Funding is available for landowners, including Land Trusts and other non-government landowners to get a forest management plan with a bird habitat assessment and to receive funding to improve and manage their woodlands

The Last Green Valley (TLGV), the MassConn Sustainable Forest Partnership (MassConn) and the Northern Rhode Island Conservation District (NRICD) are pleased to offer funding for woodland landowners help improve the health and productivity of their woodlands for forest products and wildlife.

The program is part of the $6.1 million Southern New England Heritage Forest conservation effort, an unprecedented three-state collaboration made possible through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The NRCS funding is being matched, bringing the economic infusion into the region to $12.2 million.

A professional forester will walk your property and coordinate with the Audubon society in your state to produce a high-quality forest management plan with a bird habitat assessment of your woods. The plan will recommend measures you can take to improve the health of your woods. The plan will meet federal and state requirements and may be used to apply for property tax reductions at the local level (where applicable).

Grant funds are available to pay for most of the forester’s costs and to completely fund the bird habitat assessments. Landowners will be responsible for choosing a forester from an approved list and paying for a percentage of the total cost of the forest management plan.

This program is ideally suited for landowners who have never had a forest management plan and own more than 10 acres of woodlands.

Are you a forestland owner looking to improve your woodland habitat for important bird species, and manage your woods for wildlife and people? The U.S.D.A. Natural Resource Conservation Service, in partnership with The Last Green Valley (TLGV), the MassConn Sustainable Forest Partnership (MassConn) and the Northern Rhode Island Conservation District (NRICD) have funding for woodland landowners who want to improve bird habitat and forest health on their property through implementation of forestry practices.

Eligibility requirements include that the applicant currently have a forest management plan with a bird habitat assessment, and be ready for implementation. Additional eligibility for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) will also apply.

Program requirements and deadlines vary by state. To get started, contact the lead partner for your state - see below for contact information.