Funding Opportunities for Woodland Owners
By Michael Ahr, WMSWCD Forest Conservationist
Interested in treating invasive weeds, thinning trees, or planting a new forested area? We have some programs that provide both technical and financial assistance to help you reach your goals.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) which can help fund work on wooded properties in two ways:
Wildfire Risk Reduction: A pool of funding is available to help woodland owners lower the risk of wildfire on their properties. The funds can be used to thin (harvest selected trees) which decreases competition in a dense forest. Also, money is available to treat invasive species and pile slash, both of which will make your woods much healthier, not only for the existing trees but for wildlife who may live there.
Planting a new forest: This program works very well for landowners in the Tualatin Mountains who have open land that they’d like to convert to a forest. It can help fund the work to get the land ready for planting as well as the cost of the trees and shrubs you want to plant. If you have an area that is overtaken by invasive blackberry or other weeds, this is a great program to help the land grow something more productive for you economically, and also improve wildlife habitat.
Your application is due by mid-January for both of these NRCS programs. Ideally landowners would have more than 4 acres to enroll in the program. Keep in mind that you might be eligible for improved financial assistance if you identify as a Socially Disadvantaged, Beginning, and Limited Resource Landowner. See http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/people/outreach/slbfr/.
District Funding from WMSWCD
The Conservation District’s Forestry Program will once again be offering financial assistance to woodland owners. Our biggest priority this year will be to assist landowners who are looking to complete forest thinning projects. Other priority areas would address:
• Wildlife Habitat Enhancement
• Invasive Species Control
• Creation of Defensible Space Around Homes (wildfire risk reduction)
• Forest Road Erosion
If you’re interested in any of these opportunities or want to learn more, contact Michael Ahr, michael@wmswcd.org or 503,238,4775, extension 109. A great first step toward all of these opportunities is a site visit from Michael, who will help you put together a Forest Stewardship Plan.
By Michael Ahr, WMSWCD Forest Conservationist
Interested in treating invasive weeds, thinning trees, or planting a new forested area? We have some programs that provide both technical and financial assistance to help you reach your goals.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) which can help fund work on wooded properties in two ways:
Wildfire Risk Reduction: A pool of funding is available to help woodland owners lower the risk of wildfire on their properties. The funds can be used to thin (harvest selected trees) which decreases competition in a dense forest. Also, money is available to treat invasive species and pile slash, both of which will make your woods much healthier, not only for the existing trees but for wildlife who may live there.
Planting a new forest: This program works very well for landowners in the Tualatin Mountains who have open land that they’d like to convert to a forest. It can help fund the work to get the land ready for planting as well as the cost of the trees and shrubs you want to plant. If you have an area that is overtaken by invasive blackberry or other weeds, this is a great program to help the land grow something more productive for you economically, and also improve wildlife habitat.
Your application is due by mid-January for both of these NRCS programs. Ideally landowners would have more than 4 acres to enroll in the program. Keep in mind that you might be eligible for improved financial assistance if you identify as a Socially Disadvantaged, Beginning, and Limited Resource Landowner. See http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/people/outreach/slbfr/.
District Funding from WMSWCD
The Conservation District’s Forestry Program will once again be offering financial assistance to woodland owners. Our biggest priority this year will be to assist landowners who are looking to complete forest thinning projects. Other priority areas would address:
• Wildlife Habitat Enhancement
• Invasive Species Control
• Creation of Defensible Space Around Homes (wildfire risk reduction)
• Forest Road Erosion
If you’re interested in any of these opportunities or want to learn more, contact Michael Ahr, michael@wmswcd.org or 503,238,4775, extension 109. A great first step toward all of these opportunities is a site visit from Michael, who will help you put together a Forest Stewardship Plan.
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