Highlands Conservation Act Grant Program

What We Do

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Office of Conservation Investment administers the Highlands Conservation Act grant program, working with states, non-governmental organizations and others to sustain key landscapes in the Highlands region for the benefit of both people and wildlife.

Management and Conservation

A young girl and her mother laugh as they enjoy fishing on a boat in the middle of a lake in the summer. — Enjoy opportunities for fishing, dog walking, hiking and more in the Highlands. | Image Details

As of 2024, more than $48 million in federal funds, matched by $75 million in non-federal funds, have been spent to permanently protect more than 16,000 acres under the Highlands Conservation Act grant program.

Thanks to strong conservation partnerships and strong conservation efforts, the program continues to support important ecological and cultural resources, including productive agriculture and forests, clean drinking water, healthy wildlife populations and exceptional recreational opportunities for the benefit of the wildlife and people who call this beautiful region home.

Funding Awards by State and Year

Fiscal Year	Connecticut	New Jersey	New York	Pennsylvania	Total
2007	$492,750	$492,750	$492,750	$492,750	$1,971,000
2008	$246,100	$246,100	$984,400	$246,100	$1,722,700
2009	$241,666	$241,666	$241,666	$725,000	$1,449,998
2010	$646,666	$1,940,000	$646,666	$646,666	$3,879,998
2012	$805,333	$805,333	$2,416,000	$805,333	$4,831,999
2015	$750,000	$750,000	$750,000	$750,000	$3,000,000
2016	$2,420,000	$2,420,000	$2,420,000	$2,420,000	$9,680,000
2017	$2,420,000	$2,420,000	$2,420,000	$2,420,000	$9,680,000
2018	$2,085,000	$4,675,000	$1,460,000	$1,460,000	$9,680,000
2019	$6,205,500	$3,491,650	$7,276,000	$2,710,000	$19,683,150
2020	$1,460,000	(did not apply)	$4,460,000	$1,460,000	$7,380,000
2021	$1,460,000	(did not apply)	$1,460,000	$1,460,000	$4,380,000
2022	$1,460,000	(did not apply)	$1,460,000	$17,120,240	$20,040,240
2023	$4,882,250	$187,800	$1,462,500	$1,462,500	$7,995,050
Total	$25,575,265	$17,670,299	$27,949,982	$34,178,589	$105,374,135

Our Laws and Regulations

Highlands Conservation Act

The Highlands Conservation Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance to the States of Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania (Highland States) to preserve and protect high priority conservation land in the Highlands region, an area depicted on a National Forest Service map entitled "The Highlands Region" dated June 2004.

The Highlands Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2021 was included in the Omnibus spending bill, which was signed into law December 29, 2022.