New Jersey Forest Stewardship Program Offers You Money Back! For development of your Forest Stewardship Plan The New Jersey Forest Service will refund landowners up to 75% for the cost of a new or revised Forest Management Plan to help meet the criteria necessary to participate in the state's Forest Stewardship Program. Landowners with 5 or more forested acres that are planning to have a professional forester manage their woodlands are eligible to participate in the state's Forest Stewardship Program and receive a partial refund for the cost of developing a forest stewardship management plan. Landowners whose woodlands are Farmland Assessed and wish to revise an existing forest management plan are eligible for a rebate as well. Funds are limited. Call your Regional Forester to learn more about the many benefits of the Forest Stewardship Program. Apply today!

Download the NJ Forest Stewardship Plan Requirements and the Guidelines for Addressing Invasive Plant Species (GIPS).

The NJ Forest Service, through the Forest Stewardship Program (FSP), is offering up to 100 percent cost-share for forest stewardship plans on properties located within the Highlands Region. Landowners who are not in the FSP are encouraged to apply for plan development. Existing Stewards may also qualify for cost-share. NJFS is continuing to accept applications.

Working to encourage sound forest stewardship, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson today announced that $85,000 in federal funding is available to private forestland owners in the New Jersey Highlands.

“Forest cover dominates more than half of the Highlands, and this funding will provide the resources and the incentive private landowners need to become better stewards of these exceptional natural resources,” Commissioner Jackson said.

With funding from the U.S. Forest Service, the New Jersey Forest Service will reimburse a qualifying landowner up to $3,000 to develop a forest stewardship plan for their property.

Private landowners with 10 or more acres of woodlands in the Highlands are encouraged to apply.

The Forest Stewardship grant program encourages management of private forestland for non-commodity benefits, such as wildlife habitat, recreational value and water quality, as well as traditional commodities such as timber and wood products.

Applicants who receive funding are required to maintain and implement their forest stewardship plans for a 10-year period.

New Jersey's forestlands cover 2.1 million acres, of which 62 percent is owned and managed by private individuals and enterprises.

The New Jersey Highlands, a 1,250-square-mile area in the northwestern portion of the state, is renowned for its contiguous forests, wetlands, pristine watersheds and plant and wildlife species habitat. The region produces one-third of the Garden State’s potable water and provides drinking water to more than 60 percent of New Jersey’s residents. Surface and groundwater sources in the Highlands supply water to 16 counties and 292 municipalities.

Contact the Northern Regional office at 973.786.5035 or the Trenton office at 609.292.2531 for additional information.

17 Common Questions - 17 Common Answers

1. What is the Forest Stewardship Program?
   The Forest Stewardship Program (FSP) is a federally funded forest management program designed by the US Forest Service and National Association of State Foresters. The program is intended to encourage management of private forestland for non-commodity benefits, such as wildlife, recreation, aesthetics and water quality as well as traditional commodities like timber and wood products. Forest Stewardship promotes long-term active management while emphasizing consideration of all the forest resources and benefits.
2. How is NJ's Forest Stewardship Program Coordinated?
   Under the direction of the State Forester, the NJ Forest Stewardship Committee maintains a state master plan and meets regularly to oversee and manage all aspects of the program. The committee includes representatives from the following natural resource agencies, organizations and professionals: The NJ Forest Service; Rutgers Cooperative Extension; USDA Forest Service; USDA Farm Service Agency; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; NJ State Soil Conservation Committee; Soil Conservation Districts; NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife; US Fish and Wildlife Service; NJ Audubon Society; NJ Forestry Association; NJ Consulting Foresters; NJ Conservation Foundation; and NJ Tree Farm Program.
3. What are the general benefits of participation in FSP?
   Among the many benefits of participation are the availability of both technical and financial management assistance; environmentally responsible management of New Jersey's forest resources; active involvement in forest management; public recognition as a steward of the land; and the personal satisfaction of managing forest resources for present and future generations.
4. Am I required to manage for timber or wood products to participate in FSP?
   NO, not if timber products or income from timber products are not primary management objectives.
5. Does FSP require a long term commitment?
   Landowners are asked to maintain cost-shared funded practices for 10 years. In addition, it is agreed that the 10-year Forest Stewardship Plan be implemented to the best of the landowner's ability.
6. What happens if I am in the program and sell my land before the 10 years expire?
   If the property is sold and the new landowner agrees to follow the FSP plan and continue to maintain stewardship practices, no penalties will be incurred by the original owner. If land use changes, however, the original landowner may be responsible for repaying all cost-share funds received during enrollment in the program.
7. Can I participate in both the FSP and the NJ Tree Farm Program?
   Yes. The NJ Tree Farm Program requires a minimum of 10 acres of woodland, and the production of traditional forest products as a primary management objective.
8. How do I know if I am eligible to participate in the Forest Stewardship Program?
   Nonindustrial private woodland owners who own 5 acres or more of qualifying land are eligible to participate. Qualifying land is rural land with existing tree cover or other woody vegetation, or land suitable for growing such vegetation, that is owned by an individual, group, association, corporation or other legal private entity.
9. How do I enroll?
   Contact your local New Jersey Forest Service Regional Forester.
10. Will my current forest management plan qualify me for enrollment in NJ's FSP?
    It might. By contacting your local regional forester or your consulting forester you can determine if any changes or additions need to be made to an existing forest management plan to qualify for enrollment. In most cases, only minor additions are needed to the plan.
11. Can my consulting forester qualify me for FSP enrollment?
    Yes. Any consulting forester or other natural resource management professional can develop a forest stewardship management plan to qualify a landowner for enrollment. In fact, there are many consultants who attend regularly scheduled FSP programs to stay up-to-date on the latest program changes and requirements.
12. Because this is a federally funded state program, do I have to open my property to the public if I enroll?
    No. You are not obligated to open your property to the public.
13. How does enrollment in the FSP affect my Farmland Assessment (FLA)?
    FLA and FSP are separate programs. As long as the criteria for each program are met, enrollment in FSP should not affect FLA. Cost-sharing received through FLEP for management practices can, in most cases, be combined with other management revenues to meet the income requirements of FLA.
14. What is FLEP?
    The Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP) is a new cost-share program available starting in 2003. The cost-share funds available through FLEP are intended as incentives to encourage private landowners to be good land stewards and actively manage their woodlands for a wide variety of objectives.
15. What are some examples of FLEP technical practices that are eligible for cost-sharing?
    Many on-the-ground practices are available for cost-sharing through FLEP. Some of the more commonly used practices are: forest stewardship plan development, site preparation, tree planting and tree shelters, forest stand improvement (FSI), and wildlife habitat enhancement.
16. Where can I get technical assistance?
    Depending on your objectives and needs, technical assistance can be obtained through the following organizations: NJ Forest Service; NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; US Fish and Wildlife Service and professional management consultants.
17. What if I have more questions concerning FSP?
    Write down your questions and mail them to your local regional forester. The addresses and phone numbers can be found by clicking this link.