California Forest Improvement Program

The purpose of the California Forest Improvement Program (CFIP) is to encourage private and public investment in, and improved management of, California forest lands and resources. This focus is to ensure adequate high quality timber supplies, related employment and other economic benefits, and the protection, maintenance, and enhancement of a productive and stable forest resource system for the benefit of present and future generations.

The program scope includes the improvement of all forest resources including fish and wildlife habitat, and soil and water quality. Cost-share assistance is provided to private and public ownerships containing 20 to 5,000 acres of forest land. Cost-shared activities include:

  • Preparation of a Forest Management Plan by a Registered Professional Forester (RPF)
  • RPF Supervision of the following:
    • Reforestation
      • Site Preparation
      • Trees and Planting
      • Tree Shelters
    • Stand Improvement
      • Pre-commercial Thinning or Release
      • Pruning
      • Follow-up (includes mechanical, herbicide and/or slash disposal follow-up)
    • Forestland conservation practices / fish and wildlife habitat improvement

Broadcast/controlled/cultural burning is not eligible for CFIP cost share. For a list of other practices not eligible for CFIP cost-share, please review the User’s Guide. 

The California Forest Improvement Program receives funding from a variety of other State and Federal sources. The varied funding sources may have different requirements or additional application procedures, so please always be sure to discuss your project with your Forestry Assistance Specialist (FAS) at the CAL FIRE unit in which your project resides, or the Regional FAS. Please refer to contact list under more information on this page.

CFIP will be releasing approximately $1 to $2 million per period (every other month). The highest ranked CFIP application packages will be selected for funding in each application period. Once the funds have been encumbered for the designated period. all qualifying unfunded CFIP application packages shall be moved to the next funding cycle to compete with CFIP application packages that are submitted during that designated period. Application packages that have failed to score high enough to be awarded a grant after one year will be sent back to the project proponent with an explanation for why the project has not been funded.

CFIP solicitation periods close every other month, on the dates listed below.

January 2nd

March 1st

May 1st

July 1st

September 1st

November 1st

 

For a CFIP application package to be selected for funding in any given solicitation batch, it must have first scored well at the local level and been processed by the local FAS. Please discuss local scoring and processing lead times with the FAS at the CAL FIRE unit in which your project resides.

Before you fill out an application, contact your local FAS to determine the status of funding, current application process, and whether your property and project are eligible for funding. (Please refer to contact list in the Contact Us section at the bottom of this page).  Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the CFIP User’s Guide and familiarize themselves with CFIP before applying. The User’s Guide includes more detailed instructions on how to apply and which forms to submit to your local FAS. (Please refer to CFIP User’s Guide under more information on the right of this page).

Contact Us

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Meghan Reeves

Stewardship Forester
Meghan.Reeves@fire.ca.gov
(707) 888-7331

A forester plants a tree sappling

More Information

American Tree Farm System

The American Tree Farm System is a program for woodland owners who are committed to sustainably managing their woods for wood, water, wildlife, and recreation.  Each state program is run by a diverse group of partners, such as state agencies, non-profit organizations, volunteers, foresters, and landowners.

Follow the link below to learn more about the California program.

https://www.treefarmsystem.org/california