Merkley, Wyden Announce Federal Funding to Boost Private Forest Management and Build Resilience

Merkley, Wyden Announce Federal Funding to Boost Private Forest Management and Build Resilience

Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service is funding projects that will assist Tribes, nonprofits, and private forest landowners in Oregon with their efforts to manage forests sustainably and permanently conserve private forests in partnership with the state.

"Oregon's forestlands-public and private-need investments to remain healthy, and to withstand wildfires that impact us all," said Merkley. "I've long championed efforts that ensure Tribes and all those who manage our forests have the tools they need for sustainable management. These new investments will help advance our shared mission of creating and conserving healthy, resilient forests for future generations."

"Smart forest management is essential to reduce the risks of devastating wildfires threatening communities throughout Oregon," Wyden said. "That management doesn't happen by magic - it requires targeted investments just like these for Tribes along with their private and non-profit partners in the state. I'm gratified these federal funds are heading to Oregon, and will keep battling for similar resources that keep communities safe and ensure forests are healthy."

Today's investments from the U.S. Forest Service is funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and are part of nearly $210 million nationwide for Forest Landowner Support Funded Projects. These efforts include funding proposals that add financial incentives and opportunities for landowners to adopt sustainable forest management practices. Responsible forest management, like thinning dense tree stands or removing invasive species, creates healthier forests and lowers the risks of devastating wildfires.

Details of the Forest Landowner Support Funded Projects receiving funding to benefit forests in Oregon are as follows:

• $5 million for Sustainable Northwest's project to support small forest landowners in Oregon with management of forestlands to enhance resilience.
• $4,999,883 for Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc. to develop a payment-for-practice program to incentivize carbon stewardship on large-acreage forestlands in the Lake States and Pacific Northwest, including Oregon. This includes forestlands managed by Tribes and private companies. The total projected impact across the states includes treatment on 12,000 acres with a goal of over 2.8 million metric tons of total carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) benefit within 10 years.
• $4,972,802 for The Climate Trust to pay landowners in several states, including Oregon, to adopt practices that support natural and artificial regeneration that are not typically funded through existing programs. The goal of these practices is to create optimal conditions for tree growth where wildfires and deer hinder regeneration.
• $1,997,468 for Sustainable Northwest to develop Tribal wood transparency protocols to facilitate Tribal access to green building markets in wood supply chains across several states, including Oregon.

"This funding will help us partner with Tribes stewarding their lands for long-term health, cultural resources, and economic development, and also to partner with small forest landowners struggling to recover from wildfire and make their forested lands more resilient to climate change. Sustainable Northwest is known for forging these kinds of community-led solutions that support nature, people, and local economies, and we're grateful for Senator Merkley and Senator Wyden's support as steadfast leaders working toward that goal with us," said Dylan Kruse, President, Sustainable Northwest.

"The Climate Trust is thrilled to receive the award, which will allow us to better support private forest owners in their efforts to build climate resiliency and protect existing carbon stocks through active forest management. These funds are complementary our existing work developing carbon credit projects with landowners," said Julius Pasay, Executive Director, The Climate Trust.

"In Oregon specifically, The Climate Trust will be funding post-wildfire forest restoration and wildfire risk reduction activities such as hazard tree removal and fuels reduction treatments. These forest management activities are critical to making Oregon's forests more resilient to climate change and protecting their ability to continue storing carbon and producing timber," said Victoria Lockhart, Director of Reforestation, The Climate Trust.

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