The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and International Paper (IP) recently announced $743,000 in grants to support forestland restoration and working forests throughout the Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama.
The American Forest Foundation, the Nature Conservancy-Tennessee Chapter, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the National Wild Turkey Foundation and Quail Forever, Inc. have been selected to receive grants through the Forestland Stewards Initiative, a partnership of NFWF and International Paper. These five grants will leverage nearly $850,000 in additional funds and in-kind support from agency and project partners and will ultimately establish more than 2,600 new acres and enhance over 26,000 existing acres of native forest.
Established in March 2013, the Forestland Stewards Initiative is a pioneering partnership created to conserve and restore southern forestlands representing some of America’s most iconic landscapes. These forests provide critical habitats for endangered wildlife and economic opportunities for local communities. Through the initiative, International Paper has committed $7.5 million over five years to restore native forests, strengthen important fish and wildlife populations and protect watersheds, while at the same time promoting and supporting working forests in eight states across the southeastern United States.
“As we enter our second year of this partnership, the great progress we’ve made underscores International Paper’s commitment to protect and restore forest landscapes for generations to come,” said John Faraci, chairman and CEO of International Paper. “It is a winning scenario that conserves and restores some of nature’s most amazing treasures, provides economic value for landowners and communities, and ensures a sustainable supply of wood to make products that people rely on every day.”
“With this second round of grants through our partnership with International Paper we are advancing conservation in some of the most biologically diverse and culturally iconic landscapes in America,” said David O’Neill, vice president for NFWF’s Conservation Programs. “These grants will lead to on-the-ground improvements that benefit fish and wildlife and strengthen local economies by keeping working forests working.”
From the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation: https://www.nfwf.org/whoweare/mediacenter/pr/Pages/forestland-stewards-tn-pr-14-0818.aspx#.U_XoBGPFOls?utm_source=WIT082214&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=WeekInTrees