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.

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The California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access For All Act of 2018 (Proposition 68) was passed by voters in June of 2018. Proposition 68 funds are authorized through Public Resource code §80135(a) to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) for projects that provide ecological restoration of forests. Projects may include forest restoration activities and forest management practices that promote forest resilience to severe wildfire, climate change, and other disturbances. CAL FIRE has been awarded $6 million of Proposition 68 funding for the California Forest Improvement Program (CFIP) for fiscal year 2019-2020.

CFIP is currently rolling out this grant opportunity to the eligible forest landowners of California. Prior to awarding CFIP Grants, CFIP is required to amend the CFIP Guidelines in-order to include the Proposition 68 funding requirements and allow a 30-day public review of the Proposition 68 CFIP Guidelines. The CFIP Guidelines have been amended to include the Proposition 68 Funding requirements. The Proposition 68 CFIP Guidelines constitute the CFIP User’s Guide (2019 Edition); Appendix A – CFIP Advancement Agreement Guidelines; Appendix B – CFIP 2019-2020 Proposition 68 Additional Guidelines.

CAL FIRE will be releasing $1.5 million per quarter. Only the highest ranked CFIP projects/applications will be selected for funding in each application period.  Once the funds have been liquidated or encumbered for the designated quarter, all valid unfunded CFIP projects/applications shall be moved to the next funding cycle to compete with CFIP projects/applications that are submitted during that designated period. We expect to open the next application period immediately following the preceding one.

We expect to have application periods end on the following dates:

1. November 30, 2019
2. February 28, 2020
3. May 30, 2020
4. August 30, 2020

Please check back to this website as dates can potentially change. 

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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.