Chapter 6 Conservation Goals and Priorities
6.2.2.5 Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) State and local parks and recreation projects (e.g., recreational trails, greenways, community centers) are eligible for funds provided by the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF). This fund primarily serve the public by providing local governments (counties, incorporated municipalities, and public authorities) with dollar-for-dollar matching grants. The program is managed by the NC Parks and Recreation Authority and administered by the NCDNCR, Division of Parks and Recreation. Since 1999, more than $450 million has been awarded ($25 million annually) for 736 projects statewide. Online at https://www.ncparks.gov/about- us/grants/parks-and-recreation-trust-fund. 6.2.2.6 Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund (ADFP) The ADFP fund supports the preservation of North Carolina farmland and depends on annual appropriations from the General Assembly. The fund supports farming, forestry, and horticulture communities within the $77 billion North Carolina agribusiness industry by providing matching grants for the purchase of development rights by recording perpetual or term agricultural conservation easements (on farm, forest, and horticulture lands). The fund also provides matching grants for public and private enterprise programs that promote profitable and sustainable family farms. Grants for agricultural conservation easements give preference to lands with active production of food, fiber, and other agricultural products. Farm and forest landowners must partner with nonprofit conservation organizations or county agencies to apply for funds. In 2023, over 5,000 acres of conservation easements were established at a cost of $12.8 million. Another $2.2 million was provided for county and regional conservation programs for working farms. Online at https://www.ncagr.gov/adfp. 6.2.2.7 Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Programs Several Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs provide funds for environmental improvement and stewardship programs, staff salaries, and conservation easements. Many previous Farm Bill conservation programs were reorganized to combine previously available funding into larger programs. Among the biggest changes and newest programs are the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), which can be used to fund conservation easements. Visit the NRCS Conservation Programs website at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs- initiatives for more information. 6.2.2.8 NC Forest Legacy Program (FLP) North Carolina’s Forest Legacy Program (FLP) is a federal program that supports state efforts to protect environmentally sensitive forest lands. In North Carolina, FLP is administered by the NC Forest Service (NCFS) to help landowners, state and local governments, and private land trusts identify and protect environmentally important forest lands that are threatened by present and future conversion to non-forest uses. The most important part of forest legacy are private landowners who want to conserve the special values of their land for future generations.
6 - 5
2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator