Timber Restoration Fund to help landowners recover

Landowners in 93 North Carolina counties whose timber lands were damaged by Hurricane Matthew or wildfires last year may apply for state funds to help with tree planting costs.

The Disaster Recovery Act of 2016 included $1 million for the Timber Restoration Fund, administered by the N.C. Forest Service.

“Funding for the program is available now, and landowners are encouraged to apply early,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “This is a one-time, time-limited fund designed to help landowners who have shovel-ready projects that can be completed by April 30, 2018.”

To be eligible for the program, projects must be between five and 100 acres, and landowners must be ready to implement site preparation and tree planting practices.

All N.C. counties are eligible for the program except Alamance, Durham, Granville, Orange, Person, Vance and Warren.

Interested landowners should contact their county ranger’s office to apply. To learn more about the Timber Restoration Fund, visit http://ncforestservice.gov and follow the links under “Managing Your Forest.”