Forestry Assistance

Why Manage Forests?

Proper forest management is an integral component of conservation and natural resource management. For example, harvesting timber provides an income source to landowners, promotes private industry, and improves forest health in the process. There are numerous ecosystem services that we all enjoy when forest health is improved following best management practices such as improved wildlife habitat, better access and improved recreation, increased water quality through filtration and flood control, erosion control and soil stabilization, nutrient cycling and increased soil organic matter, carbon sequestration, as well as pollution control and oxygen production.

Need Forest Management Assistance?

Montcalm Conservation District offers free forestry assistance through our District Forester. The role of our District Forester is to provide general guidance and information regarding forestry to landowners and the general public. The District Forester also facilitates referrals to other public and private resource professionals for writing detailed forest management plans, conducting timber sales and other services.

The District Forester can provide information on wildlife habitat management, invasive species control, forest health concerns, general planting and forestland programs.

For more information or to schedule a free site visit, contact our District Forester at

989-831-4212 x2141 or owen.cousino@macd.org

Problematic Invasive Species

Terrible Trees:

tree of heaven & black locust

Bad Bushes:

autumn olive, invasive honeysuckle, buckthorn & barberry

Vicious Vines:

invasive bittersweet, kudzu, mile-a-minute weed

Flustering Flowers:

garlic mustard, spotted knapweed, lesser celandine

Insect Invaders:

spotted lanternfly, emerald ash borer, spongy moth, wooly adelgids

Fungal Foes:

armillaria root rot, beech bark disease, oak wilt

Forestry Programs

Qualified Forest Program (QFP)

The Qualified Forest Program encourages private forestland owners to manage their land in an economically viable and environmentally sustainable manner, providing tax reductions for implementing a forest management plan. Private landowners with 20-640 acres of forested land are eligible with an annual application deadline of September 1st. If your forested parcel is 20-39 acres, at least 80% must be productive, producing at least 20 cubic ft of wood per acre, per year. If the parcel is 40-640 acres, at least 50% must be productive. There is a maximum of 18 mill reduction of school property taxes. Public access on your land is not a requirement. QFP can also provide exemptions from uncapping the taxable value of the property in the event of a change of ownership.

Hunting Access Program (HAP)

The Hunting Access Program (HAP) provides up to $25/acre to enrolled landowners. To be eligible, the property must be a minimum of 20 acres, and contain at least 10% wildlife habitat (grassland, forest, wetland) after safety zones are excluded. Safety zones include any area within 450 feet of an occupied dwelling. Landowners can limit what type of hunting is allowed, but this may reduce the financial reward.

American Tree Farm System (ATFS)

Landowners must be a good steward of 10-10,000 acres of forested land and have a forest management plan that meets ATFS standards. Must arrange for an ATFS-certified forester to review the land and the plan, and have an inspector verify management activities. All Certified Family Forest owners have a management plan that addresses air, water, soil quality, wildlife, special sites, invasive species and integrated pest management. Certified acres may include features such as food plots, water resources (lakes, ponds, streams), Christmas tree farms, orchards, and other non-forested areas if they are an integrated part of the forest system, referred to collectively as the Forest Management Unit (FMU).

Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)

NRCS offers voluntary programs that provide financial and technical assistance in addressing natural resource concerns for agricultural producers and forest landowners.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)