The Forest and Water Fund provides direct cash reimbursement of up to $25,000 for projects to enhance your woods and protect our shared water resources by using specific practices for your forested land.

Forest and Water Fund Project Team

Together, our team helps landowners strengthen forest health while protecting Michigan’s water resources.

Vic Lane

Project Manager
MFA's Forest and Water Fund

Ellie Johnson

Outreach Forester
Michigan Forest Association

Melissa Franquist

Grant Accountant
Michigan Forest Association

Forest & Water Fund

Process & Cost-Share Programs

The Forest & Water Fund provides financial and technical assistance to landowners who wish to implement conservation practices on their property. Below you will find a step-by-step overview of how the application and funding process works alongside a summary of reimbursement rates and cost-share categories drawn from the program documents.

Process Overview for Landowners

1. 1
   Initial Contact

   Landowners reach out to the Michigan Forest Association (MFA) through the website intake form or other contact methods. MFA provides checklists and an application packet to help landowners plan practices that meet fund requirements:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.

2. 2
   Consultants & Contractors Engaged

   The landowner hires a consultant to plan and oversee activities and contractors to implement the work. MFA can provide a list of consultants and a checklist of plan requirements:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.

3. 3
   Planning Assistance

   MFA staff work with the landowner and consultant to prepare the application and choose activities that meet funding requirements :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.

4. 4
   Application Submitted

   The landowner submits a signed and completed application to MFA :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

5. 5
   Application Review & Prioritization

   MFA staff review and prioritize applications based on project readiness, impact and programmatic goals:contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.

6. 6
   Contract Negotiated

   Upon prioritization, MFA and the landowner negotiate and sign a contract outlining practices and reimbursement terms:contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.

7. 7
   Plans for Practices Completed

   Required management or practice plans are finalized. Plans may be prepared anytime after initial contact and should be completed within four months of the contract date:contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.

8. 8
   Activities Implemented

   The landowner implements contracted practices. Receipts for expenses are submitted to MFA. Practices should generally be completed within 12 months of the contract date:contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.

9. 9
   Reimbursement Requested

   Once practices are completed, the landowner notifies MFA and requests reimbursement. Plans and practices may be submitted for verification as they are finished:contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.

10. 10
    Practices Verified

    MFA verifies that contracted practices have been implemented via site visit and documentation. Typical verification turnaround is about two weeks:contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

11. 11
    Reimbursement Issued

    MFA reimburses the landowner for covered expenses at the appropriate cost-share rate. Reimbursement is typically processed within 30 days:contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.

Reimbursement Rates & Fund Pools

Table 2 below summarizes the reimbursement rates and available funding pools for each practice category. These figures are taken from the practice descriptions and eligibility document provided by the user.

Practice	Underserved Landowners (40% of fund)	15 Priority Watersheds (15% of fund)	Small (<2500 ac) Statewide (45% of fund)	Landowner Award Range
High Carbon Reserves	$250 per acre	$225 per acre	$200 per acre	$2.5k – $25k
Prescribed Fire	100% of costs	90% of costs	80% of costs	$2.5k – $25k
Ecological Tree Planting	100% of costs	90% of costs	80% of costs	$2.5k – $25k
Climate Resilience	100% of costs	90% of costs	80% of costs	$2.5k – $25k
Fund Pool Total	$2,560,000	$960,000	$2,880,000	$6,400,000

Cost Share Rate Categories

1. Underserved landowners (100% cost share) – This category includes landowners who own forest land for less than 10 years, veterans or active duty military, Native American landowners, residents of specified high-poverty counties (Clare, Houghton, Isabella, Lake, Mecosta & Wayne) or those with incomes below the federal poverty limit:contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
2. Priority watersheds (90% cost share) – Fifteen river systems identified by the Forests to Faucets program are eligible for a 90% cost share: Dead River, Menominee River, St Mary’s River, Thunder Bay, Boardman River, Pere Marquette River, White River, Muskegon River, Grand River, Kalamazoo River, St Joe River, Flint River, Huron River, Raisin River and Rouge River:contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
3. Other private forest landowners (80% cost share) – Any other private forest landowner with less than 2,500 acres qualifies for an 80% cost share rate:contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.

Our Partners

The Forest & Water Fund is made possible through partnerships that support landowners, forests, and Michigan’s water resources

Michigan Forest Association

The Michigan Forest Association supports private forest landowners through education, advocacy, and sustainable forest management across the state.

Michigan Association of Consulting Foresters

The Michigan Association of Consulting Foresters represents professional foresters dedicated to responsible, landowner-focused forest management.
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Michigan Association of Conservation Districts

The Michigan Association of Conservation Districts supports local conservation districts in helping landowners protect natural resources and improve land stewardship.