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Apply by May 31, 2024
HAMILTON SQUARE, N.J., March 1, 2024 – The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA)
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in New Jersey is accepting applications for
forest management activities on private lands for the purposes of reducing wildfire risk in municipal
watersheds and the wildland-urban interface, implementing carbon defense activities, improving
habitat for threatened and endangered species, and mitigating the effects of Southern pine beetle,
through the New Jersey Pine Barrens Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership.
Landowners located in the Pinelands region, which covers portions of Atlantic, Burlington, Camden,
Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Ocean counties, are encouraged to contact their local
service center to apply. While NRCS accepts applications for programs year-round, landowners
should apply by May 31, 2024 to be eligible for this funding cycle.
The Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership is one of 14 projects selected across the U.S.
bringing together agricultural producers, forest landowners, and National Forest System lands to
improve forest health using available Farm Bill conservation programs and other authorities.
The Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership enables the Forest Service and NRCS
to collaborate with agricultural producers and forest landowners to invest in conservation and
restoration at a large enough scale to make a difference. Working in partnership, and at this scale,
helps reduce wildfire threats to communities and critical infrastructure, protect water quality and
supply, and improve wildlife habitat for at-risk species.
Initially funded in Fiscal Year 2023, this is the second year of the three-year project in which
landowners work with local USDA experts and partners to apply targeted forestry management
practices on their land, such as thinning, hazardous fuel treatments, fire breaks, and other systems
to meet unique forestry challenges in their area.
To apply, contact an NRCS representative at your local USDA Service Center. You can find your
local Service Center at www.farmers.gov/service-locator. Additionally, on farmers.gov, you can
create a secure account, apply for NRCS programs, electronically sign documents and manage
your conservation contracts.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.