The bill, titled the "Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2025," amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to establish a new Forest Conservation Easement Program (FCEP). This program is designed to conserve and restore eligible forest land and natural resources through the acquisition of conservation easements or other interests in land. Its core purposes include protecting the viability and sustainability of forest land, enhancing forest ecosystems, and promoting habitat for threatened and endangered species. The FCEP also aims to maintain biodiversity, enhance carbon sequestration, protect and restore watersheds, and prevent encroachment around military bases. It effectively absorbs and expands upon the functions of the Healthy Forests Reserve Program, which the bill repeals. The program defines "eligible land" as private or Tribal land that is forest land or is being restored to forest land, and includes specific definitions for beginning, socially disadvantaged, and veteran forest landowners. The program offers two main types of easements: forest land easements and forest reserve easements. For forest land easements , the Secretary of Agriculture provides funding to eligible entities, such as state agencies or conservation organizations, to purchase easements from landowners. The federal share for these easements is generally 50% of the fair market value, but can increase to 75% for forests of special environmental significance or for easements acquired from specific landowner types, including beginning, socially disadvantaged, veteran, or limited resource forest landowners. These easements are designed to protect natural resources and the forest nature of the land while permitting the landowner to continue working forest production and related uses. Applications are prioritized based on maintaining working forest viability and the inclusion of a forest management plan. The bill also establishes a certification process for eligible entities to streamline the acquisition and management of these easements, allowing them to use their own terms and conditions if consistent with program goals. For forest reserve easements , the Secretary directly assists landowners to restore, protect, and enhance eligible land, primarily focusing on habitat for threatened and endangered species. These easements can be permanent, 30-year, or for the maximum duration allowed by state law, with special provisions for Tribal lands. Compensation for permanent easements covers the difference in fair market value before and after the easement, while other durations receive 50-75% of that amount. Each forest reserve easement requires a jointly developed plan outlining activities necessary to restore, maintain, and enhance species habitat, including silviculture practices, vegetative treatments, and measures to increase carbon sequestration. Financial assistance is provided for implementing these plans, up to 100% for permanent easements and 50-75% for others, with a cap of $500,000 per easement. Landowners participating in these easements may also receive safe harbor or similar assurances under the Endangered Species Act for conservation activities that result in a net conservation benefit. The bill mandates that 10% of the program's funds for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 be set aside for beginning, socially disadvantaged, veteran, or limited resource forest landowners. It also specifies types of land ineligible for easements, such as federal or state-owned land, or land already protected by similar restrictions. The Secretary is authorized to allow subordination, exchange, modification, or termination of easements under strict conditions, requiring landowner consent and Congressional notification for terminations. The Act repeals the Healthy Forests Reserve Program but ensures that existing contracts and agreements under that program remain valid and can be funded by either prior HFRP funds or the new FCEP funds. The FCEP is authorized to receive $100,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. The bill also encourages a streamlined enrollment process and allows participants to engage in environmental services markets consistent with program goals, provided they facilitate additional conservation benefits.