Maine Invasive Plant Control Grant Program Applications Now Open

AUGUSTA ? The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's (DACF) Maine Forest Service (MFS) is providing assistance for local governments, municipalities, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and private family woodland owners interested in obtaining Invasive Plant Control Practice Plans (IPCPP) for their woods. This new invasive plant management program is administered by the MFS and the Maine Natural Areas Program (MNAP).

Funded by a Landscape Scale Restoration Program grant from the?USDA Forest Service, financial incentives for IPCPPs are available to public and private woodland owners with ten to one thousand wooded acres in Maine. The program will reimburse up to 50% of the cost based on the number of acres. An average small woodlot may receive up to $500 maximum incentive; larger lots will have larger maximum incentive amounts. See the updated rates table below. The IPCPP provides woodland owners with maps and treatment recommendations for invasive plants.

The program's goal is to address invasive plants that choke out native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers in the eligible woodlands. A corps of natural resource professionals trained through the program's Invasive Plant Academy will be qualified to develop the IPCPPs. A list of trained plan preparers is available on the MFS Invasive Plant Management Program web page.

Landowners with approved IPCPPs will also be eligible to apply for the next phase of the program to receive free invasive plant treatment.

• Visit the MFS website for the 2023 IPCPP application.?Applications are due by 5:00 p.m., March 31st, 2023.
• Access a list of natural resource professionals eligible to develop IPCPPs.
• Visit the MFS website to learn more about the new IPCPP by or call MFS Landowner Outreach Forester Allyssa Gregory at (207) 441-2895.