This project will leverage existing partnerships and planning processes to deliver important conservation practice assistance to kansas landowners through a streamlined, state-managed forestry…

Kansas State University received a $5.0M Project Grant award dated June 13, 2025, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service under the Inflation Reduction Act Landscape Scale Restoration program (CFDA 10.731). The project delivers conservation practice assistance and cost-share support to Kansas landowners through a streamlined, state-managed forestry program. Planned conservation activities encompass approximately 1,870 total acres, including riparian forest buffer establishment (120 acres), windbreak renovation and establishment (80 acres), conservation tree planting (150 acres), invasive plant and forest stand improvement treatments (800 acres), and forest stand improvement and wildfire risk reduction (720 acres). The project will engage at least 186 landowners and is expected to continue through December 31, 2029.

The project's primary outcomes include decreased wildfire risk, improved downstream water quality, and enhanced wildlife habitat and forest health across Kansas. By leveraging existing partnerships and planning processes, Kansas State University will provide technical guidance and financial assistance to private forest landowners, with particular emphasis on supporting climate-smart forestry practices and forest resilience. This initiative aligns with the Inflation Reduction Act Landscape Scale Restoration program's focus on advancing climate mitigation and forest resilience practices on non-industrial private forest lands while building landowner capacity to participate in emerging environmental markets and conservation initiatives.

This project will leverage existing partnerships and planning processes to deliver important conservation practice assistance to kansas landowners through a streamlined, state-managed forestry cost-share assistance program. At least 1,870 total acres of conservation practices are planned, including 120 acres of riparian forest buffer establishment, 80 acres of windbreak renovation and establishment, 150 acres of conservation tree planting, 800 acres of invasive plants and forest stand improvement treatments, 720 acres of forest stand improvement and wildfire risk reduction. This work will engage at least 186 landowners and is expected to decrease wildfire risk, increase downstream water quality and benefit wildlife habitat and forest health.