MONTGOMERY, AL — The Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) is accepting applications for the 2026 Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program, which provides financial assistance to eligible non-industrial private forest landowners for preventive forest management practices.
Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.
The program is administered by the Alabama Forestry Commission through temporary grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. It is designed to help landowners reduce the risk of southern pine beetle infestations by supporting forest management practices that improve the health of pine stands.
“Periodic southern pine beetle outbreaks in Alabama have resulted in millions of cubic feet of pine timber killed on thousands of acres,” said Drew Metzler, forestry program specialist with the AFC. “The goal of this program is to minimize the risk of southern pine beetle outbreaks by assisting landowners with proactive management practices to improve forest health and lessen the susceptibility of pine stands to southern pine beetle attacks.”
The program provides cost-share assistance for commercial or non-commercial thinning of loblolly or shortleaf pine stands that meet specified eligibility requirements. Funding is limited to preventive practices and does not cover the removal of individual trees.
Eligible landowners may receive a maximum reimbursement of $10,000 through the program.
The application process begins with an online submission. AFC staff will review applications to determine eligibility and contact qualifying landowners with additional instructions.
Program guidelines, eligibility requirements and application information are available through the Alabama Forestry Commission’s website at https://forestry.alabama.gov.
Applicants should select the Landowner Assistance Application Portal, log in and choose the 2026 Alabama Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Program.
Applications can also be accessed through the commission’s submission portal at https://alabamaforestrycommission.submittable.com/submit.
Landowners approved for reimbursement must also register as vendors with the state of Alabama through the STAARS Vendor Self Service system.
The application deadline is Oct. 22 at 5 p.m.
