Forest Stewardship Management Plans

The Forest Stewardship Program is administered by the USDA Forest Service and provides funding to state forestry agencies for the purpose of assisting non-industrial private forest landowners in development of management plans.

One of the great advantages of having a Forest Stewardship Management Plan written is the federal government pays 50% of the total cost of writting the plan. By having a forest stewardship plan in place it makes you eligible for cost share monies from federal, and state assistance programs. Some examples of cost share include: tree planting, wildlife food plot construction, native shrubs, and reestablishment of native grasses.

Forest Stewardship plans are developed to aid landowners in meeting goals and objectives for their property. Plans provide a comprehensive resource evaluation of the land and the relationship to the surrounding landscape. Plans are designed to address several key aspects of the environment, including forestry, wetlands, soil erosion, wildlife and fisheries.

 What is included in a Forest Stewardship Plan?
The Forest Stewardship Plan is a very detailed plan, including the following:
• Landowner Objectives and Goals
• General Property Description and Location
• Land History and Past Land Use
• Current Land Use
• Current Land Conditions with Detailed Descriptions of:
o Hydrology and Wetlands
o Wildlife
o Soils
o Trail/Roads
o Vegetation (trees and ground flora)
• Management Options
o Timber Sales
o TSI (Timber Stand Improvement)
o Food Plot
o Tree Planting
o Road Layout
• Schedule for Management Options
• Detailed Maps Displaying the Following:
o Property Boundaries
o Forest Stands
o Streams and Lakes
o Roads and Trails
o Soils
o Other Important Features

Download  Michigan Forest Stewardship Assessment click here

Download Application Eligibility and Invoice click here

 For more information on the Forest Stewardship Program click here