LMVJV Partners Snag Louisiana Outdoors Forever (LOF) Grant in First Round
In October 2023, the LMVJV partners’ “Wildlife Habitat Conservation Through Rx Fire” proposal to the Louisiana Outdoors Forever (LOF) program was approved, sending an additional $200,000 to the northern Louisiana parishes targeted by the JV’s Open Pine Landscape Restoration Partnership RCPP. The JV project was one of 13 approved as part of the LOF investment of $10 million, which leveraged additional matching funds, bringing the LOF’s first year total to $37.9 million.
Prescribed fire in open pine by Austin Klais
Bill Bartush, the LMVJV’s West Gulf Coastal Plain Partnership Coordinator, said, “I suspect the fact we had so much contribution coming from Louisiana partners (state, federal, NGO and Industry) for the RCPP helped us considerably.” The match included cash from Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries and the National Wild Turkey Federation, as well as some of the Louisiana in-kind contributions from private lands, which under the RCPP total almost $1 million annually!
The grantee, American Bird Conservancy, noted that the LOF funds will provide expanded coordination and delivery of financial incentives for private landowners on working forestlands in north Louisiana. One of the most critical, and cost-effective, management techniques for the open pine landscape in northern Louisiana (as well as the three nearby states of AR, TX, and OK) is prescribed fire. Not only does prescribed fire reduce hazardous fuels and lower the risk of wildfire, but it will also help address the degraded plant conditions, the decrease in fire management, and the deterioration of terrestrial forest habitat that are contributing to the decline of wildlife like the Northern Bobwhite, Henslow’s and LeConte’s Sparrows, Louisiana Pine Snake, Red-cockaded Woodpecker and many other species.
In addition, in November 2023 the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), which manages the LOF program, announced that an additional $27.9 million in matching funds will be provided through the program.
“This program will help meet the conservation needs of Louisiana and ensure the sportsman’s paradise will be here for generations to enjoy,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards. “The result will be increased outdoor recreation, more wildlife habitat, restored coastal and inland wetland habitats, the perpetuation of working lands, improved water quality and inner-city outdoor education programs. This is a prime example of what can happen when government and the private sector work together to benefit our state.”
Karen Gautreaux, Director of The Nature Conservancy in Louisiana and LOF Steering Committee member said, “Partnerships have been critical to the successful funding of the first 13 high priority conservation projects approved through LOF. The Louisiana Legislature, natural resource agencies, and nonprofit conservation organizations have come together to support this program based on our shared commitment to conservation of our state’s incredible natural resources – benefiting all Louisianans and visitors from around the world.”