When most people think about managing their timber stands, they likely envision planting new seedlings, thinning overcrowded trees, or battling invasive species. Few, however, think about bats. Yet, as John Curtis of the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) explained in a recent interview, bats play a vital and often overlooked role in timber stand improvements and fostering wildlife habitat.
Through a unique conservation program that encourages landowners to create bat habitats, Curtis is helping landowners turn low-value trees into thriving ecosystems—while also improving their bottom line. “It’s a win-win,” he said. “You’re helping your timber operation by removing low-quality trees, and at the same time, you’re creating habitats for bats and other wildlife. It benefits everyone—landowners, wildlife, and the land itself.”
Here’s how this innovative approach to timber stand improvements works and why it’s worth considering for landowners across the country.
How Bats Fit Into Timber Stand Improvement
Under the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), the NRCS offers a specific enhancement, E666P, designed to promote summer roost habitats for native forest-dwelling bats. This program encourages landowners to identify and repurpose underperforming or damaged trees, transforming them into “snags” that serve as bat habitats.
“These aren’t your high-value trees,” Curtis explained. “We’re talking about trees that wouldn’t do much at the mill—maybe a damaged poplar or a water oak with low-grade lumber. Instead of cutting them down and leaving them on the loading ramp, you can use those trees to benefit wildlife.”
The process involves girdling the tree or using a hack-and-squirt method with herbicide to kill the tree while leaving it standing. Over time, the bark begins to peel, creating perfect crevices for bats to roost. This simple practice not only supports bat populations but also has broader benefits for forest ecosystems.
“By removing lesser-quality trees, you’re also opening up the stand for your higher-value timber to grow,” Curtis said. “It’s like an internal thinning process, but with the added bonus of helping wildlife.”
Why Bats Matter
Bats bring a host of benefits to timber stand management and overall forest health. They’re natural pest controllers, capable of consuming thousands of insects in a single night, which can reduce the need for chemical pesticides.
“According to the U.S. Forest Service, some bats can catch 1,000 insects an hour,” Curtis noted. “And a nursing mother bat might eat up to 4,000 insects in a single night. That’s a lot of bugs that won’t be damaging your timber or bothering you around the camp house.”

A timber harvest can result in many unmerchantable trees left at the loading deck. These trees could have been girdled and created habitat as well as income.
Beyond pest control, bats also play a role in pollination, particularly as bee populations decline. Curtis emphasized their importance as pollinators, saying, “Bats contribute to the ecosystem in ways we often overlook. They’re not just insect-eaters—they’re also helping plants regenerate and supporting biodiversity in your forest.”
Financial Incentives for Landowners
One of the most attractive aspects of the E666P enhancement is the financial assistance it provides to landowners. For Fiscal Year 2025 in Alabama, landowners can receive $243.72 per acre for implementing this practice. On a 20-acre stand, that adds up to nearly $4,900 in payments—money that can help offset the cost of other forest management activities.
“This program isn’t just about conservation—it’s also about making timber operations more profitable,” Curtis explained. “You’re getting paid to remove trees that aren’t contributing to your bottom line anyway. It’s a smart way to make the most of your land.”
Curtis also pointed out that the E666P enhancement is part of the larger CSP, which allows landowners to bundle multiple conservation practices into a single contract. “Maybe you’ve got some Japanese climbing fern or kudzu to deal with, or you want to do a prescribed burn on another stand,” he said. “The more practices you include in your application, the higher your chances of getting funded.”
A Simple Process for Getting Started
Curtis emphasized that participating in the program is straightforward. “The first step is finding your local NRCS office,” he said. “If you don’t know where it is, just Google ‘USDA Service Center,’ and you’ll find contact information for your county. We’ll walk you through the application process and help you figure out which practices are the best fit for your land.”
Once an application is submitted, Curtis and his team work with landowners to assess their property and develop a customized plan for timber stand improvements. “We like to visit the site and see what’s out there,” he said. “Maybe you’ve got a riparian area with a lot of water oaks that aren’t doing much for you. We can help you turn that into bat habitat while also improving the health of your stand.”
While most of the work—such as marking trees and applying herbicide—can be done by landowners themselves, Curtis recommended involving a professional forester for more complex projects. “If you’re new to this, a forester can be a huge help,” he said. “They can guide you on which trees to remove, ensure you’re meeting program requirements, and help you avoid mistakes.”
Broader Benefits for Wildlife and the Environment
Creating bat habitats has ripple effects that go beyond pest control and timber quality. Dead standing trees, or snags, are valuable resources for a variety of wildlife species, including woodpeckers, wrens, and even raccoons.
“When you kill a tree and leave it standing, it doesn’t just benefit bats,” Curtis said. “You’re also creating nesting sites for birds and shelter for small mammals. It’s about increasing the diversity of your forest and creating a healthier ecosystem overall.”

Bats naturally boost forest health by controlling pests—they can eat thousands of insects nightly, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
For Curtis, the success of the E666P enhancement lies in its versatility. “This is a practice that fits almost any property,” he said. “Everyone’s got a stand with some low-value trees, and this is a great way to put those trees to use while improving the overall quality of your land.”
A Success Story in the Making
Curtis shared one of his favorite examples of a landowner who embraced the program. “This gentleman took on the project with his kids,” he recalled. “They spent weekends in the woods together, measuring trees, marking them, and applying the herbicide. It became a family project—a chance to teach his children about forestry while improving their land.”
For Curtis, that story encapsulates the broader purpose of the program: helping landowners connect with their land in meaningful ways. “It’s not just about the money,” he said. “It’s about creating a legacy, something you can pass down to the next generation in better shape than you found it.”
Why You Should Consider It
If you’re a landowner looking to make timber stand improvements while supporting wildlife, the E666P enhancement is worth exploring. With financial incentives, clear environmental benefits, and straightforward implementation, it’s an opportunity that’s hard to pass up.
“Whether you’re managing land for timber, wildlife, or both, this program has something to offer,” Curtis said. “It’s about making the most of what you’ve got and leaving it better for the future.”
Ready to get started? Reach out to your local NRCS office today to learn more about the E666P enhancement and other conservation programs that can help you achieve your land management goals.