programs by supplying trees and shrubs at different successive levels. Plant materials are available for both private and public conservation programs and must be used for the following conservation purposes: Windbreaks Shelterbelts Woodlots Erosion Control Wildlife Habitat Christmas Tree Farms Streambank Stabilization Greenstripping Mine Reclamation Northeastern forest legacy program The Northeastern Forest Legacy Program is an alliance between the USDA Forest Service and the individual states to protect the forest for the future generations. The purpose of this program is to preserve the forest areas that are threatened by the conversion to non forest uses. Seventy five percent of the programs that belong to this alliance are funded by the government and the other 25% comes from private, state, and local communities or organizations. The technique used to protect the forests is conservation easement. Land that has scenic value, fish and wildlife value, contains endangered or threatened species are prioritized. Some of the main characteristics of the program are: It is voluntary The program helps state and local to identify important areas that need immediate attention The program is based on a “willing seller and willing buyer” concept When conservation easements are used the land remains privately owned FLP consists of protection tools such as full-fee purchase, voluntary deed restriction, and agreements Illinois Acres for Wildlife Illinois Acres for Wildlife is an Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) voluntary program designed to provide assistance to private landowners wishing to maintain their property. The ultimate goal of the program is to inform and educate landowners so they understand how their property fits into a broad management plan. The IDNR provides an initial resource assessment for participating landowners in order to design an effective management plan. No financial assistance is described or offered by the acres for wildlife program but the IDNR can provide seed and seedling stock for qualifying areas. Note: This Illinois plan was discontinued in 2020 per Jeff Horn of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. American Tree Farm System "Wood is a crop. Forestry is Tree Farming." — Gifford Pinchot, First chief of the USDA Forest Service. The American Tree Farm system is an organized collection of private landowners interested in effectively managing their woodland properties. Founded in 1941, the ATFS consists of more than of privately owned forest in 46 states. There are 4,400 volunteers who inspect the forest grounds and there are 87,000 family forest owners.