TRENTON - Working to encourage sound forest stewardship, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson today announced that $85,000 in federal funding is available to private forestland owners in the New Jersey Highlands.
With funding from the U.S. Forest Service, the New Jersey Forest Service will reimburse a qualifying landowner up to $3,000 to develop a forest stewardship plan for their property.
Private landowners with 10 or more acres of woodlands in the Highlands are encouraged to apply. Applications are due by Jan. 1, 2008.
The Forest Stewardship grant program encourages management of private forestland for non-commodity benefits, such as wildlife habitat, recreational value and water quality, as well as traditional commodities such as timber and wood products.
Applicants who receive funding are required to maintain and implement their forest stewardship plans for a 10-year period.
New Jersey's forestlands cover 2.1 million acres, of which 62 percent is owned and managed by private individuals and enterprises.
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
www.state.nj.us/dep
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