Authors: Sentinel Landscapes Partnership

The Sentinel Landscapes Partnership Federal Coordinating Committee (FCC) is thrilled to announce three significant milestones: the 2022 Sentinel Landscapes Accomplishments Report, the designation of the South Carolina Lowcountry Sentinel Landscape, and the partnership’s 10-year anniversary. 

The 2022 Sentinel Landscapes Accomplishments Report below outlines how the Sentinel Landscapes Partnership enables the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Defense (DOD), Department of the Interior (DOI), and their on-the-ground partners to combine resources and align funding to pursue mutually beneficial land use goals in sentinel landscapes. 

The report demonstrates that through Fiscal Year 2021, projects across sentinel landscapes have attracted roughly $197 million in DOD funds, $307 million in USDA funds, $70 million in DOI funds, $324 million in state funds, $21 million in local funds, and $135 million in private funds. These contributions have permanently protected nearly 610,000 acres of land and enrolled over 3.1 million acres of land in financial and technical assistance programs.

The report also highlights case studies from the Fort Huachuca and Camp Ripley Sentinel Landscapes that illustrate how work through the Sentinel Landscape Partnership led to innovative outcomes for protecting and managing working lands.

The Sentinel Landscapes Partnership also announced the designation of the South Carolina Lowcountry Sentinel Landscape. This landscape encompasses more than 2.2 million acres of longleaf pine forest, working farmlands, salt marsh, forested wetlands, and unbroken wildlife corridors which support immense biodiversity and provide training opportunities for three military installations.  The partnership will support natural resource conservation efforts, water quality enhancement, local agriculture, climate resilience, and long-term military readiness. 

Lastly, 2023 marks the 10-year anniversary of the Sentinel Landscapes Partnership. To commemorate a decade of impact, the partnership will be hosting special events throughout the year to recognize its commitment to working with landowners and land managers to strengthen military readiness, conserve natural resources, bolster agricultural and forestry economies, increase public access to outdoor recreation, and enhance resilience to climate change. For more information on the 10-year anniversary, please subscribe to the Sentinel Landscapes Partnership listserv to receive updates, news, and announcements.

To find more information about the Sentinel Landscapes Partnership, please visit https://sentinellandscapes.org/. As always, please reach out with any questions or comments.