Enroll in a Cost-Share or Tax Relief Program

Cost share and tax incentive programs are typically managed by state, federal, or other local public agencies. The most common cost share options are managed by the Departments of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Tax incentive programs are jointly managed by the Departments of Natural Resources and Revenue.

Requirements, eligibility, and funding availability will vary across programs. To learn more about the different options, please visit our Learn About Your Woods page, contact us, or talk to your local public forester. 

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Once you know which programs you are interested in, the first step is to contact the appropriate public forester or natural resource professional to start an application. This professional may not physically carry out your project or write your plan, but you will need their assistance and approval to enroll in the program. For Minnesota DNR programs, both cost share and tax relief, this will be a Cooperative & Private Forest Management Forester. For Wisconsin, it will be a Tax Law Forestry Specialist. For NRCS cost share programs like EQIP, your local or regional NRCS office will be your first point of contact. 

The actual projects and plan writing will often be contracted to an approved consulting forester or other professional. For a certified professional visit the Start a Woodland Stewardship section of our website. Requirements for approved consultants will vary for each program. Please contact us or the program forester if you are having trouble finding an approved consultant.