Managing forestland comes with real costs. Whether you are thinning dense stands, improving wildlife habitat, replacing culverts, or restoring riparian areas, many of the practices that support healthy forests require time, planning, and financial investment. Fortunately, several state, federal, and local programs are available to help Washington forest landowners offset those costs. These programs provide cost-share funding, conservation easements, and technical assistance to support forest health, wildfire resilience, fish habitat restoration, and long-term stewardship. The following guide highlights several of the most commonly available programs and where to start if you are interested in applying.
Washington Department of Natural Resources
State-funded programs that help Washington forest landowners reduce wildfire risk, improve forest health, restore habitat, and complete stewardship planning through cost-share funding and technical assistance.
Description
The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers financial and technical assistance to help landowners reduce wildfire fuels and improve forest health. These programs support activities that reduce wildfire risk and restore forest ecosystems.
For more information:
Contact
OneStopShop@dnr.wa.gov
1-800-523-TREE (8733)
Website
https://dnr.wa.gov/landowner-assistance-portal/resources-managing-my-forest-3
Description
This cost-share program provides financial assistance to private forest landowners for implementing forest health and wildfire resilience treatments, such as thinning, pruning, slash management, and other fuel reduction activities. Applications are typically reviewed within 1 to 2 weeks. All proposed work must receive approval before any activities begin. Eligibility and project approval are determined by DNR Service Forestry field staff, with final approval from the Region Forest Resilience District Manager or Region Manager.
Eligibility
Landowners may qualify if they are:
Non-federal owners of forestland who own less than 5,000 forested acres in Washington state are eligible to participate in the cost-share program.
Funding Available
Projects that may be eligible for financial assistance are:
| Treatment | Approximate Cost Share |
| Thinning dense stands of non-merchantable trees | $300/acre |
| Firebreaks and fuel-breaks | Variable |
| Removal of invasive species or other brush | $140/acre |
| Slash Management | $530/acre |
| Pruning | $250/acre |
| Tree planting or reforestation | $425/acre |
| Prescribed burning | $220/acre |
| Forest Stewardship Plan | See Table Below |
Forest Stewardship Plans Cost Share:
| Acres | New Plan | Revised Plan |
| 20-100 acres | $1,100 | $560 |
| 101-250 acres | $1,230 | $900 |
| 251-500 acres | $1,680 | $1,120 |
| 501-1000 acres | $2,240 | $1,450 |
| 1001+ acres | $3,135 | $1,790 |
For More Information
Landowners should contact the DNR region that covers their county for information about funding availability and application assistance.
| Region | Counties Covered | Contact |
| Northeast Region | Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Spokane, and Lincoln County north of U.S. Highway 2 | northeast.region@dnr.wa.gov |
| Southeast Regiion | Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Walla Walla, Whitman, Yakima, and portions of Lincoln and Skamania counties | southeast.region@dnr.wa.gov |
| Olympic Region | Clallam, Jefferson, and Grays Harbor counties north of the Chehalis River and west of Elma | olympic.region@dnr.wa.gov |
| Northwest Region | Whatcom, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Island counties, and northeast King County (Highway 2 corridor) | northwest.region@dnr.wa.gov |
| South Puget Sound Region | King County except northeast King County, Pierce, Kitsap, Mason, Thurston, and eastern Grays Harbor east of Elma and the Chehalis River | southpuget.region@dnr.wa.gov |
| Pacific Cascade Region | Lewis, Grays Harbor south and west of the Chehalis River, Pacific, Wahkiakum, Cowlitz, Clark, and Skamania counties west of the Dog Mountain trailhead | pacific-cascade.region@dnr.wa.gov |
Description
The Family Forest Fish Passage Program assists private forestland owners in replacing culverts and other stream crossings that block fish from accessing upstream habitat. The program funds the design and installation of fish-passable structures.
Eligibility
Landowners may qualify if:
- They are a private or small forest landowner that harvests less than 2 million board feet annually
- The culvert is on forestland and associated with a road and the land is capable of supporting a merchantable stand of timber and is not being used for anything incompatible with growing timber.
- The structure is on a fish-bearing stream wider than 2 feet (Western WA) or 3 feet (Eastern WA) with a gradient less than 20 percent is considered potential fish habitat.
- A site-specific evaluation can determine if smaller or steeper streams also are fish-bearing.
How to Use
- Landowner submits an application requesting a culvert evaluation
- A field technician conducts a site visit to assess the barrier
- Projects are prioritized based on benefit to fish habitat
- Once funded, a project sponsor manages engineering, permits, contractors, and project implementation
For More Information
Contact
Chris Dwight
Family Forest Fish Passage Program Manager
360-490-0020
Christopher.Dwight@dnr.wa.gov
Description
The Forestry Riparian Easement Program (FREP) is a voluntary Washington State program that compensates small forest landowners for trees they must leave unharvested to protect fish habitat. Landowners can receive payment for 90% of the timber value of qualifying trees by granting a 40-year conservation easement on those trees. The easement applies only to the trees and does not allow public access to the property.
Eligibility
Landowners may qualify if they:
- Harvest less than 2 million board feet per year
- Own more than 80 acres of forestland statewide or a parcel larger than 20 contiguous acres
- Are an individual, partnership, corporation, or other nongovernmental for-profit entity
- Have completed a harvest and left required buffers along streams, rivers, wetlands, lakes, ponds, or unstable slopes
- Are not converting the land to a non-forestry use
- Landowners may also qualify if harvest is restricted due to Forest Practices rules.
How the Program Works
- Landowner submits an application
- DNR confirms receipt and schedules a site visit
- A forester measures qualifying timber and determines easement value
- Applications are placed on a funding list based on state appropriations
- Once funded, compensation is provided for the easement
- Landowners may also be reimbursed for certain compliance costs such as marking streamside buffer trees
For More Information
Contact
Email: frep@dnr.wa.gov
Phone: 360-480-9702
Description
The Rivers and Habitat Open Space Program allows Washington forest landowners to sell a permanent conservation easement to the state to protect important wildlife and river habitats. The program focuses on conserving forestlands that provide critical habitat for state-listed threatened or endangered species or that occur within active river channel migration zones. Since funding became available in 2002, the program has protected more than 1,700 acres of habitat through conservation easements.
Eligibility
Two types of land are eligible for the program:
- Forestland habitat critical for state-listed threatened or endangered species (Critical Habitat),
- A specific type of river habitat called unconfined channel migration zones (CMZ), which are islands of timber within a river channel that is actively shifting.
Additional requirements include:
- Property must be classified as designated forestland or current use forestland on county assessor records
- Land must be free of environmental liabilities that could compromise habitat protection
- The landowner must allow DNR legal access to evaluate the property and administer the easement
- All parties with a legal interest in the property must agree to convey or subordinate their interest in the easement
Funding
Funding is provided by the Washington State Legislature every two years. For the current 2025 to 2027 funding cycle, approximately $4.6 million is available for easement purchases. When funding exceeds $1 million, DNR generally allocates about 70 percent to Critical Habitat projects and 30 percent to Channel Migration Zone projects.
Applications are ranked and funded based on priority. Eligible projects that are not funded may be considered for future funding cycles. Landowners may also donate conservation easements at any time.
Applications are ranked based on ecological value, which may include factors such as habitat quality, risk of habitat loss, species diversity, documented species presence, and landscape connectivity.
How to Apply
Two application types are available:
- Critical Habitat
- Channel Migration Zone
Applications must include:
- A description of the forestland including location and estimated acreage
- Documentation describing how the property meets program eligibility
- A map showing the approximate boundary of the qualifying land
Applications for the 2027 to 2029 funding cycle must be submitted by May 31, 2026.
For More Information
Contact
KelliAnne Ricks
Washington Department of Natural Resources
Phone: 360-480-9702
Email: kellianne.ricks@dnr.wa.gov
Website
https://www.dnr.wa.gov/programs-and-services/forest-practices/rivers-and-habitat-open-space-program
Natural Resources Conservation Science
Federal conservation programs that support habitat restoration, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and long-term forest stewardship through easements and restoration cost-share agreements.
Description
The Healthy Forests Reserve Program is a voluntary program administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service that helps landowners restore, enhance, and protect forest ecosystems on private lands. The program focuses on improving habitat for threatened and endangered species, increasing biodiversity, and enhancing carbon storage in forested landscapes. Financial assistance is provided through conservation easements and cost-share agreements that support restoration and conservation activities on forestland.
Eligibility
Land must be privately owned or owned by an Indian tribe and must contribute to restoring or enhancing habitat for threatened or endangered species, improving biological diversity, or increasing carbon sequestration. Applicants must provide proof of ownership or obtain written consent from the landowner if applying as an operator or tenant.
Funding
The program offers several participation options:
- 10-year restoration cost-share agreements that may cover about 50 percent of approved conservation practice costs
- 30-year conservation easements that may provide up to 75 percent of the easement value plus 75 percent of restoration costs
- Permanent conservation easements that may provide up to 100 percent of the easement value and restoration costs
- 30-year contracts available for acreage owned by Indian tribes
How the Program Works
Landowners work with NRCS staff to develop a conservation or restoration plan for their property. Applications are submitted through a local NRCS field office and are evaluated for eligibility and conservation benefits. Applications are then ranked based on local resource concerns and the expected environmental benefits of the project. If selected, landowners sign a contract and implement the approved conservation practices. Once the work is completed and verified to meet NRCS standards, payment is issued.
For More Information
Contact
Local USDA NRCS Service Center
Website
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/hfrp-healthy-forests-reserve-program/healthy-forests-reserve-program-how-to
WA State Conservation Commission
Community-based forest health and wildfire resiliency funding delivered through conservation districts, tribes, and local partners to support thinning, fuels reduction, and defensible space projects.
Description
The Washington State Conservation Commission administers several programs that support forest health improvement and wildfire risk reduction across the state. These programs provide funding to local partners such as conservation districts, tribes, and community organizations to help landowners implement forest health treatments, reduce hazardous fuels, and improve wildfire preparedness. Projects often focus on thinning, fuel reduction, defensible space, and other treatments that increase forest resilience to wildfire.
Eligibility
Most projects are implemented through partnerships with conservation districts, local governments, tribes, and community organizations. Private landowners typically participate by working with these local partners.
Funding Options
Funding may support activities such as:
- Forest thinning and fuel reduction
- Defensible space around structures
- Community wildfire preparedness projects
- Forest health restoration efforts
Funding availability varies depending on state legislative appropriations and program priorities.
Conservation Districts
Local cost-share and technical assistance programs that help private landowners implement forest health, habitat restoration, erosion control, riparian planting, and other conservation projects.
Description
Local conservation districts across Washington offer cost share programs that help landowners implement conservation practices on private property. These programs commonly support activities such as invasive species control, forest health treatments, habitat restoration, riparian planting, erosion control, and water quality improvements. Funding levels and eligible practices vary by district and are typically offered through competitive or seasonal application cycles.
Eligibility
Most programs are available to private landowners within the conservation district’s service area. Some programs require matching funds or landowner labor.
Funding options
Cost share assistance typically covers between 50 percent and 90 percent of approved project costs, depending on the district and the project type.
How to apply
Landowners usually apply directly through their local conservation district. District staff can help evaluate project ideas and determine which funding programs may be available.
For more information
Contact your local conservation district.
Financial assistance programs can make meaningful forest management projects more accessible, but navigating them can sometimes feel overwhelming. Many programs have different eligibility requirements, funding cycles, and application processes. If you’re unsure where to begin, the team at Resilient Forestry is here to help. We work directly with landowners to evaluate your property, identify the programs that are the best fit, and guide you through every step of the application process — so you’re never navigating it alone. You can also connect with your local DNR service forester, conservation district, or NRCS office along the way. Reach out to us at contact@resilientforestry.com to get started. Taking advantage of available funding can help landowners implement practices that improve forest health, reduce wildfire risk, and protect habitat while supporting long-term stewardship of Washington’s forests.