Assistance
available to private landowners
Foresters are invaluable resources to help you cost-effectively
manage your woodlands. Some people may think that any value in hiring
a forester is offset in the fees they charge, but unless you are an expert
in this area, a forester can save you money.
You can contact:
-- Cooperating foresters
Cooperating foresters have signed an agreement with the DNR and must comply
with DNR standards and rules for all landowner assistance regarding land
management quidance and harvest of timber. In addition, they must attend
continuing education courses and file periodic reports with the DNR.
-- Consulting or industrial foresters
Consulting foresters serve or represent private landowners on a contract
or fee basis, which the landowner pays. Industrial foresters are employed
by wood-using industries that provide advice and assistance to private
landowners to promote practices approved by the companies.
-- DNR private assistance foresters
While consulting foresters specialize in assisting landowners with accomplishing
their management goals, DNR foresters specialize in objective initial
guidance, tax law and cost-sharing program administration, and landowner
education on a limited first-come, first-serve basis.
The Wisconsin DNR Forestry Division’s online Forestry Assistance
locator can help you find DNR and cooperating foresters by county, region
or services offered. You can access the locator at: www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/forestry/private/assist/coopforesters
Documents in pdf format (requires Acrobat
Reader).
For more information about finding a consulting forester check out the
Directory of Private Consulting Foresters and Industrial Foresters, WDNR
Publ-FR-021, http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/forestry/Private/Assist/index.htm
For information on a consulting forester, go to Forestry Fact Sheet #75,
forest.wisc.edu/extension/publications/75.pdf
University of Wisconsin Assistance:
Department of Forest Ecology and Management, University of Wisconsin
Forest Management: Mark Rickenbach, UW-Madison, (608) 262-0134
Forestry Outreach Programs: John Duplissis, UW-Stevens Point, (715) 346-4128
Forest Products: Scott Bowe, UW-Madison, (608) 265-5849
Forest Insects: Phil Pellitteri, UW-Madison, (608) 262-6510
Forest Diseases: Tree Disease Clinic, UW-Madison, (608) 262-2863
Wildlife: Scott Craven, UW-Madison, (608) 263-6325
Other Assistance:
Forest Diseases: To locate assistance within your area, visit the following
site, www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/forestry/FH/staff/index.htm
Urban Trees: To locate assistance within your area, visit the following
site, www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/forestry/UF/staff/index.htm
Herbicides & Pesticides: To locate assistance within your area, visit
the following site, www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/forestry/fh/weeds/2003_herbicides.html
Cost-sharing Programs
There are several state and federal programs that offer cost-sharing and
technical assistance to woodland owners. The Wisconsin
Forest Landowner Grant Program (WFLGP) offers up to 65 percent of
the cost for planting trees, timber land and wildlife improvement, preparation
of forest stewardship plans and other practices. Applications are processed
three times a year: February 1, June 1 and September 1. Other cost share
programs include the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program, Conservation
Reserve Program, Environmental Quality Incentive Program and others. The
state’s Managed Forest Law provides tax incentives for landowners
with at least 10 acres of forestland who use good management practices.
Because the availability of these programs change, contact your county
Department of Natural Resources forester or a Consulting Forester in the
private sector for more information on which programs are appropriate
for you. You may also visit the Division
of Forestry’s cost-share web page. Other helpful agencies include
your county UWEX office or Land Conservation Department.
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Managing Your Woodlands (Parts 1, 2 & 3)
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