| Brad |
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| #1 |
First off, many thanks to the U of M putting together and maintaining this website--there's a lot of great information here and I've found it very helpful. Anyway, I have a basic question about putting together a stewardship plan. I own about 35 acres that is mostly covered with jack pines. Virtually nothing has been done with the land since a fire went through in the early 80's so I'd like to hire a professional and put together some sort of management plan. I understand there are a couple routes to take here, i.e. public or private sector. I'd prefer to have a DNR forester take a look things but from what I heard there is quite a long wait. Does that seem right? I wouldn't mind hiring a consultant either but am not sure about the cost--what should I expect? Thanks. |
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| Ray Leaver |
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| #2 |
Hi Brad-
I have had no problems using the DNR. They were out to our land within a week after I called them inquiring about the Woodland Stewardship Program. The DNR then contacted a private forestry consultant to look over our land. Within a month we were ready to order seedlings for the following Spring. Good Luck!
Ray
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| William Sayward |
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| #3 |
Hi Brad,
Here is a link to the MACF web site for a list of Consulting Foresters who are members of the Minnesota Association of Consulting Foresters http://www.paulbunyan.net/users/norfor/members.htm , I would suggest finding one in your area and contacting them. I hope this helps.
Bill
Itasca Greenhouse, Inc.
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| roger rutt |
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| #4 |
If you didnt have a plan before now you may have to pay a fee to get one. The powers to be have yet to establish a fee schedule. It will still be worth it if you get in any of the tax programs. You will recoup the fee fairly quickly. Due to unallotment there was a sizable reduction in state funds for forestry work, especially stewardship plans. |
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| Gary Michael |
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| #5 |
Brad,
The answers you have received so far are pretty accurate. We, MNDNR, are currently working through the difficult process of determining if, how and when we will need to begin to charge for the service of Stewardship plan writing. Historically this has been a free service. The cost has never been free, but the Division of Forestry has always paid for that cost. Due to various reasons, it is very unlikely we will be able to continue that program, free to the private forest landowner.
As someone else has pointed out, there are many benefits to receiving a plan, one of which is financially based through tax incentives or reductions.
We are working through all the issues associated with a charge for service type of system and hope to finalize that soon. In the meantime, I encourage you to get on the waiting list at your local DNR Forestry office, or contact a consultant forester.
Thanks for you interest in the program.
Gary Michael
DNR Forestry
Private Forest Management Program Coordinator
507-333-2011 x221
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| Brad |
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| #6 |
Many thanks for the replies re: my questions about a stewardship plan. I plan to contact the DNR to get some information. One question I still have is how much I would expect to pay for a private consultant to take a look at my ~35 acres. Any thoughts? |
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| roger rutt |
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| #7 |
Hello Brad. It depends on what you want. The DNR is trying to establish a fee schedule for stewardship plans, but still hasn't done so. The minimum I charge for a plan is $350, the larger the plan the more I have to charge. The stewardship plan is a good start. It should contain the landowners personal goals and the foresters professional opinions on what is best for your particular property. If your looking for a consultant to administer a timber sale on your land typically that would be extra. Most often the consultant receives a percentage of the proceeds from the sale. If none of the above is involved and you just want some professional advice on tree planting or general forestry that usually is at an hourly rate. The way it is now, if you go to a state forester they more than likely will refer it to a consultant. The unallottment process has really thrown a wrench into the forestry gears and has created some problems which will take some creative thinking to solve. Good luck. |
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| Eli Sagor |
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| #8 |
Thanks to all who have posted to this thread--there's a lot of great information. One brief point to add: Some landowners are disappointed to hear of the new charge for Stewardship Plan preparation.
While it's never fun to pay for something that used to be free, it's important to note that the plan will more than pay for itself within 2-3 years, if not one year, on most properties.
The Sustainable Forest Incentive Act, which requires a Stewardship Plan (or similar plan), paid $8.52/ac for the 2008 tax year. That works out to just under $300 for a 35-acre property. If the cost of a Stewardship Plan for that property is $350-500, the plan will be making you money within two years. (BUT: Be sure you understand your SFIA enrollment responsibilities as well.)
Although the financial benefit is only one reason to get a Stewardship Plan for your property, it is an important one. Click to learn more about financial benefits and obligations of the Sustainable Forest Incentive Act (SFIA) and 2c Managed Forest Lands tax class.
As for whether it's better to hire a DNR forester vs. a consultant or industry-employed forester, that's a personal decision. The important thing is that the forester understands your vision and values for the land and will write the plan with those firmly in mind. It wouldn't hurt to talk to a couple of foresters before choosing one, regardless of who pays their salary.
-eli
Eli Sagor
University of Minnesota Extension
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| ken quass |
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| #9 |
Brad
I'm late in offering some comments to your questions about a stewardship plan for your 35 acres of mostly Jack Pines.
The private consultant fee of a minimum of $350 is about right and it could well become more like $600.
Like choosing a doctor or attorney, there are some questions to ask before settling on a plan advisor. A general rule is if the forester tells you what he would do, you don't want him making your plan. You want a forester who asks you what you want to do with your land, your plans for it. He should then tell you he will help you devise a plan to accomplish your desires, and advise you if any one of them is not appropriate for your property.
It has been my experience that private forestry consultants usually provide a more detailed plan than the DNR does. One is 'free' to you and the other has a fee attached. One might say one gets what one pays for.
A good Forest Stewardship Plan should have an aerial photo of your land and the various dominant plantings identified. Yours is apparently Jack Pine. The plan should identify the various eco-systems on your land and a good plan will have pictures of them taken on your land and list the approximate acreage of each type. It should also contain a soils identification map of your land with a description of the various soil types and what the type customarily grows in native plants, primarily trees if the DNR forester does the plan.
A good plan will list your objectives and have a schedule of events to carry out your objectives, your plan, your desires, long term and short term. A very good plan will also have an estimate of costs to carry out the various activities based on today's costs. So, an inflation factor would have to be figured for the costs that are into the future.
The DNR plan is put together in a large 3-ring binder that contains a lot of published material that would be of interest to you and your objectives.
The forester should do a walkthru with you and also by him/herself. This is to learn what was in your forest (the dead and dying), what is now growing and mature, and what will be (the seedlings) in your forest or land based on what is observed in the walkthru.
It would be helpful to have a basal area done of your trees. Much of this you can do yourself with some instruction. Take some Woodland Advisor courses offered thruout the year.
Sorry this is so long.
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