AUGUSTA — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing $4.6 million in support of conservation efforts in the vast western mountains of Maine.

Members of Maine’s congressional delegation who announced the funding say the money will assist private landowners in improving fish and wildlife habitats between the White Mountains of New Hampshire and Moosehead Lake.

The Trust for Public Land will lead the project along with several partnering organizations.

Senators Angus King, an independent, and Susan Collins, a Republican, say the project will increase financial and technical assistance for private forest owners. They say it will also provide incentives for managing forests for habitat diversity.