Forest stewardship program

Program Purpose: To provide technical advice and long range forest management planning to interested landowners. All aspects of the program are voluntary. Plans are designed to meet landowner goals while maintaining the sustainability of the land. The entire property except active farming areas, is covered by the plan.

Forest Stewardship Plan: Woodland Planning is the initial activity to help you and your forester better understand your forestlands and what you want to accomplish with those lands. Your forest stewardship plan may be providied by a DNR forester, consulting firm, industry forester, environmental organization, or Soil and Water Conservation District forester. To locate an approved stewardship plan preparer visit the University of Minnesota Sustainable Forestry Education Cooperative.

Who May Apply: Private forest landowners including corporations whose stocks are not publicly traded and own between 20 - 1,000 acres of land. At least 20 acres of the land must have or will have trees.

Why Apply: Upon registration of your stewardship plan, you will be eligible for

1. Professional forest management assistance from a forester who can, through a forest stewardship plan and recommended forest management activties, help you meet your forest management goals.
2. For the state's cost share program to help defer the costs of implementation of forest management activities,
3. To enroll your forested lands into the Sustainable Forestry Incentive Act or 2c Managed Forest Land property tax relieve programs, and
4. To receive periodic forest management information mailings from the MN DNR.

General Information: The DNR has provided voluntary planning advice since 1947. While still based on the landowner goals, this program has expanded to include all aspects of the ecosystem as well. This program is authorized by MN Laws 88.79, and U.S. Public Law Chapter 101 (1990 Farm Bill). Check the US Forest Service- Forest Stewardship Program Web site for more information.

How to Apply: Contact your area DNR forester.

Or you may contact:
Andrew Arends,
Cooperative Forest Management Supervisor, DNR Forestry
500 Lafayette Road, Box 44
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: (651) 259-5261
Fax: (651) 296-5954