|
Congress created the Forest Stewardship
Program in 1990 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. The
USDA Forest Service administers the program through the Resource
Conservation & Forestry Division.
Click here
for a brochure about the Forest Stewardship Program.
South Dakota Forest
Stewardship Plan - 2007
Forest stewardship starts with landowners
who care about their forestlands. They view their land as a source of
enjoyment, a chance to leave something special for future generations as
well as a potential source of income. They may need technical and
financial assistance to make their vision for the land a reality.
Eligible lands include those owned by any private individual, group
association, corporation, Indian tribe or other private legal entity.
Further, it includes rural lands with existing tree cover, or suitable
for growing trees. Participation by landowners is voluntary.
Landowner Forest Stewardship Plan
The backbone of the Forest Stewardship
Program is the development of a comprehensive forest stewardship plan
for the forest landowner. This plan will assess the limitations and
potentials of the forest ownership and recommend actions for the
landowners to accomplish their objectives without jeopardizing private
property rights.
Resource Conservation & Forestry service
professionals prepare these plans free of charge. Landowners have the
option of hiring a consulting forester, or having some other resource
professional prepare the plan. Plans must be approved by Resource
Conservation & Forestry personnel to participate in the program.
Cost-share assistance is available to landowners who choose to hire
someone to write their forest stewardship plan.
Criteria for available
cost-share assistance
Forest stewardship plans are not
necessarily limited to forests in the Black Hills area. They are often
written as part of a conservation plan for farms and ranches. The forest
stewardship plan can offer a comprehensive look at the tree resources
that serve as field, livestock and farmstead windbreaks, living barns,
living snow fences, and wildlife plantings. Accurate design, planting,
and maintenance are critical to the survival and success of tree
plantings on the prairie.
Criteria for
writing a Landowner Forest Stewardship Plan (PDF Document).
Practices
The division also provides the technical
assistance needed to implement practices identified in the forest
stewardship plan. Often these practices require technical designs so
that they are implemented properly and can accomplish the landowner’s
objectives. Division personnel also provide program information to
landowners interested in seeking cost-share to complete practices.
Recognition
 Landowners who
have a forest stewardship plan prepared and complete at least one
practice recommended in the plan are eligible to be recognized as forest
stewards. Recognition comes in the form of a Stewardship Forest sign
that the landowner can proudly display at the entrance to his/her
property, a certificate, and a letter of congratulations from the State
Forester.
How Do I Obtain Help?
Contact your local Resource
Conservation & Forestry office to obtain more information about the
Forest Stewardship Program and its benefits.
(Click here
for a list of the local offices)
|
