Henry Rifles for Reforestation: A New Alliance for America's Forests

RICE LAKE, Wis. – March 19, 2026 – In a novel partnership bridging the worlds of firearms manufacturing and environmental stewardship, Henry Repeating Arms has launched a special edition rifle series to directly fund conservation efforts across America's nearly 200 million acres of national forests and grasslands. The initiative benefits the National Forest Foundation (NFF), the congressionally chartered non-profit partner of the United States Forest Service (USFS).

The collaboration introduces four distinct, commemorative rifles, with a portion of the proceeds from each sale dedicated to critical projects aimed at preserving the health and accessibility of the nation's public lands for future generations.

A Partnership Forged for Conservation

At the heart of the initiative is a direct financial commitment to the National Forest Foundation. The NFF, which holds top ratings from charity evaluators like Charity Navigator and GuideStar for its financial health and transparency, will channel the funds into on-the-ground projects. These initiatives include large-scale reforestation in areas damaged by wildfire, wildlife habitat restoration, watershed protection, and the maintenance and improvement of recreational trails.

"These lands are a national treasure that must be protected to ensure they can be enjoyed by future generations," said Anthony Imperato, Founder and CEO of Henry Repeating Arms, in a statement announcing the series. "Millions of Americans hunt, hike, camp, and connect with nature in our National Forests every year. Through this initiative, we're proud to support the work of the NFF and the USFS to help protect and restore the forests and grasslands that make those experiences possible."

The donation structure is tiered across the four models. The company will donate $500 from the sale of each top-tier H11 New Original Henry NFF Edition, $100 from each H14 Long Ranger NFF Edition, and $50 from both the H4 Golden Boy NFF Edition and the H1 Classic National Forests Tribute Edition. Reinforcing his personal commitment, Imperato has also made a direct donation of $25,000 to the NFF.

This partnership aligns with the NFF's strategy of leveraging private and corporate support to amplify its impact. In fiscal year 2024 alone, the foundation invested over $80 million directly into conservation projects, a figure that has doubled from the previous year, demonstrating a growing capacity to tackle large-scale environmental challenges on public lands.

A Legacy of Industry Support

While a direct partnership between a firearms manufacturer and a national forest charity might seem novel, it exists within a long history of the firearms and ammunition industry funding American conservation. For nearly a century, the primary mechanism for this has been the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, more commonly known as the Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937.

This landmark legislation imposes an 11% federal excise tax on the sale of long guns and ammunition and a 10% tax on handguns. The revenue, which has amounted to over $17 billion since the act's inception, is distributed to state wildlife agencies. These funds are the lifeblood for a wide range of conservation activities, including habitat management, species reintroduction programs, wildlife research, and hunter education. It established a "user-pay, user-play" model where the primary consumers of shooting sports equipment—hunters and recreational shooters—are also the primary funders of wildlife preservation.

Many prominent conservation organizations, such as Ducks Unlimited, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and the National Wild Turkey Federation, were founded by hunters and continue to receive significant support from the shooting sports community. This deep-rooted connection between outdoor recreationists and land stewardship provides a foundational context for Henry's latest initiative, positioning it not as an anomaly but as a modern, direct-action extension of a long-standing tradition.

More Than a Rifle: A Collector's Cause

The four rifles in the National Forest Foundation Edition series are designed to be more than just tools; they are functional works of art intended for collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate both fine craftsmanship and the cause they support. Ranging in price from $420 to $4,545, each model offers a different level of artistry and historical significance.

The flagship of the series is the H11 New Original Henry NFF Edition in .44-40 WCF. Priced at $4,545, it is a museum-quality tribute to the original 1860 Henry rifle, featuring extensive, hand-cut scrollwork on a nickel-plated receiver and buttplate, and set in Exhibition-grade American walnut. This model is an exact replica of a firearm created for permanent display at the U.S. Forest Service headquarters, lending it significant provenance for collectors.

For the modern hunter, the H14 Long Ranger NFF Edition in .308 Win. offers a free-floated barrel for accuracy, an engraved nickel-plated receiver with 24-karat gold highlights, and upgraded Fancy-grade American walnut. The series also includes two .22 caliber models: the iconic H4 Golden Boy, with its polished Brasslite receiver and an engraved buttstock honoring public forests, and the H1 Classic, which bears the message "Stewarding Our National Forests."

The market for commemorative firearms is a dedicated niche, driven by factors like rarity, condition, and the story behind the firearm. By creating limited-edition pieces tied to a charitable cause, Henry Repeating Arms is appealing to a customer base that often views their purchases as investments in both a tangible asset and a cherished value system, in this case, the conservation of America's natural heritage.

Corporate Responsibility and Unlikely Allies

This initiative is a flagship project for Henry's "Guns for Great Causes" charitable program. Through this program, the Wisconsin-based company has donated over $3.5 million to a wide array of causes, often by creating special edition firearms where 100% of the proceeds from auctions go directly to the beneficiary. While the company's primary charitable focus has been on supporting families of children with cancer and children's hospitals, its philanthropy also extends to military veteran organizations, first responder groups, and wildlife conservation.

This track record of consistent giving lends authenticity to the National Forest Foundation partnership, framing it as part of a broader corporate ethos rather than a standalone public relations effort. It showcases a model of corporate social responsibility where a company leverages its core products and dedicated customer base to effect positive change in areas aligned with their shared interests.

The collaboration represents a powerful example of how seemingly disparate groups can find common ground in the shared goal of protecting public lands. As Americans from all walks of life continue to seek recreation and solace in the nation's forests and grasslands, such "unlikely ally" partnerships highlight a pragmatic path forward for conservation, one where stewardship is viewed as a collective responsibility, supported by a diverse coalition of industries and individuals.