The Illinois Forestry Development Act, also administered by the Division of Forest Resources, is one of the few state programs that offers cash incentives for management practices beneficial to wildlife. In addition to direct cash incentives, enrolled acreage is eligible for a reduced property tax rate. A major advantage of the program is that its benefits can be combined with incentives from other cost-share programs to further reduce the cost of implementing management practices. Under the Forestry Development Act, one of the landowner's primary goals must be timber production. To be eligible, the landowner must have an approved forest management plan and own a minimum of five acres of forestland.
Participants can enroll in the program through their nearest district forester.
Our program provides no direct cost-share payment. What we offer is free technical assistance, which can be worth a lot. Private Lands biologists also can provide access to specialized equipment landowners may need to implement Forest Development management practices such as tree planters, root plows and special seed drills for warm season grasses. The Conservation Department's Division of Natural Heritage administers two programs to help landowners preserve natural areas, including those that provide habitat for non-game wildlife species. The Natural Heritage Landmark Program, a joint program of the Conservation Department and Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, recognizes landowners who voluntarily protect natural areas or the habitats of endangered or threatened species on their properties.