Guest contribution by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Jackson & Josephine Counties (September 2014)

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Jackson and Josephine County has technical and financial assistance available for landowners on private non-industrial forestlands. They are accepting applications for the  Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for forest health and fuels reduction projects in the Applegate and Seven Basins Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) areas. Cost-share is available for eligible practices including thinning, pruning, and slash treatments. Program incentives are also available for development of a Forest Management Plan. Priority will be given to applications within the Pleasant Creek, Foots Creek, Wards Creek, and Lower Evans Creek Watersheds in the Seven Basin’s CWPP, and Thompson Creek in the Applegate CWPP. If you have questions regarding the program or the location of your property, or would like to apply, please contact:

Erin Kurtz, District Conservationist, Central Point, OR erin.kurtz@or.usda.gov  (541) 664-1070 ext. 408 or

Peter Winnick, Soil Conservationist, Central Point, OR peter.winnick@or.usda.gov (541) 664-1070 ext. 409

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Also, assistance may be available from the Oregon Department of Forestry for development of Forest Stewardship plans.  Contact Lee Winslow, ODF Stewardship Forester, (541) 664-3328.