The U.S. Forest Service is granting $52.2 million for "working forest" projects in 2012 as part of its Forest Legacy Program, which is one component of President Obama's America's Great Outdoors initiative.
Intact working forests supply timber products, wildlife habitat, soil and watershed protection, aesthetics, and recreational opportunities. According to the Forest Service, the program uses a competitive process to strategically select ecologically and socially important projects facing the greatest threat of conversion to other land uses.
"The Forest Legacy Program helps keep working forests working across the country," said Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. "These projects will support rural economies and American jobs while protecting some of our most beautiful landscapes for our children and grandchildren." The grants will also go toward conservation projects.
The full list of projects can be found here.
