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| The Highlands Region of New York and New Jersey |
| This geographic area contains over one million acres stretching from the Lower Hudson River Valley to the Delaware River. The Highlands is an environmentally unique and important region that provides more than 450 million gallons of clean drinking water every day, serves as important wildlife habitat for neotropical migratory birds and large mammals, and hosts over 8 million recreational visitors every year. |  |
| Key Issues The following are forestry issues and resource priorities identified in the Highlands: |
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Protecting the drinking water supply | |
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Conserving the natural landscape critical as wildlife habitat and important to the long-term environmental health of the region | |
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Retaining a working landscape that provides farm and forest produce, green space for outdoor recreation, and a buffer with urbanizing areas | |
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Sustaining the environmental qualities of the region to ensure its economic viability and livability | |
| The Forest Service Role Forest Service involvement in the implementation of conservation strategies for the Highlands Region is achieved through the role of: |
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Catalyst - Participate in regional activities and promote collaboration for positive change | |
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Facilitator/Coalition Builder - Foster cooperative relationships with public, private, and citizen groups to leverage additional financial and technical resources | |
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Federal Support - Provide non-regulatory, value-added State and Private Forestry programs, through state forestry agencies, to conserve natural resources in the region | |
| Implementation Budget The following is a summary of USDA Forest Service funding provided and projected for the Highlands: |
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March 7, 2000 |
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