Connecticut Technical Service Provider Recruitment and Retention Program
Are you licensed to practice forestry in Connecticut? Are you currently a Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Technical Service Provider, or interested in becoming one? Enroll in the NRCS Technical Service Provider Recruitment and Retention (NRCS TSP R2) Program.
Join the TSP R2 Program and Get Paid for Your Time!
The DEEP Forestry Division is excited to partner with the CT NRCS and the Connecticut Council on Soil and Water Conservation (CT CSWC) to pay foresters for their time to become a TSP or retain their status as a TSP. This professional development opportunity is open to certified Foresters who are licensed to practice Forestry in Connecticut.
What Is a Technical Service Provider (TSP)?
A TSP works with a woodland owner to offer planning assistance in the development of a Forest Management Plan to NRCS specifications and can also offer design and implementation services to the woodland owner. Most of the forest management conducted on private lands in Connecticut is cost shared through NRCS’ Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), both of which require a current forest management plan. To receive NRCS cost share financial assistance for the development of a forest management plan in Connecticut, a private woodland owner must hire and work with a TSP.
There is an increasing need for TSPs to meet the demand for cost-shared planning and forest practice implementation statewide. This is a unique opportunity for Connecticut-licensed Forest Practitioners to get paid for their time to become a TSP or retain existing TSP status.
Who Can Enroll?
This program is offered to Connecticut-licensed Forest Practitioners who are not currently NRCS TSPs and to those who would like to retain their NRCS TSP status.
How It Works:
Participating Foresters will be paid for their time to complete a series of NRCS-developed trainings. After completing the trainings, participating foresters may also be paid a flat rate to independently develop and submit a forest management plan to NRCS for review and approval. Foresters will receive payments incrementally throughout the Program, based on the requirements that they complete. Foresters will also have the option to be paid for their time to participate in additional professional development opportunities sponsored by this Program.
Requirements and Compensation:
In-person trainings will be offered annually in November and January. Requirements are based on the practitioner's TSP status at the time of enrollment.
Requirements for TSP Recruits: 16 hours of in-person training compensated at $115 per training hour. In addition to achieve TSP status, participants must submit a forest management plan for review and approval by NRCS. Following NRCS approval, this forest management plan will be compensated at a fixed rate of $2,500.
Requirements to Retain TSP Status: 6 hours of in-person training compensated at $115/hour.
Participants must sign an agreement in order to participate and receive compensation. Payment will be received upon completion of each training and upon NRCS approval of a forest management plan and acceptance as a TSP. Additional details and information on requirements and payment will be provided during the Program Introduction training and through direct communication with CT CSWC, who is managing program logistics and payment.
How Do I Join?
The TSP R2 program will be offered from November 2025 to January 2028. A link to training dates and registration information will be posted on this webpage when available. Registration tentatively opens in August 2025.
TSP R2 Program Contact Information
Program Logistics, Registration and Payment:
Lilian Ruiz, Executive Director
CT Council on Soil and Water Conservation
ctcouncilswc@gmail.com
Program Coordination:
Andrea Urbano, Supervising Forester Private and Municipal Lands Program
CT DEEP Forestry Division
Andrea.Urbano@ct.gov
Program Content Provider:
Todd Bobowick, State Forester/State Biologist
CT USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Todd.Bobowick@usda.gov
Funding for this Program is provided by the U.S.D.A Forest Service through the Forest Stewardship Program, and under the Inflation Reduction Act: Preparing to Serve the Underserved, as administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Division of Forestry.
Content last updated July 2025.