Program Overview

This cost share project is the primary focus of the “Restoring Shortleaf Pine and Oak Habitat in the Georgia Cumberlands II” grant and is intended to help promote shortleaf pine and shortleaf pine/oak ecosystems in northwest Georgia. The grant is implemented by the Georgia Forestry Commission with funding administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

The grant includes funding to help promote shortleaf pine and shortleaf pine & oak ecosystems in the following counties: Chattooga, Catoosa, Dade, Murray, Gordon, Whitfield, and Walker.

Cost share is available for reforestation with shortleaf pine, prescribed burning, herbicide applications, and thinning (both pre-commercial and commercial). The rates are $150/acre for reforestation, $15/acre for prescribed burning, $40/acre for herbicide work, $25/acre for commercial thinning, and $125/acre for pre-commercial thinning.

Eligibility Requirements
  • Applicant must be the legal landowner;
  • Applicant must be private, non-industrial landowner owning the property in one of the eligible Northwest Georgia counties;
  • Priority will be given to landowners not enrolled in other cost share programs
General Guidelines
  • Treatment area must be a minimum of 10 acres;
  • Priority will be given to established shortleaf stands or high priority landscapes based on the Forest Action Plan;
  • Payment limits may be implemented if necessary;
  • Landowner must allow Georgia Forestry Commission employee(s) to access the property for the duration of the project.
  • Applications will be accepted as long as funding is available, practices must be completed by March 31, 2026.
  • To apply: Complete the Restoring Shortleaf Pine & Oak Habitat in the Georgia Cumberlands II Cost Share Agreement and return to Blake Lovell at blovell@gfc.state.ga.us.