Reforestation
Delaware has lost 70 percent of its original forest cover due to agriculture, urban and commercial development. Much of the remaining forest habitat exists in an isolated and degraded state and is unable to support species dependant on large contiguous tracts of forest habitat. To address this loss, Delaware’s Landowner Incentive Program (DELIP) provides assistance to private landowners interested in restoring or enhancing forest habitat for wildlife.
Restoration efforts will include reforestation of marginal farmland to native forest stands and/or riparian forest buffers. Reforestation will focus on connecting small forest blocks, thus increasing habitat for species currently limited by habitat size and connection. Reforestation improves water quality for stream-dwelling species such as the Mottled Sculpin and Dwarf Wedgemussel within riparian corridors by filtering excess nutrients and sediments and lowering the temperature of stream habitats.
What areas are ideal for reforestation? 
Agricultural fields and/or pastures, field edges (buffer), along existing streams and drainage ditches and cutovers.
Financial Assistance for Reforestation
- 74 percent cost-share
- A flat rate of $296.00/acre to establish native hardwoods, softwoods and shrubs
The flat rate includes all installation and material costs including seedlings and planting. If plantings are established on agricultural lands the landowner will receive a rental payment for the loss of agricultural income. The rental payment will be made annually, in the fall of each year. In return the landowner will be required to manage their early successional habitat for a period of five or ten years. This may include invasive species control mowing where necessary after nesting season.
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Selective Thinning to Directly Benefit Species-at-risk
The Delaware Landowner Incentive Program uses selective thinning to enhance the habitat of species-at-risk like the Delmarva Fox Squirrel, Bog Turtle, and rare plants species. It is important in areas where the desired outcome is older stands of trees with a clear understory. It is also done to allow more sunlight to reach the floor of the forest and allows for more desirable plant and tree species to grow, like mast-producing oaks for the Delmarva Fox Squirrel.
Selective thinning is done by removing or girdling selected trees. Thinned material will be left on the ground and/or stacked (brush pile) creating habitat for wildlife and can in no way be sold for profit. In wetland habitats the stumps must remain so the wetland is not disturbed. Girdled trees will die but remain standing and available for use by other wildlife.
Financial Assistance for Selective Thinning
- 74 percent cost-share
- A flat rate of $146.52/acre for selective thinning as it relates directly to wildlife habitat and not timber stand improvement
