Applications Being Accepted for Forest Legacy Program

The state is seeking new projects involving protection of forest lands that might otherwise be subject to development.

The program is funded by Congress through the US Forest Service and administered in Hawaii by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

The Hawaii Forest Legacy Program already protects more than 45,000 acres of private land in the state. Most of that is located on the Big Island and includes more than 16,000 acres in Kona  and the 25,000-acre Wao Kele o Puna forest.

The program focuses on the acquisition of partial interests in privately owned forest lands.

That can be done through fee title acquisition of the property or through the use of conservation easements, legally binding agreements transferring a negotiated set of property rights without removing the property from private ownership.

Most of the program’s conservation easements restrict development, require sustainable forestry practices and protect other values.

The deadline for the next round of Forestry Legacy Program applications is Aug. 20.

Applications are available at http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/forestry/hflp.

Landowners and non-profits entities who are interested in participating in the Forest Legacy Program should contact Irene Sprecher at the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife at (808) 587-4167 or Melissa.I.Sprecher@hawaii.gov to discuss their property and interest in the program.