June 18th, 2021 deadline set for forestland conservation funding through the Conservation Stewardship Program

Financial assistance available for conservation practices on forestland

Olympia, Wash. (May 17th, 2021) — The Southwest Washington Small Forest Lands Conservation Partnership (Partnership) announces a June 18th, 2021 application deadline for financial assistance to implement forestland conservation activities. Funding is provided through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

CSP is a voluntary and incentive-based program that provides technical and financial assistance through NRCS. The Partnership is focused on working with small forest landowners (non-industrial private forest landowners, NIPF) to improve forest health, water quality, and wildlife habitat. CSP pays a set annual payment over a 5-year contract to implement enhancements to existing conservation practices. The payment rate is based on conservation practice cost for forest landowners to implement such activities as pre-commercial thinning, reforestation, wildlife habitat structures, and reducing stormwater runoff from forest roads. Click here for a detailed list of payment rates. The annual minimum contract payment is $1,500. Click here for screening tool requirements.

The Partnership is accepting applications immediately. Forest landowners must meet all NRCS CSP program requirements to be eligible. These include establishing yourself as a USDA customer, completing all Farm Service Agency (FSA) eligibility requirements, have an approved Forest Management Plan, and be within the geographic partnership boundary. Interested forest landowners should do the following:

(1) Contact your local Partnership stewardship forester via this link for approved Forest Management Plan review or development.

(2) Contact your local USDA Service Center for assistance completing USDA eligibility requirements and to apply for funding.

The CSP funding available under this announcement are part of the Southwest Washington Small Forest Lands Conservation Partnership, which is one of over 375 projects NRCS has invested in through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). RCPP is a partner-driven, locally led effort, that leverages partner contributions and funding from multiple NRCS programs to incentivize work with agricultural and forestry producers.

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