Climate-Smart Forestry Cost-Share Funding

Geographic Scope: Pierce County, Washington

Program Type: Cost-share assistance for private forestland owners

Washington Conservation Action offers cost-share assistance directly to private forestland owners in Pierce County, Washington. Cost-share funding supports stewardship activities that increase carbon sequestration and storage, improve wildlife habitat, mitigate wildfire risk, and improve forest resilience to climate change.

Funding Source

This program is supported by a $25 million USDA Climate Smart Commodities grant with seven partner organizations: Sustainable Northwest, Northwest Natural Resource Group, Mason Conservation District, Ecotrust, Vibrant Planet Data Commons, Vibrant Planet Public Benefit Corporation, and Trout Mountain Forestry.

Eligible Applicants

• Private forestland owners in Pierce County, Washington
• Tribal governments with land in Pierce County, WA
• Nonprofit organizations that own land
• Tribal-owned or managed forest lands

NOT Eligible

• City, county, and state forests
• Lands already funded for the same practice through other programs (e.g., EQIP)
• Practices already completed or about to start (must enroll and sign contract before starting)

Eligible Forest Stewardship Activities

• Forest management plans (new or updated)
• Tribal First Foods habitat management, including restoration of rare and declining plant communities
• Commercial thinning to make stands more climate-resilient
• Thinning dense and fire-prone forest stands
• Prescribed fire to restore capacity to withstand natural disturbances
• Reforestation and wildlife habitat planting with climate-adapted species
• Managing brush competition in recently planted stands
• Reducing average size of harvest openings, increasing live-tree retention, lengthening harvest rotations
• Alternative slash management to reduce carbon emissions and retain carbon on-site, including biochar production
• Buffers along streams and around wetlands protecting water quality and aquatic habitat

Funding Details

• Funding Deadline (USDA): April 2028 (all practices must be completed and payment issued by this date)
• Reimbursement Rate: Variable by practice (reimbursement rate table available)
• Cost-Share Model: May cover full cost in some cases, but not all
• One-time Payment: Practices are only eligible for one-time payments on the same acres; may receive additional payments for the same practice on different acres

Special Features

• Market development support for climate-smart wood supply chains
• Price premiums to mills and landowners to promote purchase and sale of climate-smart wood
• Help connecting wood to local markets
• Standardized methodology for measuring carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions reductions
• Measurement of impacts beyond carbon (forest health and community benefits)
• Coordination with local stakeholders and governments
• Free site visits available to assess forest stewardship needs
• List of recommended foresters and contractors provided

Requirements

• FSA Registration Required: Must register with Farm Services Agency and obtain farm, tract, and field ID
• Management Authority: For leased land, must have management authority over property for lifetime of practice
• Prevailing Wage: Prevailing wage requirements apply if using forestry consultants/contractors
• Contract Signature: Must enroll and sign contract before starting project
• Return of Funds: If practice is undone after funding (e.g., harvesting riparian buffer), may be required to return some or all reimbursement

Contact

Ava Stone, Climate Smart Wood Senior Manager

• Email: ava@waconservationaction.org
• Address: Washington Conservation Action, 1417 Fourth Avenue, Suite 800, Seattle, WA 98101

Background

What is Climate-Smart Forestry? Climate-smart forestry increases forest resilience in the face of climate change and sequesters and stores more carbon over time compared to conventional practices. It also addresses issues of equity and climate justice, improving community well-being and respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

How is this different from existing programs?

• Slightly higher funding levels for certain climate-related practices
• Supports practices not eligible for other programs (e.g., forest management plan updates for climate adaptation, commercial thinning of low-value stands)
• Offers price premiums when selling wood to participating mills
• Access to local market connections

Application Process

1. Initial Interest
- Fill out interest form on the stewardship-funding page
- WCA will contact applicant within 2 weeks

2. Site Visit & Consultation (Optional)
- Free site visit available to assess forest stewardship needs
- WCA can refer to qualified local forester for additional evaluation if needed

3. FSA Registration
- Register with Farm Services Agency
- Obtain farm, tract, and field ID
- WCA can assist with this process

4. Enroll & Contract
- Must enroll in program and sign contract before starting any project
- Contract specifies approved practices and payment terms

5. Implementation
- Complete stewardship activities using qualified forestry consultant, contractor, or self-manage
- Meet prevailing wage requirements if using contractors
- May use any qualified forestry consultant/practitioner
- WCA provides list of recommended foresters and contractors

6. Documentation & Reimbursement
- Submit documentation of completed practices
- Receive reimbursement according to contract terms
- Payment issued before USDA deadline (April 2028)

Required Materials

• Interest form (available on website)
• FSA registration documentation
• Signed program contract
• Documentation of completed practices
• Reimbursement rate table (available on website)

Key Process Notes

• Applicant can work with any qualified forestry consultant or may self-manage
• WCA recommends qualified local foresters if needed
• Free consultation and site visits available
• Timeline: 2-week response to interest form inquiries