Private Forest Improvement and Protection Program

The Private Forest Improvement and Protection Program provides financial and technical assistance to private landowners to improve native forest health and resilience in the Turtle Mountains. This pilot program is funded through an Outdoor Heritage Fund grant, in conjunction with North Dakota Forest Service, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

General Program Guidelines

This program is available only in the Turtle Mountains.

The OHF grant includes funding to enroll 1,000 acres of native forest into 20-year forest protection agreements.

The OHF grant requires at least 600 of the 1,000 acres to be enrolled in the PLOTS program for 20 years.

The OHF grant requires all enrolled lands to include a site-specific forest stewardship plan, developed by NDFS, that evaluates forest composition and incorporates landowner input to achieve long-term goals for conservation, recreation and forest health.

All stewardship plans will require aspen clearcutting on approximately 10% of the enrolled acres. If aspen management has been completed in the past 10 years, this requirement may be waived at the discretion of NDFS.

Landowners who enroll in PLOTS will receive 100% cost-share for aspen management. Landowners who do not enroll in PLOTS will receive 75% cost-share for aspen management.

Aspen Regeneration

Clear-cutting aspen is the most effective method to regenerate aspen. Clear-cutting results in all trees being felled in a defined management area mutually agreed upon by the landowner, NDGF and NDFS. NDGF will secure experienced contractors through a competitive bidding process.

• All trees and shrubs of all species are usually removed in a clearcut.
• Most tree trunks are mechanically shredded by specialized forestry equipment. Some will remain intact on the ground, and some dead trees will remain standing for wildlife use. Wood decomposes naturally over time and provides nutrients for new growth.
• Landowners can utilize firewood from the clearcut if it can be accessed without negatively impacting the new aspen regrowth.
• Grazing is detrimental to forest regeneration; therefore, grazing is not permitted on enrolled acreage during the 20-year term of the agreement.

Payment Rates

• All protection and access payments are issued upfront in a lump sum.
• Forest protection payments - $25/year x 20 years = $500/acre
• PLOTS payments - $10/year x 20 years = $200/acre
• Landowners who sign 20-year PLOTS agreements will receive 100% cost-share for aspen management activities.
• Landowners who do not enroll in 20-year PLOTS agreements will receive 75% cost-share for aspen management activities.

How to Apply

Landowners can contact a private land biologist to discuss specific program details, agreement terms, payment rates and how to apply.