GREENVILLE, South Carolina– Seven new grants will support local stakeholders and project developers to connect public and private capital to unfunded environmental challenges in National Forests and surrounding landscapes across the United States. These seven awards represent the fourth round of funding from the Innovative Finance for National Forests Grant Program. This partnership is funded and administered by the USDA Forest Service National Partnership Office’s Conservation Finance Program and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (Endowment). “The 2024 Innovative Finance for National Forests grantees are exploring use of loan guarantees, state revolving funds, and other mechanisms to reduce forest wildfire risk, enhance watershed protection, and create new recreation opportunities,” said Pete Madden, president and chief executive officer of the Endowment.