Illinois Forestry Development Act (FDA) Cost Share Program

Cost-share for private forest landowners enrolled in the Forestry Development Act program to carry out practices in their approved forest management plan, such as tree planting, timber stand improvement, invasive control and prescribed fire. It is paid from the state's 4% timber harvest fee, funds are limited, and work must be approved before it starts.

• At least 10 contiguous acres systematically managed for timber and conservation

• Forest management plan written to Illinois Forest Management Plan standards and approved by IDNR

• Land kept in forest condition at least 10 years; grazing not allowed

• Cook County excluded (tax incentive)

Must be approved before work begins; landowner may do the work or hire a contractor and track expenses.

Published amounts: No rate published in the booklet or HTML page; see 17 Ill. Adm. Code 1536.

Contact your District Forester to inquire about the availability of funding. If funds are available, you will need to sign an FDA Cost-Share Application, fill out a W-9 form, and return them to the District Forestry Office.

Deadline text on the page: FDA Cost-Share funds may be available. When available, cost-share funds may be requested for any recommended practice in your plan. However, FDA funds are limited and Cost-Share funds MUST be applied for and approved prior to the start of any work toward that recommended practice.