Michigan is home to almost 19 million acres of forest land, and almost 65 percent of that is privately owned. Non industrial private forest owners own 8.4 million acres of forest in Michigan. Non-industrial private owners are diverse; ranging from farmer's woodlots, to ten acre woods attached to a home site, to large hunting clubs, to owner's of forests that live far from the land. Michigan forests provide timber products; forest products like nuts, mushrooms and wildflowers; wildlife habitat; reservoir of rare or endangered species; cleaner air through carbon sequestration; cleaner water and flood control; and incredible scenic beauty. Forest Stewardship is the act of caring for a forest so that it sustains health, vigor, and ecosystem function for the future.

The Forest Stewardship Program in Michigan provides assistance to Private Forest Owners and Citizens for having comprehensive forest management plans prepares, for Outreach and Education projects related to sustainable forest management, and supports projects that will benefit private forest owners, such as the Working Forest Carbon Trading project. This program is funded through a grant from the USDA Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, under Part 501 of Act 451, P.A. 1994, as amended and the US Cooperative Forestry Assistance Acto of 1978, CFDA 10.664. A Forest Stewardship Advisory Committeemeets quarterly to advise the Michigan DNR regarding program priorities for these funds.

Why Get A Forest Stewardship Plan?

Private owners do not always have the easy access to knowledge and assistance so several programs were developed to assist them in making management plans and subsequently implementing sustainable forest management actions. Information included in a forest stewardship plan will include unbiased information about the trees and vegetation currently growing on the land, potential forest stands that could be grown on the land, soils present and their qualities, wildlife habitat quality, any threatened and endangered species -any invasive species-or insect/diseases noticed, and management recommendations that will help the landowner meet their objectives for owning the land and keep the resource sustainable. Forest stewardship plans are written by professional foresters or certified natural resource professionals, as well as reviewed by a DNR Service Forester, to ensure that the information and recommendations made are sound.

How to Get A Forest Stewardship Plan Prepared

The DNR offers technical assistance to private forest owners through the Forest Stewardship Program. This program provides cost share assistance for the purpose of having a Forest Stewardship plan written. Links to information about the Forest Stewardship Program as well as contact information for a DNR Service Forester and finding a certified plan writer may be found at www.michigan.gov

Plan Writer Information

• Find a Certified Plan Writer.
• Plan Writing and Monitoring Grants and Forms
• Outreach and Education Grant Program and Forms

Private Forest Links

Cost Share Programs - Federal Assistance Programs for Non-industrial Private Landowners

Wildlife Habitat Management

Threatened and Endangered Species

For more information on the Forest Stewardship program, email Debra Huff, Forest Stewardship Coordinator, huffd@michgan.gov