Stewardship Plan Writing

Forest Management Plans

We provide Forest Stewardship Plans for your property. Forest management plans provide a baseline inventory of the cover types of your forested, grass, or pastured land. After a plan is written, you will be eligible to participate in a tax relief program in Minnesota (2C Managed Forest Land, Sustainable Forest Incentive Act) or qualified for cost-share programs to assist you in implementing your forestry management practices.

 The 2C property classification, enacted in 2008, provides a reduced class rate of 0.65 percent to forested property subject to the current forest management (stewardship) plan and meeting other requirements. There is no minimum term of enrollment; the property will receive the reduced class rate as long as it is enrolled and continues to meet the requirements.

Legislation passed in 2001—the Sustainable Forest Incentive Act (SFIA)—allows annual payments to be made to enrolled owners of forested land as an incentive to practice long-term sustainable forest management.

We can provide Managed Forest Law Plans in Wisconsin to reduce your woodland property tax liability. Wisconsin’s Managed Forest Law (MFL) is a landowner incentive program that encourages sustainable forestry on private woodlands. Together with landowner objectives, the law incorporates timber harvesting, wildlife management, water quality, and recreation to maintain a healthy and productive forest. Sustainable forest management benefits Wisconsin’s economy, hunting, fishing, wildlife, recreation, soils, waterways, and air quality. It renews our beautiful forests for everyone to enjoy.

To participate in the MFL program, landowners designate a property as “Open” or “Closed” to public access for recreation and commit to a 25 or 50-year sustainable forest management plan. The plan sets the schedule for specific forestry practices which landowners must complete. In return, MFL participants pay in place of regular property taxes plus a yield tax on harvested trees. Yield taxes go to the local municipality to help offset the annual property taxes that are deferred while properties are enrolled in the MFL.