The Growing and Protecting Forests Cost-Share Program (GAP) provides Virginia forest landowners with financial assistance to conduct forest management practices recommended by a forestry professional to improve the forest resource for the landowner and the Commonwealth. GAP cost share targets pine stands and some mixed pine-hardwood stands for improvement. The forest improvement can be designed to increase growth rate, increase carbon sequestration, improve forest health or improve wildlife habitat.
What Qualifies
Cost share is available starting at 5 acres of forestland up to a maximum of 100 acres per tract, per year and up to 100 acres per landowner per year. Cost share is 70% of the total project cost, not to exceed the per acre rate for each practice (see FT0077 in Additional Resources below for current rates). Invasive plant control may be cost-shared on as little as 1 acre, although the tract must contain at least 5 acres of forest.
This cost share cannot be combined with another cost share to complete the same practice on the same acre. Practices must be completed by May 31 so they can be verified and payments processed before the end of Virginia’s fiscal year June 30.
Who is Eligible
Private non-industrial forest landowners may apply, including individuals, corporations, limited liability corporations (LLCs), non-profit organizations and local governments. Landowners who also own primary wood processing facilities are not eligible.
Before applying, landowners must meet with a forestry professional, either from the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) or a trained consulting forester to establish objectives, conduct a site assessment and create a management plan that includes recommendations for eligible management practices.
Get Started
Interested landowners should contact DOF or a professional consulting forester for management recommendations. If recommended practices are eligible for incentives, assistance with the application process can also be provided.
To Apply
To get started, consult your local DOF forester.
Additional Resources
| Image | Title | ID | Description | Date | Content Type | View | hf:tax:document-category | hf:tax:Media |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Growing and Protecting Forests Cost-Share Program | FT0077 | Forestry topic sheet details the Department of Forestry’s Growing and Protecting Forests (GAP) Cost-Share Program including eligibility, covered management activities and rates. | 04/13/2026 | Publication | View | forest-management | publication |
Contact Us
DOF foresters can assist you with your forestland, contact your local DOF forester.
For more information or questions, e-mail us or use our contact form.