Eligibility
Whether you’re developing a new Forest Management Plan (FMP) or ready to implement work on the ground, here’s how to find out if you’re eligible, and how projects are prioritized for funding.
Learn if your property qualifies for cost-share funding through the North Bay Forest Improvement Program (NBFIP).
Basic Eligibility Requirements
Quickly see if your property and project are a fit for NBFIP before you apply.
Who Can Apply
- Private, non-industrial landowners in Lake, Mendocino, Napa, or Sonoma Counties
- Properties with 5 to 5000 acres of forested land
- Owner of record or written permission from the landowner
- Landowners that can pay the full project cost upfront. NBFIP provides reimbursement after the work is completed and approved.
Types of Projects
- Forest Management Plans (FMPs) – professional assessment & roadmap
- Implementation Projects – on-the-ground work: thinning, pruning, planting, shaded fuel breaks, removals
- Habitat restoration and related forest-health practices
Property Location Criteria
- Located in an eligible county (outside incorporated city limits, where applicable)
- Preference for high wildfire-risk areas and Disadvantaged/Low-Income (DAC/SDAC) communities
- Meets any site-specific requirements in program guidelines
How Projects Are Ranked
When more applications are received than available funding, NBFIP uses a points-based ranking system to determine which projects will be funded first. Each eligible project is reviewed and scored according to several factors that reflect how impactful, shovel-ready, and cost-effective it is.
Projects earn points for qualities such as:
Greater cost-share commitment (the landowner requests a lower reimbursement rate, freeing more funds for others),
Larger acreage treated or collaboration between neighboring or close-proximity properties, which increases landscape-scale impact,
Existing Forest Management Plans, which show a project is well-planned, ready to implement, and based on professional recommendations, and
Location in fire-prone or disadvantaged communities, where the work provides added social and ecological benefit.
Once each factor is scored, the points are added together to create a total ranking score. Projects with the highest total points are awarded funding first, until all program funds for that round are allocated.
This system helps NBFIP prioritize projects that offer the greatest benefit to forest health, wildfire resilience, and community safety.
Note: NBFIP’s ranking criteria may be updated pending approval of the final draft of the new scoring system.
NBFIP Ranking Criteria
Projects are ranked using the criteria below. Funding is allocated biannually to the highest-ranking projects until program allocation is reached.
| Lower Incentive Payment Rate Requested | 5 |
| Regular Incentive Payment Rate | 0 |
Area substantially damaged by wildfire (last 36 months), insects, disease, other natural causes, or significantly impacted by invasive plant species.
| Yes | 1 |
| No | 0 |
| Greater than 20 acres | 5 |
| 15.1 – 20 acres | 4 |
| 10.1 – 15 acres | 3 |
| 5.1 – 10 acres | 2 |
| 1 – 5 acres | 1 |
| Existing Forest Management Plan, NTMP, or Mini Management Plan developed by an RPF | 5 |
| Site visit/assistance from local RCD or CLERC, or Conservation Plan from NRCS or NRCS TSP | 3 |
| No planning participation | 0 |
| Project is located in a low-income and/or disadvantaged community | 1 |
| No | 0 |
| Landowner's primary residence is on the property | 1 |
| No | 0 |
Would you complete this project within 12 months without NBFIP cost share funding?
| No | 1 |
| Yes | 0 |
Includes: Native Americans or Alaska Natives, Asians, Black or African Americans, Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders, Hispanics. For legal entities or joint operations, at least 50% ownership must be held by a socially disadvantaged individual.
| Yes | 1 |
| No | 0 |
| Project is on lands managed by or for the benefit of a tribal organization or use by indigenous people | 1 |
| No | 0 |
| Completing project in coordination with neighbor | 1 |
| Sharing the same contractor with neighbor | 1 |
| No neighbor coordination | 0 |
| Project identified in a CWPP, Stewardship Plan, Regional Priority Plan, or other planning document | 1 |
| No | 0 |
| Project provides additional community benefits (e.g., neighborhood shaded fuel break, improved emergency ingress/egress) | 1 |
| No | 0 |
Maximum Total Points
Based on all criteria combined
Determining Your Eligibility
✅ Your property is in Lake, Mendocino, Napa, or Sonoma County.
✅ You own or manage 5 to 5,000 acres of forested land.
✅ Your project improves forest health or reduces fire risk.
✅ You’re prepared to work with an RCD and follow program guidelines.
✅ You’re able to cover the total cost of your project until cost-share funds are reimbursed.
Ready To Get Started?
Whether you’re planning your first project or ready to apply for funding, our team is here to help.