Setting Goals for Forested Land
Minnesota has long been famed for its quirky Scandinavian traditions and extreme cold temperatures. It’s the nature of our northern state to be rich with fringe culture and climate, known for its many extraordinary features. From the beautiful shorelines and rugged cliffs of the North Shore, the giant Lost 40 pine forest of Itasca County, the thundering of the stunning High Falls near Grand Portage, the haunting call of the majestic Loon or the howl of a stealthy Timber Wolf, and everything in between. These features make our state a most wondrous and desirable place to live and play in. And, according to the statistics, a huge amount of Minnesota’s beautiful acreage is held by private parties – families.
We own Minnesotan land! And most residents here feel deeply passionate about their place in its heritage. Whether you just purchased a “forty” for hunting, or your land has been in your family for generations, we all know that the land will one day belong to someone else. And thus, it is on our minds how the future of Minnesota’s forests will be sustained, and what we can do to leave a legacy of responsible forest stewardship. So, we ask questions.
How will my family use my property in the future?
How do I preserve the land I hunt on?
How can I make a positive environmental impact?
You can answer these questions by developing Woodland Management Goals – a detailed list of what is important to you, the landowner. Studies have shown that setting goals and writing them down is key to accomplishing what your heart desires. But setting goals for your wooded property is more than just a simple list. It’s more than just acquiring a Stewardship Plan and getting reduced property taxes and incentive payments at the end of every year. At Itasca Woodland Services we know it’s about much more than that. We want to give you a moment to take in the intricacy of the environment behind the beauty and splendor of your woodland, to dream of what you desire for the outcome of its trees, plants, animals, and unique features -- and then we listen.
We listen as you begin to design your goals – not as a list, but as the backbone of your desire to create something meaningful on your land. To enjoy Minnesota’s grandeur. To create a legacy for your family. To give back. To enhance. To sustain.
How Do I Set Goals?
Landowner goals are at the heart of everything we do. Here we have provided a list of the questions you can ask yourself when forming your management goals.
Ownership
How long do I expect to own my property?
Why do I own my property?
How do I currently use my land?
Will I want to use my land differently in the future?
Do I want to leave my property to someone as an inheritance?
Doing the Work
Do I want to and am I able to work on my land myself?
Do I want to look at hiring out work to be done?
Do I have the equipment I need for working on my land?
Am I committed to ensuring the work is done?
Condition of Property
Are the trees and plants on my land healthy?
Are there any damages to the features on my property?
Are there undesirable invasive species present?
Is there a special area of my property I care about?
Is the wildlife I care about able to thrive in the habitats on my property?
Are there certain types of plants or trees I want to protect or promote?
Wildlife
What types of wildlife do I enjoy or care about?
Do I want to be able to hunt on my property?
Do I like to bird watch?
Is there a certain kind of animal I want to attract to my property?
Do my current wildlife habitats provide enough food and shelter?
Recreational
Do I want to use trails on my property to walk, hike, ski, snowshoe, snowmobile, or ATV on?
Do I want to improve the existing trails and roads on my land?
Do I want to be able to have family activities on my land?
Are there any activities I want to prohibit on my property?
Timber
Do I want to maintain or improve the health of my forested land?
Am I willing to harvest trees to improve forest health or for wildlife habitat improvement?
Am I interested in maximizing timber production to generate income for myself or my descendants?
Are there some aspects about timber harvesting that seem daunting or concerning to me?
Asking these questions will help you find what is important to you about your land and your desire for the future of its condition. Answering them will help guide you to a place of better understanding of both yourself and your land, and why you love it.
At Itasca Woodland Services, we listen. Everything we do and every service we offer is based on your goals. And yes, we can write your Stewardship Plan and save you money by qualifying you for reduced taxes or profitable incentive payments. But we know it’s about more than paperwork and the bottom line. It’s about building a sustainable legacy for your land – caring about the water, the forests, the wildlife - and the people who will enjoy it both now and in the future.
Written by Marissa Berguson.
