Programs and Opportunities for California Forestland Owners

This is a partial listing of programs and opportunities available to forestland owners from public agencies and private organizations. More information about these programs will be available at the Forest Stewardship Workshops being held this summer and fall or by calling the Forest Stewardship Helpline (1-800-738-8733).

Working in the Woods: A Guide for California Forest Landowners. A free CD-ROM on forest management, developing a forest management plan, estate planning for forest landowners, forest practice rules, forest ecology, and more.

Cost Share and Assistance Programs Directory. Free directory of federal and state programs focused on forestry, wildlife, watershed, fisheries, etc. Includes information about program goals, eligibility, contact person. Call the Helpline above or download a copy.

California Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF)

California Forest Improvement Program (CFIP). Funds for tree planting, thin and release, erosion control, and fish and wildlife habitat improvement projects. Approximately $2.2 million is expected.

The Forest Health Program has forest pest specialists who provide technical assistance and occasional control projects for forest pest issues. Contact your local forester or Steve Jones, (916) 653-9450.

The Forest Stewardship Program (FSP) encourages good stewardship of forests and oak woodlands, and operates on a community or watershed scale. Contracts are awarded; watch for this year’s Request for Proposals.

The companion Stewardship Incentive Program (SIP) funds projects through individual contracts with private landowners. This program received no funding this year; we hope to see funds reinstated next federal fiscal year.

Vegetation Management Program (VMP) provides cost share to encourage the use of prescribed fire to control wildfire hazard. CDF covers the liability, plans for, and conducts the burn. Contact your local CDF Ranger Unit for more information.

USDA Forest Service administers a number of programs designed to encourage sound stewardship including FSP and SIP. Contact Sandra Stone at (707) 562-8918; sstone/r5@fs.fed.us.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The NRCS provides technical assistance to landowners regarding soil erosion, developing ponds, soil productivity and management. They oversee the following:

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides technical, financial, and educational assistance to address natural resource problems.

Forestry Incentives Program (FIP) cost shares tree planting and timber stand improvement practices.

Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) help landowners plan for proper land use and develop a plan that addresses more than just forest resources; it coordinates the best management of woodlots, wildlife habitat, crop land, water resources, and more. For information contact California Assn. of RCDs, 916 447-7237; staff@carcd.org. Website: http://www.carcd.org .

Forest Landowners of California (FLC) represents the interests of family forest owners before the state legislature and state regulatory agencies such as the Board of Forestry. Forest Landowners of California, 980 9th St., #1600, Sacramento, CA 95814. 916 972-0273. dweldon@forestlandowners.org . Website: www.forestlandowners.org .

California Tree Farm Program. Tree farming is a voluntary, nationwide conservation program sponsored by the forest products industry. Its goal is to provide trees for the future by recognizing and encouraging good management of privately owned timberland. Calif. Tree Farm Comm., 5441 Shelley Way, Carmichael, CA 95608. 916 488-8322; fredltf@hotmail.com. Website: http://www.caltreefarm.com .

University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE). UCCE conducts workshops and conferences for forest landowners (see Forest Stewardship Workshops below) addressing such topics as: local forest ecology and history, fuels and wildland fires, timber harvesting, laws and regulations, estate planning and taxes, cost-share and assistance programs, other sources of information.

The Center for Forestry at UC Berkeley coordinates the forestry research and landowner education programs of the University. For more information contact 510 642-0095; forestry@nature.berkeley.edu; Website: http://nature.berkeley.edu/forestry.