Landowner Resources
The Family Forest Research Center, a partnership of the Forest Service, says that whether you have “just trees” that shelter native plants and animals, a bit of “woods” behind your house where the kids play and you cut firewood, or a “tree farm” that earns your family income, you are a forest landowner. If you have an acre or more of land with trees on at least 10 percent of it, you have a forest.
As a forest landowner, you are a part of a group that controls more forest and woodland than any other group. It is estimated that 10.6 million families, individuals, trusts, and estates own 38% of the forests and woodlands in the U.S. In addition to the enjoyment and benefits you receive from your land, it also provides many other benefits including clean air and water, wildlife habitat, wood products and support for local, rural economies. The Forest Service, in partnership with State Forestry Agencies, offers a variety of programs and tools for landowners.
What landowner assistance programs and resources are available in your state?
Alabama Forestry Commission assists landowners in managing their forests by helping landowners understand forest stewardship concepts of sustainable forest management. All recommended forest management plans and advice are offered at no cost and follow the National Stewardship Program. If you would like a resource professional to visit your property or if you would like to nominate an Alabama Forest landowner for the National Stewardship Program just complete and submit the online application. You can also contact a local AFC Office.
Between Alaska Native Corporations and individual private landowners, more than 35 million acres of Alaska’s forested land is privately owned. The Forest Stewardship Program at the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection can help private landowners address forest management goals for their properties, including forest health and wildfire fuels reduction. Reach out to your local Stewardship Forester to start the conversation.
American Samoa Community College Division of Agriculture, Community and Natural Resources assists landowners through the Forest Stewardship Program. Interested landowners are encouraged to contact the Forest Stewardship Program Coordinator Simon Stowers (s.stowers@amsamoa.edu or 684-699-1575).
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture - Forestry Division administers the Forest Stewardship Program and provides landowners with ten acres or more of forest many benefits including a management plan at no cost to the landowners. Interested landowners can fill out a Stewardship Program application or contact your nearest Forestry Division Crew (map or by county).
The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management Division of Forestry assists landowners through the Forest Stewardship Program. Division of Forestry personnel also provide technical assistance with reforestation and tree nurseries. Landowners are assisted with species selection and tree seedling procurement, as well as site preparation, planting, care, and maintenance. To learn more, contact the office nearest you.
The California Forest Stewardship Program was created to encourage good stewardship of California's private forestland. The program provides technical information and assistance to landowners to promote sound forest management and assists communities in solving forest-related issues. To learn more, contact the Forestry Assistance Specialist for your county.
The Private Landowner Work Group of the California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force was created to address a common framework and shared goals to expand forest management across non-industrial private forestlands and to support private landowners access to technical and financial assistance.
The Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) has programs for landowners including the Forest Stewardship Program. Landowners can reach out to their local CSFS Field offices to learn more.
The Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales administers the Forest Stewardship Program for Puerto Rico. Their FSP brochure includes contact information for the Ofincinas Regionales.
The Forestry Division within the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection provides technical assistance and service forestry support to landowners. Landowners can learn about the Connecticut’s Service Forestry Program and contact the service forester for their area.
The Delaware Forest Service, within the Department of Agriculture, administers the Forest Stewardship Program to landowners within Delaware. The program provides landowners with a plan to help them sustainably manage their land. Interested landowners can reach out to a service forester in their area.
The Florida Forest Service, within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, administers the Forest Stewardship Program to landowners within Florida. Landowners are asked to complete a FL Forest Stewardship Application and reach out to a county forester in their area to learn more.
The Georgia Forestry Commission administers the Forest Stewardship program to landowners within Georgia. Landowners can fill out a request form for a Forest Stewardship Plan and find many resources on their website. Landowners can reach out to the Stewardship Specialist in their area to learn more.
The Forestry and Soil Resources Division of the Department of Agriculture administers the Forest Stewardship program for landowners in Guam. Learn more @DOAG.Forestry on Instagram and Facebook.
Division of Forestry and Wildlife within the Department of Land and Natural Resources administers the Forest Stewardship Program to landowners in Hawai’i. Interested landowners can contact Forestry and Wildlife staff to learn more.
Idaho’s Department of Lands has a variety of assistance programs for forest landowners including the Forest Stewardship Program. Interested landowners can contact the Private Forest Specialist in their area.
The Illinois Division of Forestry Resources has a variety of forestry resources for forest landowners including a Forestry Assistance Program where landowners can complete the Request for Forestry Assistance form. Interested landowners can contact their Forestry District Office.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Private Lands Program employs district foresters District Foresters who specialize in assisting private forest landowners. Indiana also has the Classified Forest & Wildlands Program that gives landowners at property tax break for managing their property timber, wildlife habitat, and water quality.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources provides foresters who can provide assistance and help landowners improve their woodland for wildlife, recreation, water quality, or wood products. They provide native seedling for purchase, administer the Forest Reserve Law and have many resources available for woodland owners. To learn more, contact the district forester in your area.
Kansas State University’s Kansas Forest Service administers the Rural Forestry Program which encourages farmers, ranchers, and other landowners to actively manage and protect the forests, woodlands, and agroforestry resources on their property for wildlife, recreational, aesthetic, water quality, soil conservation, and forest product benefits. To learn more, contact the District Forester in your area.
Kentucky’s Division of Forestry administers the Forest Stewardship Program which provides a foresters, wildlife biologist, or other natural resource professional who will work with landowners to develop a forest stewardship plan for the property. Interested landowners can submit an application to participate in the program and contact their local field office to learn more.
The Louisiana Office of Forestry administers the Forest Stewardship Program to provide coordinated service to private, non-industrial forest landowners for total resource management. Interested landowners can submit an application to participate in the program and contact a District Forester to learn more.
The Maine Forest Service provides resources and information for woodland owners, including the Be Woods Wise program which helps landowners make informed choices for their woodlands. Contact a District Forester to schedule a free woodland meeting, get professional advice on your woodlands and learn more about educational services to landowners.
The Maryland Forest Service provides technical and financial assistance to forest landowners. The Woodland Incentives Program pays up to 65% of costs to implement eligible practices and administers the Forest Conservation and Management Program to encourage landowners to manage their forest land in return for a reduced and/or frozen property tax assessment. Contact the local Service Forester to learn more.
The Massachusetts Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry recognizes the public benefits of good stewardship on private lands and administers the Forest Stewardship Program to support and encourage private forest landowners’ efforts to manage, enjoy, and care for their land. To learn more, contact the Service Forester in your district.
The Minnesota Forestry Division administers the Forest Stewardship Program which helps woodland owners manage their woods through advice and education, cost-share programs, and woodland stewardship plans. To learn more, contact the DNR Stewardship Forester in your area.
The Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) provides the Forest Stewardship Program to promote active and informed participation of private, nonindustrial forest landowners in the management and use of all natural resources in their care. To learn more, contact a local MFC forester in your area.
The Missouri Department of Conservation provides management service to landowners interested in the long-term management of their forest. Management Service includes assistance in developing and carrying out a management plan for the property. To learn more, contact the Private Land Assistance contact in your county.
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Forest Stewardship Program exists to ensure that Montana’s private forest landowners have the resources they need to make their sustainable forest management goals a reality. To learn more, contact the Service Forester near you.
The Nebraska Forest Service (NFS) has foresters strategically located across the state to provide technical forestry services to Nebraska landowners including financial assistance and grant programs as well as windbreak maintenance and renovation. Contact the NFS Rural Forestry Personnel near you to learn more.
The Nevada Division of Forestry provides to Forest Stewardship program to promote sound stewardship practices through planning, technical advice and financial assistance for eligible landowners. To learn more, contact the Resource Management Officer or Natural Resource Specialist near you.
The University of New Hampshire helps landowners learn about and care for New Hampshire’s forests, trees, wildlife, and habitats. To learn more, contact the UNH Cooperative Extension County Foresters or Forestry and Wildlife Extension Specialists and Program Managers near you.
Through the Forest Stewardship Program, the New Jersey Forest Service provides technical and financial management assistance to landowners to assist with environmentally responsible management of New Jersey’s forest resources. To learn more, contact your regional NJ State Forest Service Office.
The New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) Forest Stewardship Program assists private landowner in actively managing their forests and related resources to keep their lands productive and healthy and enhance economic and environmental benefits. To learn more, contact your Local Forestry Division district office.
New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Division of Lands and Forests recognizes that private forest lands are an important component of New York's economy and character. The DEC provides a variety of programs including free site visits to help support sustainable forest management. To get started, contact your local DEC Stewardship Forester.
The North Carolina Forest Service’s Forest Stewardship Program is a cooperative effort to help owners realize the objective of managing their forests for the benefits they desire. To learn more, contact your County Ranger or complete the online Stewardship Request Form.
The North Dakota Forest Service’s Forest Stewardship Program provides assistance to private forest landowners to encourage and enable active, long-term forest management to meet their individual goals and for the benefit of the forest resource. To learn more, contact the Forest Stewardship Staff in your area or complete the online North Dakota Forest Landowner Technical Assistance Request form.
The Ohio Division of Forestry provides landowners with assistance to learn how to meet their woodland goals sustainably and find resources to help manage their woodlands. To learn more, contact a Service Forester in your area.
The Oklahoma Forestry Services’ Forest Stewardship Program provides free technical assistance to landowners to encourage and enable active long-term forest management. To learn more, complete the application in the Forest Stewardship brochure or contact an OFS Forest Management Forester near you.
Oregon’s Department of Forestry provides financial incentives and technical assistance programs help private forest landowners obtain their goals for responsibly managing natural resources. To learn more, contact the Stewardship Forester near you.
The Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry offers information and advice to managers of rural and community forests and are a resource for the residents of Pennsylvania, helping to guide landowners and residents in the practice of sustainable forestry. To learn more, contact the Service Forester in your county.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and the Environment’s Bureau of the Environment is responsible in the protection of Palau’s natural environment. Learn more on MAFE’s Facebook or reach out to PalauDFLW@gmail.com or 680-544-5804.
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management’s Forest Stewardship Program was developed for forestland owners who want to know more about their forestland and how to manage it. Contact the Forest Stewardship Program Manager to learn more.
The South Carolina Forestry Commission provides a suite of services to landowners including planning, timber management, reforestation, and financial assistance. Landowners can now join the SC Forest Stewardship program with minimal costs in a timely manner and be provided professional forest and wildlife management advice. To learn more, call (803) 896-8800, or contact your Forestry Commission Stewardship Forester or complete the Forest Stewardship program application.
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources administers the Forest Stewardship program to assist private forest landowners to more actively manage their forest and related resources; to keep these lands in a productive and healthy condition for present and future owners; and to increase the economic and environmental benefits of these lands. To obtain help, contact your local Resource Conservation & Forestry Office.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry has professional Area Foresters stationed across the state who provide technical assistance through the Forest Stewardship Program. To learn more, contact an Area Forester in your county.
Through the Forest Stewardship Program, Texas A&M Forest Service promotes land stewardship to landowners all over Texas—from the Pineywoods of East Texas to the West Texas Panhandle. As a landowner, professional assistance is tailored to your individual needs. To connect with your local Texas A&M Forest Service forester, complete the online sign up form.
The US Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture’s (VIDA) Forestry Division has been providing services to private forest landowners since 1998. By providing natural resource management plans and technical assistance to landowners, the program promotes wise use and active management of forest resources in the United States Virgin Islands. To learn more, fill out the application available in the Forest Stewardship Program brochure.
The Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, & State Land’s Forest Stewardship Program connects private landowners with the information and tools needed to manage their forests and woodlands. For direct assistance with management options for your forested land, please contact the Area Forester at your local Division of Forestry, Fire & State Lands office or email the Forest Stewardship Program Coordinator.
The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation provides the Forest Stewardship Program to help family forest owners with advice and assistance in caring for and enjoying their woodlands. To learn more, contact the County Forester in your area.
The Virginia Department of Forestry’s (DOF) Forest Stewardship Program assists landowners in the careful and responsible management of forestland to ensure the health and long-term viability of forest resources. To learn more, contact the DOF Forester for your county.
The Washington Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Service Forestry Program can provide forest stewardship or forest management planning, advice, and recommendations for landowners. To learn more, contact the Service Forester near you.
The West Virginia Division of Forestry’s Forest Stewardship Program offers technical and financial assistance to private landowners in planning and managing their forestland for multiple-use benefits including wood products, wildlife, recreation, and aesthetics. Interested landowners can complete the Forest Stewardship Program Plan Application or reach out to the Service Forester in their region.
The first place you can turn for advice about caring for your woodland is the local Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource forester. Each county in Wisconsin has a DNR forester available to assist and meet with you on your land for a property walk-through. Their role is to provide professional planning and technical advice to Wisconsin's woodland owners.
The Wyoming State Forestry Division’s (WSFD) Forest Stewardship Program brings professional resource management expertise to private landowners to assist landowners in the development of management plans that will meet their overall long-term objectives for their forested property. To learn more, contact the Local WSFD Forester in your District.