Florida landowners looking to plant trees or rehabilitate their timber stands have a new financial incentive to do so. On Wednesday, Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Forest Service announced a $6.3 million funding package aimed at bolstering the state’s green canopy and protecting its water resources.
The funding is split between two cost-share initiatives: the Florida’s Future Forests Program and the RESTORE Program. Both are designed to help non-industrial private landowners, local governments, and nonprofits shoulder the costs of land management.
“Florida’s forests are some of our most valuable natural assets – protecting water quality, supporting wildlife, and fueling an industry that supports thousands of jobs,” Commissioner Simpson said. “These programs are a significant long-term investment for the state and will help maintain and preserve Florida’s forests and natural resources for future generations.”
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Florida’s Future Forests Program
The bulk of the effort focuses on tree establishment. Since 2021, the state legislature has directed approximately $18 million toward this specific program, which officials say has already generated over 50,000 acres of healthy forests across the state.
Under the current guidelines, applicants can request funding to plant trees on plots of land ranging from 10 to 250 acres. Landowners interested in this track must contact their local Florida Forest Service County Forester to start the application process.
RESTORE Landowner Incentive Program
Of the total funding announced, $2.3 million is earmarked specifically for the Enhancing Gulf Waters Through Forested Watershed Restoration (RESTORE) Program. This initiative is geographically targeted, available only to landowners within specific priority watersheds.
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While the Future Forests program focuses on planting, RESTORE covers a broader array of management practices necessary to keep a forest ecosystem functioning. Eligible activities include:
- Reforestation
- Prescribed burning
- First pulpwood thinning
- Mechanical and chemical underbrush treatment
Like the general program, RESTORE projects must cover between 10 and 250 acres.
Rick Dolan, Director of the Florida Forest Service, emphasized the reliance on private citizens to maintain the state’s ecosystem.
“Private lands make up the majority of Florida’s forestlands, and these funds will help landowners reestablish forests, improving water quality and enhancing overall forest health,” Dolan said.
How to Apply
The application window for both cost-share programs is now open and will run until 3 p.m. EST on March 27, 2026.
The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), currently manages over 1.2 million acres of state forests while providing oversight and assistance for another 17 million acres of private and community land.
For more details on eligibility or to apply, landowners can visit FDACS.gov/FutureForests
or FDACS.gov/Restore.
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