California Forest Improvement Program

The purpose of the California Forest Improvement Program (CFIP) is to encourage private and public investment in, and improved management of, California forest lands and resources. This focus is to ensure adequate high quality timber supplies, related employment and other economic benefits, and the protection, maintenance, and enhancement of a productive and stable forest resource system for the benefit of present and future generations.

The program scope includes the improvement of all forest resources including fish and wildlife habitat, and soil and water quality. Cost-share assistance is provided to private and public ownerships containing 20 to 5,000 acres of forest land. Cost-shared activities include:

• Preparation of a Forest Management Plan by a Registered Professional Forester (RPF)
• RPF Supervision of the following:
• Reforestation
  • Site Preparation
  • Trees and Planting
  • Tree Shelters
• Stand Improvement
  • Pre-commercial Thinning or Release
  • Pruning
  • Follow-up (includes mechanical, herbicide and/or slash disposal follow-up
• Forestland conservation practices / fish and wildlife habitat improvement

Funding:
The source of funds for CFIP projects historically has come from California's Forest Resource Improvement Fund (FRIF). CAL FIRE may also receive funding from a variety of other State and Federal sources. Different funding sources may have different requirements or additional application procedures. Be sure to discuss this with your Forestry Assistance Specialist (FAS) at the CAL FIRE unit in which your project resides, the Regional FAS, or call the CFIP program manager in Sacramento. A list of contacts is provided in the "More Info" section to the right.

CFIP was not funded for the current State fiscal year, running from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. No funds are available for new projects now. When funding becomes available, this site will be updated. Please check back to this website.

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The Application/Contract Process:
The CFIP User's Guide and Forestry Assistance staff contacts are provided at the top of this page under “More Information”. The User’s Guide contains answers to common questions about CFIP, including the application process. The Unit Forestry FAS are always available to pre-consult on potential projects and answer any questions you may have.