Federal Funding

Federal funding provided by the Highlands Conservation Act has helped protect more than 9,405 acres of the highest valued conservation lands in the region, in partnership with non-profit organizations and state and local governments. Provided through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, Highlands funding has contributed $24 million to land conservation and has leveraged $48 million in non-federal dollars.

The Highlands Conservation Act expires in 2021, and the reauthorization campaign is ongoing. Download relevant Fact Sheets to learn more and communicate the importance of this federal program.

Highlands Conservation Act

The Highlands Conservation Act (HCA) provides for the purchase and preservation of threatened lands in a four-state Northeastern corridor that includes NY, NJ, CT, and PA.  In 2004, Congress passed HCA, authorizing $10 million a year in land conservation funding and $1 million a year in technical assistance for land conservation projects in the Highlands region for a period of 10 years. The program was reauthorized through 2021.

Most recently, the Highlands Conservation Act has been funded at $10 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, $20 million in FY 2019, and $10 million in FY 2016-2018.

Highlands Conservation Act

Yearly Funding Levels

Highlands Conservation Act

Federally Funded Projects

Map and data provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.