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The Forest Society's Matt Leahy recently met with Senator Jeanne Shaheen and other local conservation leaders at Mink Brook Nature Preserve. Left to right: Heidi Trimarco, President of the Board of the Hanover Conservancy, Matt Leahy, Forest Society Public Policy Director, Julia Griffin, Hanover Town Manager, Amy Lindholm, AMC, Senator Shaheen, J.T. Horn, TPL (Photo: Courtesy of Senator Shaheen)
Senator Shaheen recently toured the Mink Brook Nature Preserve in Hanover, a Trust for Public Land (TPL)-led project, to discuss her efforts to increase funding in two key federal forest conservation programs- the Forest Legacy Program and the Community Forest Program. Joining her were staff of the Forest Society, TPL, the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Hanover Conservancy and Hanover town officials. Read our op-ed thanking Senator Shaheen for her support of these programs.
Congress is currently considering a substantial investment in forest conservation that would grow the economy, create jobs, and take critical action on climate change. We were glad to see that the House Agriculture Committee included $40 billion for forestry provisions in their reconciliation legislation. Included in that bill is a critical $1.25 billion investment in the Forest Legacy Program, which helps states and private forest owners maintain working forest lands, as well as $100 million for the Community Forest Program, which was the key to protecting Mink Brook.
Both of these programs are vital tools to protect natural infrastructure and climate resilience, while empowering communities to shape their land use according to their unique needs and values. We would encourage readers to thank Senator Shaheen for support of them.