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.

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.

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 http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-30301_30505_34240---,00.html

Financial assistance to support activities recommended in a Forest Stewardship Plan is available through the Forest Land Enhancement Program. This program is available to anyone who holds a Forest Stewardship Plan and has the desired activity recommended in the plan. Funding for this program will expire in September 2007, unless Congress reauthorizes it.

Tax benefits are available through the Qualified Forest Act and the Commercial Forest Act.

Other cost share programs that offer technical assistance to private landowners are listed in the table at this link.

Specific information about managing your private forest land is also available at the following links on the DNR website:

• Selling Timber?
• Wildlife Habitat Management
• Threatened and Endangered Species
• Urban and Community Forests