This is a short update from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources about private forest land issues. We hope that this information will help you manage, protect and enjoy your forest.
2015 year in review
The following is a short review of what happened in 2015 for several forestry programs in Michigan that provide resources for private forest landowners.
Forest Stewardship Program: The Forest Stewardship Program celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2015. Since its start in 1990, more than 5,400 landowners have worked with a forester to develop a custom Forest Stewardship Plan for their property. Wayne County was the only county in Michigan without a Forest Stewardship Plan, but in September, Frost Middle School in Livonia became the first landowner in Wayne County to develop a Forest Stewardship Plan for its 12-acre school forest.
Tree Farm: The American Tree Farm System updated its “Standards of Sustainability” in January. Michigan Tree Farmers can fill out a short addendum to keep their forest management plans current with the new standards, or request assistance including a free visit from a Tree Farm Inspecting Forester. The Michigan Tree Farm Committee established a “Wheels to Woods” school forest bus fund in December to help pay for transportation costs for schools to go on field trips to nearby forests.
Michigan Forest Association: Bill and Alice Botti announced in February that they would retire at the end of 2015 after serving 10 years as the executive directors of the Michigan Forest Association (MFA). Bill and Alice have served in various leadership roles for MFA since 1973, just one year after the association was started. MFA thanks them for their many years of service to Michigan’s forest landowners.
Qualified Forest Program: Almost 700 forest landowners applied for a property tax break through the Qualified Forest Program by the Sept. 1 application deadline. About 300,000 acres statewide are now enrolled in the program.
Commercial Forest Program: The DNR updated the website for the Commercial Forest Program in November to make it easier for landowners to access information and forms about this property tax program. Applications for tax benefits in 2017 are due by April 1.
Natural Resources Conservation Service: The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) entered into a new partnership with the DNR in May to train foresters to help private forest landowners get financial assistance for conservation practices on their forest land. Landowners interested in funding in 2016 through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) must apply by Dec. 18, 2015, at their local NRCS Service Center.
Forest Facts
The DNR hosted the second Governor’s Forest Products Summit in October. The event brought together 150 representatives from industry, government, the financial sector and academia to continue actions started at the Governor’s 2013 Forest Products Summit to encourage growth of wood-using industries in the state. Did you know that the forest products industry contributes $17.8 billion per year to Michigan’s economy? More than 87,000 people in Michigan work in forestry, logging, trucking, sawmills and as secondary manufacturers.
Important Dates
- Dec. 18: Cut-off date to sign up for Environmental Quality Incentives Program, or EQIP, funding from Natural Resources Conservation Service in 2016
- Jan. 24-27: Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference in Grand Rapids
- April 1: Application deadline for the Commercial Forest Program
- Sept. 1: Application deadline for the Qualified Forest Program
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