Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP)

Under the Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP), the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) purchases conservation easements from or enters into 30-year contracts or 10-year cost-share agreements with eligible landowners who voluntarily cooperate in the restoration and protection of forestlands and associated lands. To participate in HFRP, a landowner must agree to the implementation of an HFRP restoration plan, the effect of which is to restore, protect, enhance, maintain, and manage the habitat conditions necessary for either of the following: to increase the likelihood of recovery of listed species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA); to measurably improve the well-being of species that are not listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA, but are in any of the following categories: Candidates for such listing; State-listed species; Species identified by the Chief for special consideration for funding. NRCS may provide cost-share assistance for activities that promote the restoration, protection, enhancement, maintenance, and management of forest ecosystem functions and values.