The Nature Conservancy and Georgia Forestry Commission Applaud Bush Administration’s Support for Forest Legacy Projects in FY08 Budget

Paulding Forest Named As #1 Priority for Federal Forest Legacy Funding

Atlanta— April 25, 2007— The Nature Conservancy and the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) applaud President Bush’s recent inclusion of the Paulding Forest for $3.5 million in his funding request for the Forest Legacy Program for Fiscal Year 2008.

Spanning 11 square miles and just 35 miles outside of metro Atlanta, the 7,091-acre Paulding Forest is one of the last and largest forest strongholds in metro Atlanta. The Nature Conservancy and GFC have been actively working with Chairman Jerry Shearin and the Paulding County Commission, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Association of County Commissioners, the Georgia Wildlife Federation and the Conservation Fund to secure federal Forest Legacy funds to aid in the purchase of the forest.

“We are pleased that despite such tight budgetary constraints this year, the President and the United States Forest Service (USFS) recognized Paulding Forest as the top priority for federal funding,” said Tavia McCuean, vice president and state director of The Nature Conservancy in Georgia. “The Paulding Forest is a unique example of the Montane longleaf ecosystem, one of the rarest and most endangered in the world, and the popular Silver Comet trail runs through the forest. This funding will help ensure that this precious forest will continue to thrive and provide numerous benefits to our local communities.”

"The Paulding Forest project represents a great example of how multiple state agencies, along with conservation organizations and private landowners, can work together to conserve significant lands,” said Buford Sanders, forest legacy coordinator, Georgia Forestry Commission. “The protection of this intact, working forest will provide multiple benefits of clean water, clean air, and timber and wildlife resources for Georgians to use and enjoy for generations to come."

The Forest Legacy Program is a partnership between the USFS, state governments and private landowners that identifies and protects ecologically important forest habitat which is threatened by possible development or unsustainable practices. Program objectives are met through land acquisition or the use of conservation easements, which protect working forests while meeting important conservation goals.

Georgia’s congressional delegation also made it clear that the Paulding Forest project is unique.

"President Bush has made it clear that the Paulding Forest is his top priority for the Forest Legacy program,” said U.S. Congressman Phil Gingery, who represents this area in Congress. “This is a tremendous benefit to the citizens of Paulding County. As Paulding is one of the fastest growing counties in Georgia, we must take care to preserve green space for community use. Whether you're an outdoorsman, a nature enthusiast, or just someone who wants to get away every now and then, the Paulding Forest will prove an exciting addition to our community."

Along with applauding the Bush administration for including funding for Paulding Forest in his budget, The Nature Conservancy, GFC and their partners also commend Senators Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) for their ongoing support for the conservation of Paulding Forest and other conservation projects in Georgia.

“I have always believed that working toward a cleaner, safer, healthier environment is a worthy goal that we can all share,” said Senator Saxby Chambliss. “Protecting Georgia’s natural areas like Paulding Forest is another step in that direction.”

“Protecting Paulding Forest is a long-term investment that will ensure this rich natural resource continues to support economic opportunities and is preserved for future generations to enjoy,” said Senator Johnny Isakson. “The conservation of Paulding Forest is a testimony to the partnership between public and private interests to protect this important natural area.”

“The Nature Conservancy commends Senators Chambliss and Isakson for their continued support of Forest Legacy projects in Georgia,” said McCuean. “Due to their leadership at the federal level, Georgia has received $7.75 million in Forest Legacy funds during fiscal years 2003-2006. Their efforts are helping to ensure that important natural places like Paulding Forest will be around for generations to come.”

About Forest Legacy
Since its first appropriations in Fiscal Year 1992, the Forest Legacy Program has conserved nearly one and a half million acres across 35 states and territories. This program has also provides excellent leverage of the forest conservation federal investment by protecting over $607 million of land value with a Federal investment of $301 million.

The Bush Administration’s Forest Legacy Program budget is part of the larger Fiscal Year 2008 funding bill for the Department of the Interior and the USFS. For fiscal years 2003-2006, more than $7.75 million in Forest Legacy funds have been allocated to Georgia conservation projects. Forest Legacy funds have been dedicated to projects throughout the state, including the Altahama River, Broxton Rocks and Pine Mountain.

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 15 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 102 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.