A forest management plan, or forest stewardship plan, is a written document that outlines your goals for your forest and provides a pathway to help achieve them.
Forest management plans should be thought of as living documents that are adapted to your concerns and available resources. Washington state has a recognized forest management plan template that can be used to apply for funding and recognition of your forest by agencies and organizations.Â
Benefits of Having a Forest Management Plan:
- Personalized Management Tool – You will have a document that outlines a pathway to achieve your specific goals and helps you monitor progress.
- Communication – You can more easily express your goals with contractors, neighbors, heirs/family, and clearly articulate your legacy plan.
- Access to Financial Incentives – A forest management plan qualifies you for funding or tax deferral programs with various state and federal agencies.
- Optional Recognition – Forests with management plans qualify for recognition signage and having a plan is a first step toward joining the American Tree Farm Program and working with other third party organizations.Â
- Stewardship – A plan helps you focus on the values that matter most to you for your forest, improves your understanding of your land, and provides opportunities for continued learning.
Components of a Forest Management Plan
Your Goals & Objectives
These steer the entire planning process. Foresters will recommend specific actions to achieve those goals.Â
- Goals: broad and long-term (for example, improve wildlife habitat, sequester carbon, decrease wildfire risk, generate periodic revenue)
- Objectives: short-term and measurable (for example, increase numbers of snags and downed logs, eradicate invasive species)
Description of Your Forest
- Forest terrain and natural features
- Climate
- Property size, location, and access from major roads
- Legal property description (from the deed)
- Property history and prior management actions
- Neighboring property uses (such as commercial timber production, farming, or residential)
Assessments of Your Forest
- Soils
- Forest inventory (detailed assessment of trees by area)Â
- Wildlife habitatÂ
- Roads and trailsÂ
- Water resources (such as streams, wetlands, and drainage)Â
- Pests, wildfire risk, invasive speciesÂ
- Special resources (such as unique ecological, cultural, or sensitive areas)Â Â
Maps
Maps are a valuable tool for visualizing your property. Multiple resources can often be shown on the same map (for example, streams, roads, and forest stands).
A plan includes maps of:
- Forest standsÂ
- Soils
- Access routes
- Streams and other water bodies
- Topography
- Special features (such as structures, important sites, or known cultural resources)
Reach out to your local conservation district with questions about getting a forest management plan. We can help you write your plan or connect you with the right assistance. Our services are always free, non-regulatory, and confidential! Â
This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement PC-01J89501 through the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency or the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
