Framework / Assessment California Forests and Rangelands: Proposed Indicators Summary State and federal landowner assistance programs provide incentives for landowners to manage their timberland properties. The principal assistance programs affecting forest landowners are the California Forest Improvement Program, Vegetation Management Program and NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives program. Funding levels and project priorities vary among these programs. New assistance programs may emerge in the next few years that can provide benefits to forest landowners.