COLLEGE STATION, Texas—Texas A&M Forest Service is awarding $8.25 million through the Texas Climate-Smart Initiative, a financial incentives program to fund non-industrial, private, small-acreage landowners. The five-year project, led by Texas A&M AgriLife Research and funded by the USDA’s Partnership for Climate-Smart Commodities grant, will provide financial incentives to agricultural commodities across Texas.

The Texas Climate-Smart Initiative program incentivizes farming practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon beyond normal practices. Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide, and the Texas Climate-Smart initiative aims to maximize this carbon capture potential while simultaneously producing high-quality fiber for the timber industry.

“We are excited for the opportunity to help Texas forest landowners achieve their carbon-focused forestry goals while improving the overall health and vigor of their trees through this financial incentives program,” said Michelle Moore, Texas A&M Forest Service Staff Forester.

Landowners interested in conducting science-based, carbon-focused forest management practices may apply for funds for one of five categories available through the Texas Climate-Smart Initiative for forestry practices including stand establishment, forest fertilization, herbicide application, prescribed burning and forest thinning.

“Purposeful, prudent and proactive forest management is essential to maintaining the environmental sustainability of our forests while also securing landowners’ generational investments in their forests,” said Moore. “This program is expanding the accessibility of climate-smart practices to many Texans – especially those that are at an “economy of scale” disadvantage in traditional markets.”

For more information on the Texas Climate-Smart Initiative application process, frequently asked questions, newsletter signup and more, visit tfsweb.tamu.edu/climatesmart.aspx.

For more information on grants provided by Texas A&M Forest Service and partners, visit https://texasforestinfo.tamu.edu/fundingconnector/.