The San Juan Islands Conservation District can provide funding to assist forest landowners in improving forest health and wildfire preparedness in San Juan County. Two programs are currently available to help implement practices that include small-diameter (<8"dbh) thinning, woody residue treatment, Home Ignition Zone treatments, and shaded fuel breaks.

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1) Financial "Cost Share" Program

• For individual landowners

• Reimbursement up to 75% of total cost, not to exceed $3,500 in reimbursement

• Includes a free Wildfire Ready Home Visit or Forest Health Assessment

Click here to view Forestry Financial Cost Share Program Guidelines. 

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2) Free Wildfire Risk Reduction for Priority Areas 

• For neighborhood groups and associations listed as high and medium priority sites in the 2012 San Juan County Community Wildfire Protection Plan

• Activities include a range of fuel reduction treatments

• Includes a free Wildfire Ready Home Visit or Forest Health Assessment

• SJICD will use trained crews to complete the work at no cost to participants. Landowners and residents are encouraged to volunteer their time and resources to support implementing further Home Ignition Zone recommendations.

Click here to view Free Wildfire Risk Reduction for Priority Areas Guidelines. 

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Other Assistance

​The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides financial assistance to forest landowners in Western Washington for wildfire resilience and forest health treatments. See here for more information, or contact District Manager, Gene Phillips at Gene.Phillips@dnr.wa.gov.

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USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offers financial assistance to help forest landowners address concerns identified in their management plans. Contact the local field office in Mount Vernon for more information. Key programs include:​

• EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program)

• CSP (Conservation Stewardship Program)

 

Northwest Natural Resource Group (NNRG) is offering cost share assistance to western Washington landowners to help their forests better withstand climate change and store more carbon as part of a “climate smart” forestry initiative. Visit their website to learn more.