HOW WE SUPPORT
Private Landowners
We support private landowners throughout the Western U.S. to restore your forest after you’ve been affected by wildfire or other severe disturbances. We’ll be with you at every step, from developing a reforestation plan to navigating funding options and emerging market opportunities.
After wildfire or other damages to your forest, the path to reforestation can feel daunting. The forest you once knew may look and feel profoundly different.
Common reforestation scenarios:
- Landscapes profoundly altered by fire
- Disease and insect outbreaks resulting in widespread tree loss or declining forest health
- Extreme weather events such as drought, flooding, or wind damage that disrupt forest structure and alter typical patterns of regrowth
- Anthropogenic disturbances (including development, land-use change, or other human-caused impacts)
Rebuilding a damaged forest can feel overwhelming, with complex decisions, significant costs, large areas to manage, and long-term commitment. We’ll guide you through each step to move forward with confidence.
YOUR FOREST, Your Way
You select a forester of your choice. We cover the cost and work with them to develop a reforestation plan aligned with your goals.
ACCESS TO EXPERTS
Once your plan is in place, we connect you to funding, technical expertise, and cost-share programs to move your land toward long-term resilience.
IT’S FREE!
If your land qualifies, there is no application or upfront cost to work with us. We also help you access funding and cost-sharing programs.
EXPLORE ASSISTANCE AT EACH PHASE
Whether you face recovery from wildfire, storms, insects, disease, or human impacts, reforestation follows the same core process. Learn about the reforestation process, and how we’ll work with you at each step to reach your goals.
PHASE 2
Planning &
Finances
Learn more
PHASE 3
Procurement & Site Prep
Learn more
PHASE 4
Restoration & Stewardship
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PHASE 1
Evaluating Damage
Set Land Management Goals
When a major disturbance profoundly changes the landscape you knew, these moments also create an opportunity to re-define, adjust, or reaffirm your land management goals and vision.
When setting goals, we’ll help you consider:
- Purpose: Land management goals are as diverse as landowners themselves, including wildlife habitat, timber, aesthetics, recreation, land stewardship, restoration, and more.
- Future forests: A successfully reforested property may look and function differently, influenced by the changes on your land.
- Climate adaptation: Changing weather patterns and seasonal conditions will shape the success of your future forest. We’ll help you plan for shifting conditions by employing resilience strategies such as lower planting densities, wider spacing, or different species.
Assess the Site
After a disturbance, understanding your land’s condition is critical for safely and effectively planning for recovery. Work with a forestry professional, like American Forests, to evaluate:
- Site safety: Identify safe access points and potential hazards on land that may have changed significantly following disturbance.
- Site conditions: Assess slope and soil conditions that may post risks such as erosion, debris flows, and flooding, especially along steep slopes or in areas that receive seasonally heavy rains.
- Burn severity: If fire occurred, we can help evaluate impacts to soil and vegetation (classified as high, medium, or low burn severity) to inform recovery actions with the greatest likelihood of success.
This is also an important time to connect with local, state, and federal agencies to learn more about disaster relief and emergency programs. Find resources near you
Stabilize the Land
Your land has already experienced significant change, and early stabilization helps prevent further damage to soil, water, and downstream areas. Based on site conditions, tactics may include:
- Erosion control measures: Seed native grasses and forbs, apply mulch, and contour-fell dead trees to slow water movement and rebuild soil behind downed trees.
- Stabilization structures: Install one-rock dams, debris racks, and debris flow barriers to capture runoff and replenish groundwater.
- Safety actions: Remove hazard trees to ensure safe access and long-term safety for project work.
- Coordination & permitting: Work with a consulting forester, such as American Forests, to coordinate with agencies and meet permitting requirements.
- Funding & assistance: Disaster relief programs often provide technical and financial support for stabilization efforts.
PHASE 2
Planning & Finances
Create a Reforestation Plan
Restoring your forest after a major disturbance can feel daunting. A clear strategy sets the foundation for successful recovery. If your property is eligible, we’ll cover the cost to develop a reforestation plan that meets your goals. You choose the forester, we pay them directly.
- Recovery timeframes: Not every site is ready for immediate planting. Most landscapes need to recover for replanting to be successful. Seedling availability can also affect project timelines.
- Priority areas: Focus efforts where they matter most to maximize ecological and cultural benefits and use resources efficiently.
- Species selection: Choose the right species mix to ensure survival and resilience under current and future conditions.
- Planting density: Apply proper spacing to balance growth, competition, and resource use and support health over time.
- Seedling stock type and seed zones: Match seed origin and stock type (e.g., container-grown or bare-root seedlings) to local conditions to improve establishment success and growth while balancing costs.
Plan for Costs
Reforestation can be a significant financial and logistical undertaking. Costs vary widely depending on location, site conditions, and contractor availability, but there are ways we can help you manage them:
- Get multiple bids: Compare bids at each phase of your project, from erosion control and site preparation to planting and long-term management.
- Pool resources: Larger projects often reduce per-acre costs. Coordinate with neighboring landowners to share contractors and equipment.
- Use cost-sharing programs: Work with available disaster relief and cost-share programs. Early planning is key, as many programs have deadlines and eligibility requirements.
PHASE 3
Procurement & Site Prep
Prepare Site for Planting
Every seedling you plant is both a financial and ecological investment. Careful site preparation ensures they survive and thrive. We’ll help connect you with a forester to set your project up for success:
- Site characterization: Site preparation tactics should be tailored based on location, burn severity, slope, and aspect to improve seedling establishment and balance costs.
- Vegetation management: Competing vegetation should be controlled while plants that stabilize soil and create beneficial micro-sites should be retained to boost seedling survival.
- Standing dead timber (snags): While beneficial to wildlife, snags can pose hazards. A professional forester can determine if salvage logging is appropriate and whether it affects your eligibility for financial assistance.
- Permitting and compliance: It is important at this stage to coordinate with state and local agencies to identify required permits and ensure your project meets regulatory requirements.
Procure Supplies and Contracts
Securing the right seedlings and contractors is key for success—and timing matters. We help you make informed investments and find the best quality resources:
- Seedling quantity: Work with a forester to procure seedlings based on a reforestation strategy tailored for your land, including determinations for planting density (seedlings per acre), species composition, and stock type.
- Seedling quality: Work with a forester to source seedlings from the right seed zones. This ensures they’re adapted to your local climate, elevation, and conditions, improving survival and growth. Order in advance for the best selection. We can help you navigate state seed zone maps, elevation bands, and regional guidelines.
- Planting contractors: Experienced contractors will ensure seedlings are planted correctly and at the right time of year. Availability can be limited after large disturbances, so early planning is key. We can help match the right contractors to your project.
PHASE 4
Restoration & Stewardship
Implement a Planting
Planting day is a major milestone. You’ve already made a significant investment, and careful execution is key to setting your land up for long-term success.
- Storage and handling: Seedlings are living plants. Keep them cool and moist (typically 34–36°F and 90–95% humidity), protect them from wind and sun, and plant as soon as possible. Plan for refrigerated transport and storage as needed, especially during warm or extended planting periods.
- Planting conditions: Plant when soil moisture and weather are favorable, typically in fall or spring, depending on your region.
- Microsite selection: Improve seedling survival by planting in shaded areas, north-facing slopes, or spots protected by logs, stumps, or vegetation that retain moisture and moderate temperature.
- Quality control: Give your reforestation effort the strongest possible start by having a consulting forester on-site to ensure proper planting depth, root placement, and microsite selection and to correct issues in real time.
Monitor & Adapt
Your dedication to restoring your forest connects you with a community of landowners bringing forests back to health. As your forest grows and changes, monitoring progress helps it thrive. We’re here to help you make sense of changes and guide long-term management decisions.
- Spot issues early: Track survival and growth. Manage competing vegetation. Detect early signs of wildlife browsing and other animal damage, pests, disease, or site stress. Early detection enables timely, cost-effective corrective action.
- Document and learn: Your forest will change over time, and some species may do better than others. Keep notes on successes and challenges to refine your plan and guide future projects.
- Adapt management strategies: Use what you learn to make informed decisions such as thinning, harvesting, supplemental planting, or other actions that will help your forest reach its full potential.
EXPLORE RESOURCES
Local support at your fingertips.
Experts and programs
near you
Localized reforestation guidance
Funding and
cost-sharing
opportunities
Connections to events and conferences
Talk to an American Forests Expert
Not sure where to start? You don’t have to figure out reforestation on your own. We’ll work with you to connect you to the right resources — free of charge.