Reimbursing treatment framework by landowners and monitoring efforts necessary for implementation

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service R9-Eastern Region awarded $10 million to Conservation & Forestry, Maine Department of Agriculture on May 5, 2026 under the Forest Health Protection program (CFDA 10.680) to reimburse treatment frameworks and fund monitoring efforts necessary for early intervention against spruce budworm. The funding supports landowner treatment activities across Maine, with eligible areas identified through modeling of overwintering spruce budworm larvae populations. Land managers will use this data to assess treatment efficacy and support decision-making to pinpoint target areas for the early intervention strategy. Performance extends through March 26, 2030.

Areas eligible for treatment will be initially identified based on modeling of overwintering populations of spruce budworm larvae. This data will be used by land managers to assess treatment efficacy and support decision making to pinpoint target areas for implementation of the early intervention strategy.