USDA Emergency Forest Restoration Assistance for Private Landowners

Sarah Scheitz • February 15, 2024

Were you or someone you know impacted by tornado damage to private forestland in Livingston or Ingham County? The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides programs that provide financial assistance to private landowners to help restore forests. The Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) was recently implemented by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Ingham and Livingston counties due to storm damage from high winds and a tornado that went through these counties in August of 2023.

How does one receive financial assistance? To receive payments, eligible persons must be an owner of nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) land. NIPF is rural forest lands with existing tree cover, or which are suitable for growing trees, that are owned by a private non-industrial forest landowner. Forestland is land that is at least 120 feet wide, 1 acre in size, and at least ten percent covered by live trees of any size. The land must have existing tree cover, or tree cover immediately before the damage took place and is sustainable for growing trees.

After an application is received, FSA conducts on-site damage inspections that evaluate the extent and type of damage of the owner’s land. An environmental review is required before implementation of a project. Forest restoration practices may include debris removal and site preparation, erosion control structures, tree protection from wildlife damage, and wildlife enhancement to provide adequate wildlife habitat. Restoring forests is important because they provide nutrients for soil, habitat for wildlife, and help protect water supplies.

EFRP signup ends on March 22, 2024. For more information on how to apply and program requirements, contact the Ingham County USDA Service Center at 517-676-4644 ext 2 or visit farmers.gov/recover.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides numerous voluntary programs to help landowners manage natural resources in a sustainable way. Information about additional programs can be found HERE.

 

Recent Posts

On the Ground: Brush Piles and Invasive Species at Denmark Township Mini State Game Area

By Olivia Triltsch • May 21, 2026
On Friday, May 15, 2026, high school students who are part of the Reese High Outdoors Club joined MUCC’s On the Ground Junior program and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at the Denmark Township Mini State Game Area. Students completed a wildlife habitat improvement project by clearing a grassland habitat of invasive woody growth maintained for pheasants. Using the cut vegetation from the area, students constructed several large brush piles throughout the site to benefit small mammals and other wildlife in the area. Maintaining open grassland habitat is important for supporting species that rely on early successional cover for cover or feeding. Due to suppression of natural disturbances, active management helps to control woody vegetation from gradually overtaking the areas and reducing habitat quality for species that rely on the grassland. The project area is near fields planted by the DNR to provide both habitat and food sources for wildlife, making these improvements part of a larger habitat management effort on the property. In total, students directly improved 10 acres of wildlife habitat through this project. Beyond the on-the-ground impact, the event also allowed students to try a hands-on conservation experience and the ability to contribute to habitat management and public land stewardship in Michigan. Projects like this continue to demonstrate the value of engaging the next generation in Michigan's outdoor heritage and wildlife conservation efforts.

On the Ground: Jack Pine Planting Day 2026

By Olivia Triltsch • May 7, 2026
On Saturday, May 2, 2026, a group of dedicated volunteers joined Kirtland's Warbler Alliance, Huron Pines, Saginaw Children’s Zoo, and MUCC's OTG program in planting approximately 4,800 jack pine saplings within the Grayling Forest Management Unit in Crawford County. Jack pines are a critical nesting habitat feature for the once-threatened Kirtland’s warbler. In total, volunteers directly impacted about 7 acres of land were prepared by the Michigan DNR for this planting to allow volunteers to maximize their efforts across the land. This is one of our annual events that is perfect for helpers of all ages and interests.

MUCC Announces Dissolution After Nearly 90 Years of Conservation Advocacy

May 4, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) announces its decision to dissolve after nearly 90 years of conservation advocacy, citing ongoing financial challenges and outlining next steps in an orderly wind-down process.
More Posts