TX Forest Legacy Program Grant

The TX Forest Legacy Program, managed by the Texas A&M Forest Service, protects vital forests at risk of conversion. It promotes voluntary conservation easements among private landowners, preserving forestland while allowing land ownership and sustainable practices. The program operates annually, accepting submissions from January to June for review, with funding support covering 75% of easement costs. Applications are competitively selected, ensuring the most promising conservation projects are prioritized.

NOTE:
Texas A&M Forest Service accepts projects from January 1 through June 30 each year.This gives the TFLC time to review and give suggestions before sending the application to the Regional Review Panel, which will review the projects in August and rank them based on their ability to satisfy the objectives of the program.  The proposals then go on to the National Review Panel, which meets in November.  We can actually take submissions anytime during the year, but if they miss the current year’s review periods, they will have to wait until the next year.
How it works
The Forest Legacy program allows our agency to buy conservation easements on forestland to keep it in its natural, forested state. Landowners can still own their land and keep most of their rights, like the ability to harvest timber and sell the property.
The conservation easement is added to the property deed, so it stays with the land even if the property is sold or transferred. The U.S. Forest Service covers 75% of the cost to purchase the easement and the landowner covers the remaining 25%. The landowner’s share can come from other sources like nonprofit organizations. It can also be a “bargain sale” where the landowner only receives 75% of the appraised easement value.
Applications for the program are selected through a competitive process by the U.S. Forest Service, which has a limited budget each year. This means that not all applications will be approved, and only those with the greatest potential for conservation are chosen. Applications can be re-submitted each year if not selected.

Eligibility

In order for projects to qualify, the following requirements must be met:
Be within the Texas Forest Legacy AreaBe a willing seller of the rights determined in the conservation easement Have clear title to the land Work with the agency’s Forest Legacy Coordinator and Texas Forest Legacy Committee to identify the source of the 25% matching funds Be willing to allow the agency and/or committee members to make an on-site visit to the property by appointment