Washington, D.C. - Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet introduced the National Forest Reauthorization Act of 2015 to ensure the National Forest Foundation (NFF) continues to have the resources it needs to enhance and protect national forests and grasslands.

The NFF is a nonprofit partner of the U.S. Forest Service, created in 1993, that uses public and private funds to help communities play an active role in maintaining and adding value to their national forests. The foundation has supported a number of projects throughout Colorado, including supporting youth Conservation Corps crews to restore trails and recreational areas after the devastating flood.

"The National Forest Foundation has played a key role in maintaining the health and beauty of our national forests by engaging the local community," Bennet said. "The foundation has supported countless projects in Colorado from trail maintenance work in the state's national forests to rebuilding after fires and floods to habitat restoration for wildlife. By connecting communities with their local public lands we can maintain and restore these unique treasures and preserve them for future generations."

The NFF's matching grant program has helped support conservation and stewardship projects in Colorado including those carried out by the Colorado Mountain Club, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, the Wildlands Restoration Volunteers, and the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative.

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