CHEYENNE — The Wyoming State Forestry Division has awarded $3.5 million in support of 22 projects as part of the 2026 Forest Health Grant Program, including three projects in Park County.

Those include Heart Mountain Fuel Break and Habitat Enhancement with The Nature Conservancy, $63,000; Rattlesnake Mountain Timber Stand Improvement, Cody Conservation District, $90,000; and Upper South Fork Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Project, Game and Fish, $103,292.

The program was introduced with the passage of House Bill 78 during the Wyoming Legislature’s 2026 budget session. WSFD quickly mobilized to create and advertise the program, form an interagency project review committee and notify applicants of their funding status by mid-June to ensure that projects that will benefit Wyoming’s forests are on the ground as soon as possible. 

Qualifying projects are those that improve forest health, reduce wildfire risk, improve water quality and yield, and enhance wildlife and livestock habitat. The committee reviewed 31 applications for more than $12.26 million. WSFD awarded $3.5 million in cost share funding to support 22 projects in 13 counties. Funded applications reported $7.45 million in provided match, meaning $10.95 million total will benefit Wyoming’s forests. Funded treatment acreage includes 7,929 federal acres, 1,139 state acres, and 8,261.3 private acres.

“Active forest management is the best tool Wyoming’s land managers have for protecting our forests from forest health threats including insects, disease, and wildfire,” said Harrison Brookes, WSFD Forest Health program manager. “Through collaboration with our partners we maximize our capacity and impact to protect our forests while improving wildlife habitat, enhancing water quality and quantity and increasing future forest production.”