Southern Pine Beetle Prevention
Cost-Share Program

Beginning July 30, 2008, the Division of Forestry will re-offer the Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Cost Share Program to eligible non-industrial private forest landowners.

The goal of the program is to minimize southern pine beetle damage in Florida by helping forest landowners reduce the susceptibility of their pine stands to this destructive insect pest. Periodic southern pine beetle outbreaks in Florida have resulted in millions of cubic feet of pine timber killed on thousands of acres. Forest management practices, such as thinning, prescribed burning, other competition control, and use of less-susceptible pine species can improve the health of pine stands and decrease their likelihood of developing southern pine beetle infestations.

Program Information

• Up to 50% cost reimbursement for pre-commercial thinning, prescribed burning and mechanical underbrush treatments in existing pine stands.
• A $50 per acre incentive payment for landowners who conduct a first pulpwood thinning.
• Up to 50% reimbursement for the cost of longleaf seedlings and $25 per acre in planting cost assistance to establish a longleaf pine plantation.

The program is limited to 44 northern Florida counties located within the range of the southern pine beetle.

Qualified landowners may apply for up to two approved practices per year.

The minimum tract size requirement is 10 acres and funding requests may not exceed $10,000. Other practice requirements, acreage limits, and maximum reimbursement rates apply. 

Applying for the SPB Prevention Program

Applications and program guidelines will be available from your local Division of Forestry County Forester beginning July 30, 2008.

• Visit your local Division of Forestry office
• Contact the County Forester in your area

Applications will be evaluated on a first-received, first-served basis*.
The program is supported through temporary grants from the USDA Forest Service and will be offered only as long as funding is available.

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