NFWF Invests $2.5 Million to Revive Forest and Freshwater Habitats Across the Southern Appalachians
Eight projects will improve habitat on private and public lands and help landowners recover from recent natural disasters
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 18, 2025) – The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced $2.5 million in grants to implement wildlife-focused, voluntary forest management practices on private lands in the Cumberland Plateau–Southern Appalachians region of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee.
This year’s grants include $3.4 million in matching contributions from grantees for a total conservation impact of $5.9 million. These projects are focused on restoring shortleaf pine-oak, riparian and aquatic habitats of the region while benefiting forest and agricultural landowners. Notably, projects will target areas that were impacted by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina and an area of Kentucky on the Cumberland Plateau that was struck by a tornado.
The grants were awarded through the Cumberland Plateau-Southern Appalachians Stewardship Fund, a public-private partnership between NFWF and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), International Paper and the Altria Group.
The Cumberland Plateau region is the world’s longest hardwood-forested plateau. This karst, limestone-heavy region features various elevations, complex geology and landforms that allow for a globally significant diversity of habitats. The plateau and the Southern Appalachians are home to mollusks, amphibians like the eastern hellbender, rare fish like the striped darter, and birds like the golden-winged warbler and ruffed grouse. The grants announced today seek to address threats to forests and wildlife by engaging with the people who live, work and play on this landscape.
“The Cumberland Plateau is home to incredible biodiversity, natural beauty and highly productive working forests and agricultural lands,” said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF. “These grants will expand management options for willing landowners who wish to preserve and restore the natural habitat of their lands and the wildlife the lands support. These awards will also provide much needed support to landowners that continue to grapple with the aftermath of recent disasters such as Hurricane Helene.”
The projects supported by the eight grants announced today will benefit landowners in more ways than one. First, partners will provide capacity to help landowners access programs that defray the cost of management practices, helping them benefit wildlife and reduce wildfire risk from downed trees due to recent storms. The projects will help landowners recover and restore resilient native forests in these impacted areas.
“This investment is a huge step in our mission to work with private landowners to keep their forests as forests and bring back the amazing plant and wildlife of the Cumberland Plateau,” said NRCS Chief Aubrey J.D. Bettencourt. “We look forward to working alongside NFWF to ensure these projects provide lasting benefits for years to come.”
One grant will address a bottleneck to bolster shortleaf pine restoration. Availability of geographically appropriate seed sources represents a barrier to large-scale restoration. The project will collect millions of eastern shortleaf pine seeds to increase seedling availability for landowners who want to plant shortleaf pine.
“At International Paper, we believe that healthy forests are essential for thriving ecosystems and resilient communities. By supporting these projects, we’re helping restore critical habitats, strengthen biodiversity, and ensure that working forests continue to provide environmental and economic benefits for generations to come,” said International Paper Chief Sustainability Officer Sophie Beckham. “This partnership reflects our commitment to sustainable forestry and collaborative conservation.”
This year’s projects will restore or enhance forestland by planting 276,000 trees and implementing improved management practices on 1,450 acres. Additionally, the projects will remove invasive species from 285 acres of public and private land, increasing the viability of native trees and plants and improving habitat.
A complete list of the 2025 grants made through the Cumberland Plateau Stewardship Fund is available here.
About the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) works with partners to foster sustainable and impactful conservation solutions so that people and nature thrive together. Chartered by Congress in 1984, NFWF has grown to become the nation’s largest conservation foundation. Since its founding, NFWF has funded more than 23,300 projects that have generated a total conservation impact of more than $11.3 billion. Learn more at nfwf.org.
About International Paper
International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a leading global supplier of renewable fiber-based products. We produce corrugated packaging products that protect and promote goods, and enable worldwide commerce, and pulp for diapers, tissue and other personal care products that promote health and wellness. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 38,000 colleagues globally. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2021 were $19.4 billion. See how we’re building a better future for people, the planet, and our company at internationalpaper.com/Vision-2030.
About the Natural Resources Conservation Service
For 90 years, NRCS has helped farmers, ranchers and forestland owners make investments in their operations and local communities to improve the quality of our air, water, soil, and wildlife habitat. NRCS uses the latest science and technology to help keep working lands working, boost agricultural economies, and increase the competitiveness of American agriculture. NRCS provides one-on-one, personalized advice and financial assistance and works with producers to help them reach their goals through voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs. For more information, visit nrcs.usda.gov.
About Altria Group
Altria Group is a Fortune 200 company located in Richmond Va. Altria’s tobacco companies include some of the most enduring names in American business including Philip Morris USA, the maker of Marlboro cigarettes, and U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, the maker of Copenhagen and Skoal. Altria complements its total tobacco platform with ownership of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, a collection of distinctive wine estates, and significant equity investment in Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world's largest brewer.
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Contact:
Matt Winter, 202-857-0166, matt.winter@nfwf.org