Cost-Share Assistance for Private Forest Landowners

Most cost-share programs are implemented in a similar fashion. Eligible landowners can apply for specific practices through their local forester. The actual application may go through the Maryland Forest Service or the Farm Services Agency, depending on the program. If the practice is approved, landowners complete the practices and pay for the goods and/or services. The local forester will then inspect the practice to ensure proper implementation. Upon approval by the forester, copies of the invoices and checks used to pay the invoices are submitted to the forester for processing. The landowner will then receive a reimbursement check for the percentage of the costs that were to be covered.

There are links below to the variety of programs available. The links below will provide the information you need. A good place to start is the state forester located in your county. For a complete list in Word document format, click here.

Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP) - Provide cost sharing assistance for eleven major practices that are designed to provide a wide range of possibilities and concerns of managing forests for all their values. The program is available to landowners who are implementing an approved Forest Stewardship Plan.

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) - landowners contract with USDA through their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) to receive annual rental payments, plus bonuses, for taking land out of production and installing conservation practices adjacent to waterways. With the additional support of the Maryland Dept. Of Agriculture, landowners can also receive up to 87.5% reimbursement for cost of installation of conservation practices, such as riparian forest or vegetative buffer planting, or retirement of highly erodible lands and 50% reimbursement for wetlands. The contract agreement lasts for 10 to 15 years. In addition, landowners can sign a conservation easement and receive an additional bonus payment in exchange for an agreement to retain the conservation practices in perpetuity.


Woodland Incentive Program (WIP) - Provide cost sharing assistance for 50% of the cost of tree planting, site preparation and timber stand improvement practices.

Other Federal and Industry Cost-Share Programs - this includes mention of the FLEP program above, but also mentions the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) which may be able to fund some forestry practice. Glatfelter Pulpwood Company has a program to pay for half of the cost of seedlings used in reforestation efforts. The program varies by county for eligibility and number of seedlings available.