Florida Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program

The Florida Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program helps non-industrial private forest landowners reduce pine beetle damage through management practices. It provides partial cost reimbursement or incentive payments for forest treatments that improve stand health and decrease infestation susceptibility. Funding comes from temporary USDA Forest Service grants.

Eligible applicants are non-industrial private forest landowners located in 44 northern Florida counties within the southern pine beetle range. Minimum tract size is 10 acres (5 acres for first pulpwood thinning). One application per landowner annually, with up to two approved practices per year.

Maximum funding is $10,000 per landowner per year. All payments are made at specified per-acre or per-seedling rates. Eligible practices: first pulpwood thinning, prescribed burning, planting longleaf and/or slash pine, and mechanical underbrush treatments. Limited funding is available.

Cost-share rates. First pulpwood thinning $100/acre; prescribed burning $15/acre; mechanical underbrush treatment $30/acre. Pine stands established or treated with program funds must be maintained for at least five (5) years following completion of the treatment.

The 2026 application window (September 1 – October 9, 2026) has closed. Contact your local County Forester office for details.