WoodsWISE Resilience Program

The WoodsWISE Resilience Program is administered by the Maine Forest Service, a state agency responsible for the protection, management, and sustainable use of Maine’s forest resources. This program reflects the agency’s broader mission to promote forest health, economic vitality, and environmental resilience across the state. The initiative is grant-funded and designed specifically to support private forestland owners in adopting practices that strengthen the long-term adaptability and durability of forest ecosystems in Maine. The primary purpose of the WoodsWISE Resilience Program is to improve forest resilience, defined as the ability of forest systems to withstand disturbances such as severe weather events, pest infestations, and disease outbreaks, while maintaining ecological function. The program incentivizes landowners to implement forestry practices that enhance regeneration, improve stand structure, and mitigate threats to forest health. These practices are grouped into three major categories: early stand tending, regeneration support, and forest health interventions. Funding is delivered through a reimbursement model, where landowners can request repayment for eligible expenses incurred during planning and implementation. Covered costs include forester services, planning activities, and execution of approved forestry practices. Reimbursement rates are capped based on predefined not-to-exceed rates. Underserved landowners, as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are eligible for reimbursement at a higher rate of up to 90 percent, while all other participants may receive up to 60 percent reimbursement. There is no explicit requirement for matching funds beyond the portion not reimbursed. Eligibility is limited to landowners with at least 10 acres of forested land within Maine. Eligible applicants include individuals, families, tribal governments, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and other private landowners. Participation requires collaboration with a trained Resilience Forester, and landowners must first coordinate with their District Forester to initiate a site visit and enrollment process. Foresters who wish to participate must complete a specific training program administered by the Maine Forest Service. The application process is not structured as a traditional competitive grant cycle with fixed deadlines. Instead, enrollment is ongoing during the program’s operational period, which is expected to run through December 2029. Interested landowners begin by contacting their District Forester, followed by engagement with a certified Resilience Forester to develop and implement a stewardship plan. There are no formal application forms or submission portals indicated, and participation appears to be managed through direct coordination with program staff. The program does not specify formal evaluation criteria typical of competitive grants but instead focuses on eligibility verification, site assessment, and alignment of proposed practices with program goals. There is no publicly stated award notification timeline, as reimbursements are processed after expenses are incurred and submitted. The program operates continuously within its funding window, suggesting a rolling participation model rather than discrete funding rounds. For additional information or to initiate participation, landowners may contact Nicole Rogers, Landowner Outreach Forester with the Maine Forest Service, via phone or email. The program is expected to remain active through December 2029, with no stated recurrence beyond this grant-funded period.