Healthy forests are essential for reducing wildfire risk, supporting communities, and contributing to the economy. Maintaining these landscapes requires active management across all jurisdictions, and South Dakota private forest landowners are helping achieve this goal. 

A collaborative effort between the South Dakota Family Forests Association (SDFFA) and the South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources (DANR) is leveraging established partnerships to incentivize private landowners to actively manage their forested property and to improve long-term forest resiliency. 

The IRA Forest Resiliency Grant, administered by the SDFFA, offers cost-share financial assistance to its members for essential on-the-ground forest treatments. This grant is made possible through funds received from the USDA Forest Service Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Forest Landowner Support provision.

SDFFA’s IRA Forest Resiliency Grant aims to treat at least 1,800 acres, with a focus on reaching rural and new landowners. To qualify, landowners must be SDFFA members, own at least 10 acres, and have a current Forest Stewardship Plan. 

Following the launch of the grant program, SDFFA received requests covering more than 3,000 acres within just a few weeks. To date, 46 grants have been awarded, supporting treatments across 783 acres. 

Successful applicants receive an initial visit from DANR to review and confirm the prescribed treatments as outlined in their Forest Stewardship Plan. Once approved, landowners are eligible for an 80/20 cost-share to cover forest improvement treatments, thinnings, and allowable slash treatment under state law. The primary species treated is ponderosa pine, often considered a low-value species that can be costly to manage. Supporting ponderosa pine management helps offset the high cost to landowners while improving forest health and reducing wildfire risk across the landscape. 

Prior to receiving reimbursement, DANR conducts a final inspection and certifies the completed work. DANR plays a key role throughout the process by providing technical assistance, including treatment prescriptions and mapping. 

The grant has engaged a new subset of active private forest landowners who had not previously participated in a cost-share program. By connecting small, remote landowners with forestry contractors, the program has also stimulated the local economy, creating additional business for both contractors and local mills.

This collaborative effort has increased landowner education, raised awareness of other state and federal programs available to landowners, increased SDFFA’s membership, and improved overall forest health across South Dakota.  

The volume of applications received demonstrates the high demand for this type of program. SDFFA continues to accept applications as they come in and will allocate 2027 funding to new successful applicants.

“Landowners are right there in the interface with US Forest Service lands, and what they do on their land makes a difference,” said Mary LaHood, SDFFA Executive Director. “The forest is one large entity, and what each landowners does collectively make a healthier, more resilient forest.”

To learn more, contact Mary LaHood, Executive Director and Treasurer of South Dakota Family Forests Association.