What is a TSP?
A TSP, or Technical Service Provider, is an individual or organization that the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) has preapproved to implement a conservation activity on behalf of landowners who receive cost-share awards. NRCS certifies TSPs to perform specified practices based on their education and background. TSPs are trained in NRCS’s nine-step conservation planning process. They understand how to evaluate resource concerns, document existing conditions, and develop plans and prescriptions that meet NRCS standards and specifications. Click here to view NRCS’s “Find A TSP” webpage.
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is perhaps the most-used NRCS cost-share program in our region of northwest Washington State. EQIP provides financial assistance to landowners who want to address resource concerns such as forest health, wildfire risk, fish and wildlife habitat, and soil erosion.
EQIP awards are typically announced in the spring. Once funded, landowners may hire a TSP to complete the approved Conservation Planning Activity (CPA). Payment for the planning work is often made directly through NRCS as part of the EQIP contract.
Griffin Forestry is currently TSP-certified to complete Conservation Planning Activity 106: Forest Management Plan. If you are awarded funding for a forest management plan, we can:
- Conduct a site visit and stand assessment
- Identify resource concerns and management objectives
- Develop stand-level prescriptions aligned with NRCS standards
- Deliver a plan that supports both regulatory compliance and long-term stewardship
A properly written forest management plan is more than a requirement for cost-share reimbursement. It becomes your roadmap for the next 10–20 years. It supports wildfire resilience, improves forest health, and positions your property for future funding opportunities. If you’re considering applying for EQIP—or if you’ve already been awarded funding for a forest management plan—reach out. We can help you move from award letter to completed plan.
