Enhancing Gulf Waters Through Forested Watershed Restoration RESTORE Landowner Incentive Program

The RESTORE Landowner Incentive Program aims to increase the acreage of healthy pine ecosystems in Florida by helping non-industrial private forest (NIPF) landowners through cost-share reimbursement for approved forest management practices that enhance water resources and forest health, funded by the RESTORE Act.

Applicants must be non-industrial private landowners, county/local governments, or registered nonprofit organizations owning their own land. Properties must be located within the designated RESTORE project area and have a minimum practice area of 10 acres (funding caps at 250 acres).

The program reimburses two practice categories: Tree Establishment (site preparation, seedling purchase, and planting) and Timber Stand Improvement (first pulpwood thinning, underbrush treatment, and prescribed burning). All on-the-ground practices must be completed no later than April 30, 2027.

The 2026 application window ran January 13 – March 27, 2026. Landowners must contact their local Florida Forest Service County Forester to begin the application process.