Under an agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resoures (MDNR), the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) recently awarded grants to Conservation Districts (CD) across the state to provide education and one-on-one technical assistance to private landowners and communities regarding local forest health issues. Professional foresters working out of 20 CD offices will provide coverage for 46 counties in the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan.

The purpose of the Forestry Assistance Program (FAP) is to assist Conservation Districts in their efforts to help Michigan citizens better understand, plan, manage, protect and utilize their forest resources.  Forest health issues include, but are not limited to, Emerald Ash Borer, Oak Wilt, and Beech Bark Disease.

The Forestry Assistance Program is in its third grant cycle.  Efforts will be made to secure additional funding for extensions after the end of the current grant cycle.

• FAP Forester Location Map: to locate a forester in your area.
  
• FAP Forester Directory: contact info for all MI foresters.
  
• FY 2005 Forestry Assistance Program Annual Report

• Michigan Association of Conservation Districts
  
  
• MDA Emerald Ash Borer
  
  
• Additional EAB Information
  
  
• EAB News Releases
  
  
• Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP)
  
  
• MSU Extension publication list on Forestry
  
  
• MSU Forestry Area of Expertise
  
  
• MDNR Private Lands site for forestry
  
  
• USDA-NRCS Web Soil Survey