Pioneering wildlife friendly climate smart pine straw markets

This Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service under the Inflation Reduction Act Landscape Scale Restoration program (CFDA 10.731) provides $1,938,770.00 to the National Wildlife Federation to implement a 5-year project titled "Pioneering Wildlife Friendly Climate Smart Pine Straw Markets." The project aims to support climate mitigation and forest resilience practices for non-industrial private forest landowners, with a focus on increasing climate change adaptation, supporting forest health, and facilitating market access for underserved and historically marginalized landowners. Key activities include providing cost-sharing, technical assistance, outreach, and education to help landowners participate in emerging environmental markets such as carbon offset and ecosystem services programs. The project will utilize partnerships with local, state, and regional entities to deliver these services and extend the program's impact through sub-awards to support localized conservation efforts.