Texas Resilient Landscapes Initiative

Texas Resilient Landscapes Initiative is sponsored by Texas A&M Forest Service. This program aims to build resilience in Texas forests and woodland ecosystems by supporting reforestation efforts in areas that have experienced tree damage due to natural disasters within the last 10 years.

Texas Resilient Landscapes Initiative - Texas A&M Forest Service Texas Resilient Landscapes Initiative Closed The application period has ended. Pending funding availability, another application period will be announced in the fall. Build resilience in Texas forests and woodland ecosystems by leveraging funding to support reforestation efforts in areas that have experienced tree damage due to natural disasters within the last 10 years .

This includes tree loss from fire, flood, wind/ice storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, drought, insect, and disease issues. Shredding or mulching, prescribed burning, direct seeding, riparian forest buffer planting, bareroot or containerized seedling planting, and temporary browse protection. One type of planting/seeding must be included in the planned practices.

Properties with tree loss from natural disasters within the last 10 years with a minimum project area of 10 acres and maximum of 150 acres for the replanting efforts. Non-federal, non-industrial forest/woodland landowners in good standing with the State of Texas. Must have a written stewardship plan prior to reimbursement.

The application closed January 23, 2026. Another application will be announced in fall 2026, pending funding availability. The Texas Resilient Landscape Initiative program builds resilience in Texas forests and woodlands by leveraging cost-share funding to support reforestation efforts in areas vulnerable to risk of loss from disaster and change.

Non-federal, non-industrial forest landowners are eligible to receive up to $80,000 per year for practices implemented on their properties. Practices must be between 10 – 150 acres , and the property must have a stewardship plan prior to reimbursement. The practice areas must have recently (within the past ten years) lost trees due to natural disasters or weather extremes.

Awardees will have one year to complete the project. Shredding or mulching | $168. 75/ac Prepare the site for planting by shredding or mulching competing vegetation and standing woody debris.

Site preparation through shredding or mulching must be completed in conjunction with a tree planting practice (listed below). The following specifications are required to meet the full reimbursement rate. Shredding and mulching guide Work may be completed up to six months prior to planting.

Mulching, shredding specifications Work must be completed at a sufficient intensity to remove competing or invasive vegetation, reduce wildfire risk, and enable access for planting. No more than 25% of the project area may be left untreated. Shredding must be completed at a height of 2-4 inches.

All live native trees greater than four inches DBH must be retained. All work must adhere to Texas Forestry Best Management Practices . All work must be inspected prior to final reimbursement.

Prescribed fire | $37. 50/ac Prepare the site for planting by prescribed burning to remove competing vegetation and standing woody debris. Site preparation through prescribed burning must be completed in conjunction with a tree planting practice (listed below).

The following specifications are required to meet the full reimbursement rate. Participants will work with a licensed Texas Department of Agricultural Certified and Insured Prescribed Burn Manager (CIPBM). CIPBMs will notify Texas A&M Forest Service at least 24 hours prior to the prescribed burn ignition.

Contracts should email [email protected] and [email protected] with notification. This notification does not represent: an approval by the agency of the safety of the project, any review of environmental conditions, or liability for the burn manager’s decision to conduct the prescribed burn. All work must adhere to Texas Forestry Best Management Practices .

CIPBMs will notify Texas A&M Forest Service immediately after the prescribed burn and provide the number of acres that were treated. CIPBMs will bill the landowner. Agency personnel will conduct a post-burn inspection to verify the treatment acreage.

Direct seeding | $337. 50/ac Establish native trees adapted to future conditions through direct seeding when planting is not practical or feasible. The following specifications are required to meet the full reimbursement rate.

Seedlings should be planted between October and April. Seeds must be collected while ripe and appropriately stored to prevent drying or mold formation. Seeding must be conducted at a rate that supports a minimum germination of 600 trees per acre.

Seeds must be distributed in away that ensures contact with bare mineral soil. Any seeds that require special treatment such as scarification prior to germination will be treated. All work must be inspected prior to final reimbursement.

Plant live cuttings | $375/ac Establish a riparian forest buffer using cuttings of regionally appropriate species such as cottonwoods and willows. Cuttings should be planted during dormancy, between October and April. Stakes should be planted at a minimum rate of 200 cuttings per acre.

All work must adhere to Texas Forestry Best Management Practices . All work must be inspected prior to final reimbursement. Bareroot or containerized seedlings | $5.

60/seedling Plant bareroot or containerized seedlings native and well adapted to the planting site. The following specifications are required to meet the full reimbursement rate. Seedlings should be planted at a minimum rate of 200 seedlings per acre.

Information, including planting rate, for hardwood tree establishment , pine tree establishment , and longleaf tree establishment . Seedlings should be planted during dormancy, between the months of October and April. All work must adhere to Texas Forestry Best Management Practices .

All work must be inspected prior to final reimbursement. Temporary browse protection | $4. 90/seedling Protect planted seedlings with temporary browse protection sufficient to provide 3 years of protection from the primary identified animal threat.

Installing temporary browse protection must be completed in conjunction with a tree planting practice (listed above). Examples of temporary browse protection includes tree shelters and tree cages that prevent animal damage. The following specifications are required to meet the full reimbursement rate.

Temporary browse protection guide Structures must be installed within 2 weeks of planting. Type of browse protection must be sufficient to protect the entire seedling or live stake from predominant animal threat for a minimum of three years. All work must be inspected prior to final reimbursement.

Interested party fills out online application. Applications are reviewed using matrix and awarded. Applicant receives award decision letter.

Local agency forester/ecologist conducts site visit and creates a practice plan for the project (plan may also be created ahead of time and submitted with the application). Awardees submit W9, supporting documentation as needed, and sign agreement with agency. Applicants have one year to complete practice(s).

Stewardship plan is created for property if none exists. Forester inspects work to ensure it was performed to specifications. Applicant paid established cost-share rate for practices completed according to specifications.

Application (external link) Contact us for more information about the Texas Resilient Landscapes Initiative.