The Woodland Incentive Program (WIP) provides cost-sharing assistance for tree planting, site preparation and timber stand improvement practices.
Landowner Incentives
The program pays up to 65% of eligible practices and is available to owners of at least 5 forest acres but not more than 1,000 acres that, when appropriate, has the potential to be harvested for products including logs, timbers, pulpwood, firewood, woodchips, poles, piles, posts and other primary forest products, and has not received Woodland Incentive Program assistance in any of the 15 years preceding application for the same practice. The Woodland Incentive funds can be applied to such practices as: reforestation of open land, such as abandoned farm fields; reforestation of cutover woodlands; timber stand improvement practices, including thinning, prescribed burning, and other silvicultural treatments; and for preparation of Forest Stewardship Plans.
Sign-up Process
Eligible landowners can apply for specific practices through their local forester. The forester reviews the request for sufficiency and submits the application to the State Forester for final approval. If 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 up to 65% of their costs. Eligible practices include: thinning, pruning, prescribed burning, crop tree release, site preparation for natural or artificial reforestation, herbicide treatments and planting of seedling.
Eligibility
Private, non-industrial woodland owners who manage their forest land may apply for financial assistance through the Woodland Incentive Program. WIP is administered by the Department of Natural Resources-Forest Service.
Landowners who own 5 to 1,000 acres of woodland and agree to maintain the forestry practice for 15 years, are eligible to apply for this cost-share program. WIP can pay up to 65 percent of the cost associated with forest management, not to exceed $5,000 per year (or $15,000 per 3-year period).
Intent of the Law
The growing demands that are being placed on our woodlands and related land resources cannot totally be met by intensive management of public lands and industrial forests. The General Assembly recognized this growing problem and saw the need for the Woodland Incentive Program. They declared with passage of this law, that it was in the public interest of the State to foster and encourage the development, management, and protection of the non-industrial private woodlands. These private woodlands provide significant environmental, aesthetic, and wildlife benefits; and provide for the production of timber and forest resources essential to commerce and industry in the State.
Where To Go For Assistance
For additional information and applications for the WIP Program, please contact your nearest forestry office or visit Maryland Forest Service’s website.