Wildfire Mitigation Cost-share Programs in the Greater santa fe fireshed

At least two local programs exist to provide financial assistance for thinning and vegetation management to mitigate wildfire threat to private lands. Both grant programs may have waiting lists for participation.

1. The Santa Fe-Pojoaque Soil and Water Conservation District provides a wildfire mitigation cost-share program for private landowners within the Fireshed (see map on bottom left). The grant funds 80% of the cost of projects, which have no minimum nor maximum acreage. Applications are ranked for prioritization based on various characteristics. Visit the Santa Fe-Pojoaque SWCD website for more details and instructions on how to apply to the program.

2. The Forest Stewards Guild also provides a wildfire mitigation cost-share program for private landowners within a slightly larger Santa Fe Fireshed boundary (see map on bottom right). This boundary was designated as a priority landscape in the 2020 New Mexico Forest Action plan. Only properties within the boundary that have moderate to high wildfire risk are eligible for grant funding.

The Guild’s cost-share program is primarily focused on vegetation management for wildfire mitigation within 100 feet of homes and other structures, although projects to create fuel-breaks near communities or to thin along roadways to improve ingress/egress may be considered. The grant funds the cost of projects on a sliding scale up to 90% grant-funded program for low- to moderate-income landowners. While there is no upper income limit for participation, contracts will ask landowners to certify that the funded mitigation would not be undertaken without cost-share assistance. Read below for more details.

A step-by-step guide to The Forest Stewards Guild’s Cost-Share Program

Background: Where did this money come from?

In 2024, the Guild received a five-year, $1.3 million Community Wildfire Defense Grant for wildfire mitigation in the greater Santa Fe area. This is federal funding passed through New Mexico Forestry Division (a division of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department). A total of $350,000 of the grant is available to fund fuels mitigation treatments. Again, this grant can only fund vegetation management, such as thinning (and NOT home hardening actions, such as fence replacement).

How the Guild’s Wildfire Mitigation Cost-Share Program Works

To participate in the Guild’s cost-share program:

Ensure your property is within the project boundary (see map above right).
Schedule a free home hazard assessment with the Forest Stewards Guild. A professional will visit your property to assess wildfire risk and make recommendations to reduce wildfire risk to your home. Assessments generally take 30 minutes to 1 hour.
After the home assessment, email Fireshed Coordinator Maya Hilty that you’re interested in the cost-share program to sign up. There may be a waiting list up to a few months to participate in the program. In addition, the Guild will prioritize larger projects, so you are encouraged to collaborate with one or more neighbors to organize a larger mitigation project.
Once your project is at the top of the waiting list, the Guild will provide a Wildfire Mitigation Plan describing the work eligible under the cost-share program and an income eligibility form that you may fill out (optionally) to determine your eligibility for a 90% grant-funded project.
In most cases, the Guild will schedule a time to flag trees for removal.

If you do NOT qualify as low- to moderate-income:

6. In most cases (except very large projects), the landowner will select a contractor to perform the work as described and provide the quote to the Guild. The Guild has a list of recommended contractors to reach out to. Identify yourself as a cost-share participant with the Guild when reaching out to our recommended contractors to receive our predetermined rates. Landowners may choose a contractor who is not on the list, but the quote must come in under the the Guild’s internal “Do Not Exceed” rate of costs per acre in order for the grant to fund the work.

7. The Guild and landowner will sign a project agreement describing the work and costs before the work begins. Any work that occurs before an agreement is signed will NOT be eligible for reimbursement.

The landowner must also fill out an Internal Revenue Service Form W-9. Cost-share reimbursements are considered taxable income, so a completed W-9 will be required in order to receive reimbursement.

8. Once the agreement is signed, the Guild will give a notice to proceed with the work. The landowner will oversee the work.

9. Once the work is finished, the Guild will return for a post-mitigation inspection to ensure the work was completed as described. (If the work was not completed as described, the Guild will identify deficiencies to be corrected by the contractor until the work passes inspection.)

10. Once the work is certified as complete, the landowner will pay the contractor 100% of the cost and provide the Guild documentation of payment such as the carbon copy of a check.

11. The Guild will provide the landowner reimbursement. Reimbursements may take 3-6 weeks.

If you qualify as low- to moderate-income:

6. The Guild will select a vetted contractor to perform the work as described.

7. The Guild and landowner will sign a project agreement before the work begins.

8. Once the agreement is signed, the contractor may begin work. The landowner will oversee the work.

9. Once the work is finished, the Guild will return for a post-mitigation inspection to ensure the work was completed as described. (If the work was not completed as described, the Guild will identify deficiencies to be corrected by the contractor until the work passes inspection.)

10. Once the work is certified as complete, the Guild will directly pay the contractor and invoice the landowner for their 10% payment.