Highlands Conservation

To conserve priority lands and natural resources and recognize the importance of the water, forest, agricultural, wildlife, recreational, and cultural resources, and the national significance of the Highlands region of the United States. Preserve and protect high-priority conservation land in the Highland regions.

Any State Agency with authority to own and manage land located within the Highlands region for conservation purposes may apply by identifying the source of non-Federal funds, describing the management objectives for the project land, identifying the purpose of the use of the land, and providing that the land will not be converted, used or disposed of for a purpose inconsistent with land conservation. State Conservation Agencies, or Counties and Municipalities within the Highlands Region, are eligible to receive grant funds and hold the fee or conservation easement interest in the acquired land.

Beneficiaries are State Agencies with authority to own and manage land within the Highlands region for conservation purposes, including the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, as well as Counties and Municipalities located within the Highlands Region.

It is the responsibility of the Highland States to submit projects to the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service for funding.

Only lands available from willing sellers in the Highlands region will be considered in the program. The Department of the Interior (DOI) has the sole responsibility for project grants. The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service will award grants to the States or their entities for the acquisition of land, or interests in land, for conservation purposes in the Highlands.