To be eligible for inclusion, a property must be 75% forested with timber or riparian woodland species, and meet all of the following four eligibility criteria. Properties less than 40 acres in size will generally not be considered unless they contain significant features, such as endangered species habitat or rare types of forest.
1. Threat To meet this criterion, the property must be threatened by one of the following:
Conversion to non-forest uses;
Further subdivision into smaller parcels.
2. Public Values To meet this criterion, the property must possess one or more of the following public values:
Natural aesthetic or scenic values;
Public education opportunities;
Public recreation opportunities;
Riparian areas;
Fish and wildlife habitat;
Threatened or endangered species habitat;
Cultural and historical resources;
Traditional forest uses; and/or
Other important ecological values.
3. Planning To meet this criterion, the property must have one of the following:
A Forest Stewardship Plan or equivalent forest management plan approved by the State Forester or his or her designated representative in accordance with National Forest Stewardship Program criteria, or
Where land is acquired in fee or timber management rights are transferred in the conservation easement, a management plan will be developed by the organization acquiring those rights.
4. Funding To meet this criterion, there must be non-federal matching funds of at least 25% available in the form of cash and/or in-kind contributions.
