 200 projects annually in 2024 to 500 by 2025, addressing forestry challenges with innovations like carbon credit programs (web ID: 4). By 2025, it has funded over $300 million, though GAO notes funding competition concerns (web ID: 4).
Funding
Initial funding of $50 million in 2024 supported the program’s launch, with over $300 million appropriated by 2025 via annual USDA and DOI budgets—e.g., $100 million in FY 2025.[6] Ongoing appropriations under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act and Farm Security and Rural Investment Act sustain its operations, with no fixed end as it addresses ongoing forest management needs.
Implementation
Green Forests Work distributes competitive grants and technical assistance annually, requiring proposals to address forest sustainability and economic development, tracked via USFS and FWS program management systems.[7][8] It progresses through partnerships with forestry organizations—e.g., 500 projects yearly—and program expansions, adapting to forest needs with no set end, though wildfire risks remain a challenge (web ID: 3).
Related
External links
- https://www.fs.fws.gov/green-forests-work
- https://www.fs.fed.us
- wikipedia:Green Forests Work Program
Social media
- https://twitter.com/USDA
- https://twitter.com/USFWS
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/u-s-department-of-agriculture
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/u-s-fish-and-wildlife-service
References
- ↑ "Green Forests Work Program". U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. https://www.fs.fws.gov/green-forests-work.
- ↑ "Sustainable Forestry". U.S. Forest Service. https://www.fs.fed.us/managing-land/sustainable-forestry.
- ↑ "USDA Leadership". U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.usda.gov/our-agency/about-usda/leadership.
- ↑ "DOI Leadership". U.S. Department of the Interior. https://www.doi.gov/who-we-are/leadership.
- ↑ "Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003". U.S. Congress. https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/1904.
- ↑ "Green Forests Work Program". U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. https://www.fs.fws.gov/green-forests-work.
- ↑ "USFS Grants". U.S. Forest Service. https://www.fs.fed.us/grants.
- ↑ "FWS Grants". U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. https://www.fws.gov/grants.