Texas Longleaf Conservation Assistance Program Grant

The Texas Longleaf Conservation Assistance Program offers financial and technical support to landowners in East Texas for establishing and managing Longleaf Pine. This initiative aims to restore the historical range of Longleaf Pine, which has diminished over time. Participants can receive assistance for practices like prescribed burning and reforestation, enhancing both ecological health and economic viability. The program fosters collaboration among federal, state, and local partners to promote sustainable forestry in the region.

Conservation Assistance Program provides both financial and technical assistance to eligible landowners for the establishment and management of Longleaf Pine. Historically, Longleaf Pine covered much of the Southeast including Southeast Texas.
However, as the country began moving west, many of those acres were lost. Today, many groups are working together to restore Longleaf Pine to its historical range while also managing existing areas of Longleaf Pine.
Implementation Team, a multi  organization group including federal, state, private and NGO partners, through funds provided by the National Fish  and Wildlife Foundation, is working with landowners to increase and manage Longleaf acres in Texas.
Benefits
Eligible program participants can receive financial and technical assistance to establish or enhance Longleaf Pine through implementing conservation practices such as prescribed burning, site preparation, reforestation, and forest stand improvement. Payments are made to participants after conservation practices and activities identified in an approved forest management plan are implemented.

Eligibility

Landowners with property within 20 East Texas counties (Angelina, Chambers, Cherokee, Hardin, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Panola, Polk, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, and Tyler) are eligible to apply. Approved participants may receive reimbursement based on a standard rate for implementing approved conservation practices. Approved conservation practices include prescribed burning, site preparation, reforestation, and forest stand improvement.. Eligible land includes pastureland, forestland, and other farm and ranch lands. Approved participants may receive up to 50% payment not to exceed a standard cap rate for implementing approved conservation practices.   Applicants must:

• Control or own eligible land
• Already possess or develop a written forest management plan
• Comply with all Texas Forestry Best Management Practices
• Agree to all program restrictions and requirements