Become a woodland steward by actively managing your land for personal benefits, while protecting the quality of its natural resources (soil, water, wildlife, trees and other plants) for future generations. Your woodland contains a wide variety of plants and animals; your management decisions affect this environment for decades to come. A woodland stewardship plan helps you choose wisely.

This plan describes your land ownership goals, your natural resources, and recommends management possibilities. These ideas might include planting trees, fencing, installing wildlife nest boxes, clearing access trails, harvesting timber, maintaining firebreaks, thinning a dense stand of trees, protecting a unique natural resource, or other alternatives.

WHO WRITES THE PLAN?

Together you and a natural resource manager prepare your plan. You'll specify land ownership goals and assess time and money available. Your natural resource manager then inventories and evaluates your woodland resources and proposes management ideas to meet your goals.

Begin your plan by contacting a natural resource manager through an office of the Department of Natural Resources, Soil and Water Conservation District, Minnesota Extension Service, forest industry, or forestry consultant. In addition to a forester, a wildlife manager, recreation specialist or soil conservationist could be involved in your woodland evaluation. Mail us the attached application and we'll recommend a natural resource manager to meet your needs.

PUT YOUR PLAN TO WORK

After choosing your desired management activities, you may need further technical or financial assistance to put them into action. Your natural resource manager can help you order trees to plant, mark trail routes, select trees to harvest, suggest appropriate contractors, or point out educational materials and programs that will increase your understanding of woodland stewardship. Ask your natural resource manager for information on cost-share programs that may pay up to 75 percent of the cost for some management activities, including planning assistance. Some landowners also may qualify for special property tax categories with lower tax rates.

PLAN ON IT!

Contact a natural resource manager today. Your woodland is waiting.

Produced for the Minnesota Forest Stewardship Program by the Minnesota Extension Service-Forest Resources, University of Minnesota, 1530 N. Cleveland Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108.

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is available to all individuals regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. Discrimination inquiries should be sent to MN-DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4031 or the Equal Opportunity Office, Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240.