California Forest Improvement Program

About this program

The California Forest Improvement Program (CFIP), administered by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, provides cost-share assistance to private and public landowners to enhance forest resources, including timber production, wildlife habitat, and water quality. Funding supports activities such as forest management planning and supervision by a Registered Professional Forester, with cost-share rates of 80% or 90% based on project and land size. Eligible applicants include businesses, individuals, nonprofits, and public agencies owning 20 to 5,000 acres of California forestland, with exceptions for timber production zones. Projects are selected quarterly based on ranking, with funding dependent on the state’s annual budget allocation.