This grant will support technical assistance and training resources to develop the expertise of land conservation practitioners and increase the number of appraisers qualified to undertake valuation…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service awarded Land Trust Alliance, Inc. a $667,000 Project Grant under the Inflation Reduction Act - Forest Legacy Program (CFDA 10.734) on July 30, 2025, with a completion date of May 31, 2028. This grant funds technical assistance and training resources designed to enhance the expertise of land conservation practitioners and increase the number of appraisers qualified to conduct property valuations for federally funded conservation transactions. By strengthening the capacity of conservation professionals and appraisers, this funding supports the broader Forest Legacy Program mission of conserving vital working lands through conservation easements and fee simple acquisitions.

The training and technical assistance provided through this award will directly benefit the Forest Legacy Program's collaborative conservation efforts involving states, non-governmental organizations, and private landowners. The work ultimately supports multiple conservation outcomes including protection of working forests from conversion, reduction of wildfire threats, provision of public access, water resource security, and maintenance of wildlife habitat. Land Trust Alliance, as a national nonprofit headquartered in Washington, DC, leverages its expertise in land conservation to deliver capacity-building initiatives that strengthen practitioners' abilities to execute federally funded conservation projects nationwide.

This grant will support technical assistance and training resources to develop the expertise of land conservation practitioners and increase the number of appraisers qualified to undertake valuation assignments for federally funded conservation transactions. The forest legacy program works in partnership with states, non-government organizations and private landowners to conserve vital working lands through conservation easements and fee simple acquisitions. The lands conserved by these partners benefit local economies, reduce wildfire threats, provide public access, secure drinking water, and maintain wildlife habitat.