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AHOSKIE – Financial assistance for forest landowners in northeastern North Carolina is available through two programs, one of which has a March 6 application deadline, The Roanoke Center’s Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention Project (SFLRP) has announced.

SFLRP counties where landowners are eligible for these funding opportunities are Bertie, Chowan, Gates, Halifax, Hertford, Northampton, and Perquimans.

Funding is available through the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS); this program has a March 6 application deadline; and the SFLRP program, which has funds available on a first-come, first-served basis until the allotted funds are depleted.

EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to landowners to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and improved wildlife habitat. Through its partnership with the SFLRP, this NRCS cost-share program also assists forest landowners with the implementation of forest management practices that include tree and shrub establishment, prescribed burning, wildlife habitat enhancements and a host of other forestry-related practices.

To be eligible to apply for EQIP’s fiscal year 2020 funds, specific to SFLRP, a landowner in the region must be a participant in the Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention Project; own woodland property in Bertie, Chowan, Gates, Halifax, Hertford, Northampton or Perquimans counties; have established records with the local Farm Service Agency; meet NRCS eligibility guidelines; own one eight-acre woodland property (specific only to SFLRP participation); and have or obtain a forest management plan.

For more information, contact SFLRP Program Manager Alton Perry at 252-539-4602 or your local USDA NRCS Office.

A separate funding opportunity exists to assist the many forest landowners in the region who don’t have current forest management plans. The SFLRP is offering up to $1,000 per landowner to aid in plan development. These funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until the allotted funds are depleted.

Maintaining a detailed forest management plan is a requirement for landowners applying for financial assistance to implement forestry practices or enter into the NC Tree Farm Program.

To be eligible for this SFLRP funding, a landowner must own at least one contiguous, wooded eight-acre property in Bertie, Chowan, Gates, Halifax, Hertford, Northampton or Perquimans counties; be or become a Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention Project participant; and use awarded funds to pay the North Carolina Forest Service or a private consulting forester to develop a forest management plan and the enrollment fee for forest certification into the NC Tree Farm Program.

For landowners who wish to enroll in the NC Tree Farm Program, funds are available to assist with the $350 enrollment fee. The property must contain a minimum of 10 wooded acres and meet other NC Tree Farm Program guidelines.

SFLRP is operated through Roanoke Electric Cooperative’s nonprofit subsidiary, The Roanoke Center. The center offers a range of education, application and financial assistance to forest landowners throughout the co-op’s seven-county service territory. SFLRP makes this funding available to local forest landowners through funding from Enviva Holdings LP. Enviva awarded funds to the SFLRP to assist its land retention and healthy forests conservation efforts.

For information and application assistance, contact SFLRP Program Manager Alton Perry at 252539-4602 or aperry@roanokeelectric.com