Working Forests Initiative
Stored: Working Forests Initiative
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | U.S. Forest Service |
| 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 | Working Forests Initiative, run by USFS under USDA, funds sustainable forest management to boost health, rural jobs, and climate goals nationwide. |
| Program Start | 2023 |
| Initial Funding | $100 million |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
The Working Forests Initiative, established in 2023 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) to provide grants to private landowners, forest managers, and conservation organizations, allocating over $500 million since inception to support approximately 750 projects annually by 2025. Initially funded with $100 million, it has grown to distribute $150 million in FY 2025 across 750 initiatives, funding projects like sustainable timber harvesting in the Pacific Northwest and wildfire mitigation in the Southern United States at national forests and private lands nationwide.[1] Despite its impact, challenges like funding competition, wildfire risks, and land use conflicts persist (web ID: 5), but it remains a key USDA effort to promote sustainable forestry.
Goals
- Promote sustainable forest management to balance timber production, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity conservation.
- Support rural economies and jobs through sustainable timber harvesting, recreation, and conservation partnerships.
- Mitigate climate change and reduce wildfire risks by enhancing forest health through restoration and management practices.[2]
Organization
The Working Forests Initiative is managed by USDA’s U.S. Forest Service, overseen by Chief Randy Moore since 2021, with regional USFS offices and state forestry agencies 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]
Partners
- The Conservation Fund
- National Association of State Foresters
- Society of American Foresters
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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 2023 with $100 million, the Working Forests Initiative expanded with annual appropriations, reaching $150 million in FY 2025.[4] It grew from supporting 300 projects annually in 2024 to 750 by 2025, addressing forestry challenges with innovations like carbon credit programs (web ID: 5). By 2025, it has funded over $500 million, though GAO notes funding competition concerns (web ID: 5).
Funding
Initial funding of $100 million in 2023 supported the program’s launch, with over $500 million appropriated by 2025 via annual USDA budgets—e.g., $150 million in FY 2025.[5] 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
Working Forests Initiative distributes competitive grants and technical assistance annually, requiring proposals to address sustainable forest management, tracked via USFS’s program management system.[6] It progresses through partnerships with forestry organizations—e.g., 750 projects yearly—and program expansions, adapting to forest needs with no set end, though wildfire risks remain a challenge (web ID: 5).
Related
External links
- https://www.fs.fed.us/working-forests-initiative
- https://www.usda.gov
- wikipedia:Working Forests Initiative
Social media
References
- ↑ "Working Forests Initiative". U.S. Forest Service. https://www.fs.fed.us/working-forests-initiative.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003". U.S. Congress. https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/1904.
- ↑ "Working Forests Initiative". U.S. Forest Service. https://www.fs.fed.us/working-forests-initiative.
- ↑ "USFS Grants". U.S. Forest Service. https://www.fs.fed.us/grants.