USDA Forest Service announces landscape scale investments to restore forests across tribal, state, and privately managed lands | US Forest Service

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service Invests $16.2 Million in Forest Restoration

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service has announced a $16.2 million investment to restore forests across tribal, state, and private lands. This funding is significant as it marks the first time the Forest Service will provide Landscape Scale Restoration program grants directly to federally recognized Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations for the restoration of priority forest landscapes on tribal lands, including trust lands, reservation lands, and other lands owned by tribes.

Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Forest Service’s investment aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 15: Life on Land. By restoring forests, the projects contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, promoting biodiversity, combating climate change, and ensuring the provision of ecosystem services.

“Threats to forests like wildfires, insects, and disease do not stop at jurisdictional boundaries, which is why these investments in healthy and resilient forests extend beyond boundary lines,” said Forest Service Chief Randy Moore. “These grants are critical for improving the nation’s forests that provide a range of environmental, social, and economic benefits to the American people.”

“The Landscape Scale Restoration program is an important way we work with communities across all lands,” said Forest Service Deputy Chief for State, Private, and Tribal Forestry Jaelith Hall-Rivera. “This year, the Landscape Scale Restoration program is directly supporting Tribes to improve the health and resilience of tribal lands. Making this program directly available to Tribes to restore tribal trust lands is an important step in honoring our commitment to strengthening our nation-to-nation relationships.”

The Landscape Scale Restoration program also supports the Forest Service’s 10-year strategy to protect communities from catastrophic wildfires, contributing to Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Selected Projects for Funding

The Forest Service reviewed project requests from federally recognized Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations and selected 11 projects for funding. These projects aim to restore and enhance forest landscapes on tribal lands. The selected projects are:

• Kuskokwim Corporation for the Kuskokwim Climate Resilient Forestry and Harvest program, Alaska – $295,200
• Kenaitze Indian Tribe for land improvement and supportive services, Alaska – $300,000
• Seneca Nation of Indians for Ode:ka’ for creating biodiversity through indigenous methods of prescribed fire, New York – $300,000
• Pueblo of Isleta for Isleta East Mountains fuels reduction, New Mexico – $277,076
• White Mountain Apache Tribe Mount Baldy fuels reduction, Arizona – $300,000
• Coeur d’Alene Tribe Hangman Creek Watershed Restoration, Idaho – $298,466
• Hoopa Valley Tribe hazardous fuels reduction, California – $298,466
• Kalispel Tribe of Indians for improved forest management through biochar air curtain burners, Washington – $122,434
• Pechanga Band of Indians restoration of goldspotted oak borer-affected coast live oaks on the Pechanga Reservation, California – $298,846
• Yurok Tribe for a forest inventory project on the Yurok Reservation – $299,190
• Redwood Valley Rancheria Little River Band of Pomo Indians for landscape-scale restoration, California – $208,788

In addition to funding for Tribes, $13.2 million will be invested in 53 landscape-scale projects through three non-profits representing state forestry organizations. These projects aim to reduce wildfire risk, restore specific ecosystems, and combat invasive species, contributing to various SDGs across different regions of the United States.

For a complete list of funded projects for Fiscal Year 2023, please visit the Forest Service website. More information about the Landscape Scale Restoration Program can also be found online.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.
   • Indicator: The article mentions that the Forest Service will invest $16.2 million to restore forests across tribal, state, and private lands. This investment aims to restore priority forest landscapes on tribal lands, including trust lands, reservation lands, and other lands owned by tribes.

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Indicator: The article states that the funded projects aim to restore healthy, resilient, climate-adapted forests. This indicates a focus on strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.
   • Indicator: The article mentions that the Landscape Scale Restoration program supports the Forest Service’s 10-year strategy to protect communities from catastrophic wildfire. This indicates an effort to safeguard natural heritage and protect communities.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: fs.usda.gov

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