# Forestry Development Act Cost-Share Program

> Cost-share from Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forest Resources (State) for IL, United States.

Official page: https://dnr.illinois.gov/conservation/forestry/illinois-forestry-development-act.html
Source: https://treerm.org/residents/programs/il-idnr-forestry-development-act-cost-share · Updated 2026-11-08 · Status: Status not confirmed

**What you get:** Cost-share payments for tree planting, timber stand improvement and other practices in an IDNR-approved forest management plan

Illinois pays private woodland owners part of the cost of practices written into a DNR-approved forest management plan, such as tree planting, timber stand improvement, invasive species control and prescribed fire. The program is funded by a 4% fee on Illinois timber sales. An IDNR district forester writes or approves the plan and signs off on each practice before work starts.

## Who qualifies

Timber growers who own or operate at least 10 contiguous acres enrolled in the Forestry Development Act program and have a DNR-approved forest management plan. Individuals, small businesses and nonprofits are eligible; smaller parcels can stay in only if they have participated continuously. Practices under one acre are generally not paid.

## How to apply

Submit the IFDA Request for Forestry Assistance form to IDNR (One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702; 217-782-6302) to be assigned a district forester and get a management plan. Cost-share applications are signed by the landowner and submitted to the IDNR forester; the practice cannot start until the forester approves the application. Plan preparation itself is reimbursed at a flat $300 plus $7 per acre.

**For:** Landowners, Farmers

> Note: The state grant catalog lists no current application window or deadline for cost-share, and funding is allocated to forestry districts each fiscal year; ask your district forester whether funds are open. IDNR also points FDA landowners to a reduced farmland-style property assessment for managed woodland, but we could not confirm the assessment figure on an official page.