Arkansas Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Program

Arkansas's Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Program cost-shares first commercial thinning, non-commercial thinning and prescribed burning in overstocked pine stands to head off beetle outbreaks, up to $10,000 per landowner. It also pays loggers a $3,000 incentive to take small jobs (40 acres or less). Funding comes from a U.S. Forest Service award, with one application round a year.

• Non-industrial private landowners, as well as groups, small corporations, and part-time forest product manufacturers

• At least 10 contiguous acres of pine

• Estimated stand-wide basal area of greater than 120 ft² per acre of pine

Per-acre payments for thinning; 75% of invoiced cost (with per-acre caps) for non-commercial thinning and prescribed burning; $10,000 landowner cap.

Published amounts: Each landowner is eligible for a maximum cost share of $10,000. First commercial thinning for pulpwood: $50 per acre; in-woods chips: $75 per acre; non-commercial thinning: 75% of invoiced costs not to exceed $125 per acre; prescribed burning: 75% of invoiced costs not to exceed $37.50 per acre. Logger incentive payment of $3,000 for properties of 40 acres or less of pine. 2026 total: $250,000.

Submit the application and project plan to ADA.SPBPP@arkansas.gov by the annual deadline (August 28 in 2026).

Deadline text on the page: The deadline for 2026 applications is August 28th (extended; news 2026-08-19: 'Applications for both cost-share programs will now be accepted through August 28, 2026.').