Woodland Stewardship Plans Explained
What exactly is a Woodland Stewardship Plan?
A Woodland Stewardship Plan is a document that describes your personal goals that you have for the future condition of your woodlands, outlines the resources found on your property, and then recommends management options such as:
Enhancing habitat for wildlife
Maintaining ecological diversity
Planting trees
Building trails
Pruning high-value trees
Harvesting timber
Having a Woodland Stewardship Plan allows you to change your property's tax classification to Managed Woodland, which reduces your taxes up to 35%. The plan can also qualify you for the Sustainable Forest Incentive Act (SFIA), which will pay you per acre in the form of a tax rebate every year. As a landowner, you may choose one of the programs, but not both.
Do I qualify?
If you own at least 20 acres of wooded land, you qualify for a plan. Corporations whose stocks are not publicly traded also qualify.
Why would someone want a Woodland Stewardship Plan?
Have you ever wondered exactly how the many unique features and habitats found in your woods function or how they could be managed for maximum benefits to you and the wildlife? Whether you crave trails for cross-country skiing, more habitat for birds or deer, products from pine thinnings, or want to save money by reducing your property taxes, a Woodland Stewardship Plan is definitely for you. It's all about your goals for your woods.
How do I get one?
A natural resource professional who has been qualified to write Stewardship Plans will conduct a field inventory, assess specific land factors, and do other work to complete your plan with input from you. You’ll specify land ownership goals. Our professional foresters are the Northland area's premier Certified Stewardship Plan writers available to complete these tasks for you.
Written by Stan Grossman and Marissa Berguson.
