The United States Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Robert Bonnie announced a multi-year partnership between the United States Forest Service (USFS) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) called the Chief’s Joint Landscape Restoration Partnership. This partnership will invest $30 million in 13 projects in 12 states across the country in 2014: additional funding will be available in future years. This announcement is part of President Barack Obama’s Climate Action Plan to cut carbon pollution and slow the effects of climate change.
The partnership aims to help reduce wildfire threats to communities and landowners, protect water quality and water supply, and to improve wildlife habitat for at-risk species. “Wildfires and water concerns don’t stop at boundaries between public and private lands,” NRCS Chief Jason Weller said. “By working together, we can provide more focused and effective assistance to help public and private landowners and managers put conservation solutions on the ground nationwide.”