Department of Defense Legacy Resource Management Program

Welcome to the Department of Defense Legacy Resource Management Program (Legacy Program) Home Page

Mission – The mission of the Legacy Program is to provide coordinated, Department wide and partnership-based integration of military mission readiness with the conservation of irreplaceable natural and cultural resources.

The Secretary of Defense established the Legacy Program through the 1991 Defense Appropriations Act, Public Law 101-511, Section 8120, with the defined legislative purposes to identify, manage, inventory, conserve, restore and rehabilitate significant biological, geophysical, cultural, and historical resources existing on or involving Department of Defense (DoD) lands, facilities, and property. The Legacy Program was established under the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Environment. The Legacy Program was amended through the National Defense Authorization Act (Fiscal Year 1997), Public Law 104-201, Section 2694 of Title 10, to enable the Secretary of Defense to conduct and manage coordinated conservation and cultural activities.

Leadership, Stewardship and Partnership are the three principles that have guided the Legacy Program for the past three decades. By embracing a conservation leadership role as part of the Legacy Program, the Department serves as a model for respectful use of natural and cultural resources. Legacy stewardship projects and initiatives assist DoD in safeguarding its irreplaceable resources for future generations. And through its mutually beneficial partnerships and collaborations, the Legacy Program strives to access the knowledge, expertise, and available resources of groups and individuals outside of DoD.

The Legacy Program is a 33-year-old strategic and competitive funding program that has served as a DoD conservation program leader and an incubator of innovative DoD land management strategies and installation priorities. Since its establishment, the Legacy Program has funded over 3,200 projects (60% natural resources and 40% cultural resources), for a total funding amount of $380 million. Furthermore, over 300 military installations worldwide have received and benefited from Legacy Program project funding.