The Texas Forest Legacy Program is a cooperative effort between the Texas Forest Service and the USDA Forest Service to protect environmentally important forestlands from conversion to non-forest uses. This goal is accomplished through the purchase of conservation easements from willing Texas landowners within the Forest Legacy Area as designated by the Assessment of Need.

These easements protect conservation values while allowing forest landowners in Texas to maintain the economic and recreational uses of their forests. By offering interested Texans this opportunity, the Texas Forest Service hopes to sustain the benefits of Texas forests, including economic development, enhanced water and air quality, habitat diversity, and historical preservation.

In order to participate in the Forest Legacy Program, the Texas Forest Service compiled an Assessment of Need document (see publications), evaluating existing forest resources and conditions, identifying threats to Texas forests, and detailing how the program will work in Texas.

Click the following to view the Legacy Area Counties.

2009 Application for 2011 Federal Funding