This cost-share program, administered by the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DFFP) and funded by the USDA Forest Service, helps individual private landowners improve the health and resilience of their forests. It is designed to support the goals of the 2020 Alaska State Forest Action Plan by strengthening forest resilience, reducing wildfire risk, and promoting adaptive forest management. The program provides reimbursement of up to $15,000 to individual private landowners with at least five acres of forest land, with no funding match required. Properties within the Municipality of Anchorage are not eligible. Large landowners with multiple parcels or ownership entities may submit separate proposals for each qualifying unit, and smaller adjacent parcels may be combined to meet the acreage threshold.
To participate, a DFFP Forest Stewardship Program representative must verify the need for eligible forestry practices, typically through a site visit, after which DFFP staff will develop a Forest Stewardship Plan with specific implementation requirements. Eligible practices include thinning to reduce stand density, pruning to remove ladder fuels, scarification to promote fire-resistant hardwood regeneration, sanitation harvests to remove trees killed or damaged by insect outbreaks, and mechanical or chemical removal of invasive species, particularly Prunus padus and Prunus virginiana. Reimbursement is based on predetermined rates set by DFFP. Interested landowners should contact their regional Stewardship Forester to get started.
The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection is an equal opportunity provider.
Kenai Peninsula: Direct inquiries to robert.desoto@alaska.gov
South-Central / Mat-Su: (907) 761-6314 | jacob.ruhl@alaska.gov
Fairbanks / Interior: (907) 451-2668 | crystal.denney@alaska.gov
Resources
- Cost Share Information Guidelines (PDF)
- Landowner Support Cost Share Rates (PDF)
- Cost Share Application (PDF)
- Invasive Species Removal Practice Worksheet (PDF)
- Pruning Practice Worksheet (PDF)
- Sanitation Harvest Practice Worksheet (PDF)
- Thinning Practice Worksheet (PDF)
- Scarification Practice Worksheet (PDF)