Texas Conservation and Sustainability Initiative

Texas Conservation and Sustainability Initiative is sponsored by Texas A&M Forest Service. This program provides financial and technical assistance to encourage conservation practices that enhance carbon sequestration, promote biodiversity, and improve the sustainability of working forests across Texas.

Texas Conservation and Sustainability Initiative - Texas A&M Forest Service Through financial and technical assistance, the program encourages the adoption of conservation practices that improve carbon sequestration, promote biodiversity, and strengthen the overall sustainability of working forests across Texas. Forest stand establishment, forest fertilization, herbicide, prescribed burning, pre-commercial and first thinnings.

Own or manage private forestland located within the state of Texas Have a current Farm Service Agency (FSA) farm and tract number Work with a degreed forester to develop a Plan of Work (POW) outlining proposed management activities Meet program-specific practice requirements , including minimum and maximum acreage thresholds Agree to implement approved practices in accordance with program guidelines and timelines Landowners begin by contacting program staff to express interest and discuss potential eligibility and project goals.

Step 2: Obtain Required Documentation Applicants must obtain a current Farm Service Agency (FSA) farm and tract number, along with a subsidiary print and tract map for the property. Step 3: Develop a Plan of Work (POW) Applicants work with a qualified forester to develop a detailed Plan of Work outlining the proposed practices, treatment areas, and management objectives.

Step 4: Submit Application A complete application package – including the POW and required FSA documentation – is submitted for review. Incomplete applications may delay processing. Step 5: Application Review Applications are reviewed for eligibility, completeness, and compliance with program requirements.

This may include coordination with partner agencies for additional review. Step 6: Award Notification Approved applicants will receive an award letter outlining the funded practices, payment rates, and next steps. Applicants should not begin work until approval is received.

Step 7: Implementation and Reimbursement Once approved, applicants may proceed with implementation. Payments are issued on a cost-share basis after practices are completed and verified. The Texas Conservation and Sustainability Initiative (TCSI) is a forestry cost-share program designed to support private landowners in implementing practices that enhance forest health, productivity, and long-term sustainability.

The program provides financial assistance and technical guidance to encourage active forest management across Texas. TCSI focuses on promoting adaptive silviculture and conservation practices that improve tree vigor, increase carbon sequestration, and enhance wildlife habitat.

By supporting activities such as forest thinning, site preparation, and vegetation management, the program helps landowners achieve both economic and environmental objectives on their property. Through partnerships with natural resource professionals and agencies, TCSI ensures that participating landowners receive science-based recommendations and guidance throughout the application and implementation process.

The program plays an important role in maintaining healthy, resilient working forests that contribute to local economies and environmental quality across the state. General terms and conditions Approval Required Prior to Implementation Applicants must receive written approval before beginning any funded practices. Work completed prior to approval is not eligible for reimbursement.

Approved practices must be completed within one (1) year from the date of the award letter, unless an extension is granted by the program. Failure to meet this deadline may result in forfeiture of funding. Practice Maintenance Requirement Participants are required to maintain the completed treatment area for a minimum of five (5) years following implementation.

Failure to maintain the practice in accordance with program standards may result in repayment of funds or other corrective actions. TCSI provides financial assistance on a cost-share basis. Payments are issued only after approved practices have been completed, inspected, and verified.

Practices funded through TCSI may not receive financial assistance from other federal, state, or local cost-share programs for the same activity on the same acres. Applicants are responsible for disclosing any other funding sources, and duplication of benefits may result in denial of payment or removal from the program.

Compliance with Plan of Work (POW) All practices must be implemented in accordance with the approved Plan of Work developed with a qualified forester. Deviations from the approved plan may result in reduced or denied payment.

Documentation Requirements Participants are responsible for maintaining and submitting all required documentation, including invoices, receipts, maps, and any additional materials necessary for verification and reimbursement.

Access for Monitoring and Soil Sampling Participants must grant program staff or authorized partners reasonable access to the property to conduct pre- and post-treatment evaluations , including soil sampling and other monitoring activities. Inspection and Verification TCSI reserves the right to conduct site visits or request supporting documentation to confirm that practices have been completed as approved.

Program Funding and Availability Funding is limited and provided on a first-come, first-served or competitive basis, depending on program guidelines. Submission of an application does not guarantee funding. Compliance with Laws and Regulations Participants must comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws, including environmental and forestry regulations.

Program agreements are non-transferable without prior approval. Changes in land ownership or management must be reported promptly. Right to Modify or Terminate The program reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate funding or participation if terms and conditions are not met.

Forest stand establishment | Up to $600/acre Forest stand establishment includes prompt ordering, careful delivery and storage, and proper planting of tree seedlings. It also includes all necessary site preparation, early post-planting treatments, and other cultural activities required to successfully establish a fully stocked, free-to-grow, and vigorous crop.

A forest stand is a well-delineated area within your property boundaries in which the group of trees are all uniform age, size, arrangement, and composition. Most management practices are performed at the stand level. Forest fertilization | $110/acre Proper soil management and forest nutrition are key to maintaining the productivity of planted or natural forests.

However, few forest soils provide an optimum supply of the nutrient elements essential for the growth potential of trees. Where beneficial, this program incentivizes fertilization practices at the time of stand establishment, crown closure, and/or mid-rotation provided that competition is adequately controlled for each situation.

The closely-monitored control of unwanted vegetation with herbicides increases tree vigor, production, and tree volume gains leading to increased carbon capture rates in Southern U.S. forests. Incentives are available for implementing recommended competition control using a variety of application methods.

Prescribed burn I $3,000/award + $50/acre for each acre >60 Prescribed burning is the planned application of fire to an area to manage undesirable vegetation, reduce wildfire hazards from biomass accumulation, improve wildlife habitat, and improve soil health.

Thinning I Up to $275/acre ($3,000 bonus for <60 acres) Forest thinning activities that harvest small, low-vigor inferior trees ultimately improve the health and vigor of residual trees. Incentives are available for thinning practices implemented on their property. Frequently asked questions What is a Farm Service Record and how do I establish one?

A Farm Service Record registers you and your agricultural operation so that you may apply for USDA financial assistance programs such as farm loans, disaster assistance, crop insurance, NRCS programs, and the TCSI. This registration creates a unique farm and tract number. Without a Farm Service Record, you are not eligible to receive reimbursement.

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) can help you establish your Farm Service Record. To find your local FSA office and to schedule an appointment, visit your USDA Service Center I don’t have Farm Service Records yet or they are still being processed, can I still submit an application? Yes.

All applicants are encouraged to apply and start an initial conversation with their local Texas A&M Forester or certified consultant forester. The TCSI acknowledges that farm record establishment takes time. I don’t currently have a forester, what should I do?

Visit My Land Management Connector to connect with a consulting forester and find your local Texas A&M Forest Service office to get started. What are the specifications for each carbon focused forest management practice? Each carbon-focused forest management practice has detailed information outlining the required specifications.

Contact your local Texas A&M District Forester for more information, or visit Texas Conservation and Sustainability Initiative Will sampling need to be done on my property in order to participate in the TCSI? Landowners must be willing to allow pre- and post-treatment health monitoring measurements to be taken by a TCSI team member.

Samples being taken include soil samples and tree measurements, such as tree height, diameter, and canopy coverage. Incentive payments are not contingent upon data results. Under the TCSI can I receive funding for multiple practices?

Forestry-side practices cannot be stacked: only one forestry practice per Farm Service Agency (FSA) farm number may be awarded at a time. A single applicant may combine a forestry-side practice with an agriculture-side practice. Funding is capped at $45,000 per contract for forestry-only practices and $100,000 per contract when combined with agriculture practices.

Under the TCSI can I apply more than once? Applicants can only have one active contract at any given time. Once a contract is successfully completed, and incentive payment has been received, an applicant can reapply for additional incentives.

I am currently enrolled in another federal/state cost share program, can I also enroll in the TCSI? The TCSI is funded by the USDA, as such applicants may not receive funding for the same practice on the same acre from other state/federal cost-share programs.

Hardwood stand establishment (external link) Chemical competition control (external link) Pine stand establishment (external link) Forest fertilization (external link) Prescribed burn (external link)