MICHIGAN SOCIETY
OF AMERICAN FORESTERS
Upper Peninsula & Lower Peninsula Chapters

FORESTRY ASSISTANCE
IN MICHIGAN

A Guide to Technical, Educational, and Finanacial Forestry Assistance
for Michigan's Private Forest Owners.

What to ask, who to ask, and where to find it

Provided by:  Michigan Forest Resource Alliance

Introduction
The Michigan Forest Resource Alliance
Keys to Sustainable Woodland Management
A Few of the Many Related Brochures Available From the MFRA Office

Introduction

The purpose of this booklet is to provide forestry assistance information to the private forest landowner in a directory format. This booklet compiles sources of information and assistance that are often scattered and hard to find. Three major categories addressed in this booklet are Technical, Financial, and Educational Assistance.

It is often said that help and information are out there, but sometimes just hard to find. This booklet hopes to ease the process of finding what help is available and who to ask for the assistance. Informed forest management choices begin by asking the right people the right questions and getting the right information.

Information included in this booklet is based on input from numerous individuals and organizations. Every attempt has been made for quality and accuracy, however, it is not necessarily a complete listing and it cannot assume responsibility for the quality of services provided.

The Michigan Forest Resource Alliance is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is public relations and education for the promotion of sound management of the forest resource. Our membership, now approaching 200, is made up of a diverse mix of the "forest community" ranging from individual landowners to foresters and wildlife biologists, loggers and small sawmill owners to large corporations. MFRA is in a cosponsor relationship with the Michigan Tree Farm Association whose membership in Michigan is in excess of 2,000. The Forest Alliance is also contracted as the administrative agent for Michigan’s Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)^SM implementation committee. Members of these organizations work diligently together to create an environment essential to the health and well being of the living forest.

The programs of MFRA are many and varied. Our school program Teaching Responsible Environmental Education (TREE) has been presented in schools throughout the state and has received high reviews by teachers and students alike. In addition to educating students, a quarterly newsletter is published to educate landowners and the public about the importance of proper forest management. Some of the other projects include a state-wide media campaign, development of a forestry demonstration area and self-guided auto tours, displays presented at fairs, expositions, festivals, and supporting local communities through the education of citizens on the importance of their forest resource.

The forest community of Michigan is proud of our achievements. The recent fifth statewide forest resource inventory revealed an increase of a million acres in forestland between 1980 and 1993. It also showed that the forests of Michigan are healthy, diverse and productive. Results such as these are no accident. It is through the caring and nurturing by professional forest community members that the forests of Michigan are thriving.

It is the mission of MFRA to educate and inform the general public about matters concerning the forest resource. Through continuous good forest management, we can continue to create jobs, products for society, and a growing living forest for all future generations.

• Educate yourself about your forest and forest management options. Walk your woods with an observant eye. What do you find attractive? How do you envision it in five years? 10? Longer?
• Set goals to accomplish what you want from the forest based on the land’s natural capabilities and your objectives for the future. Prioritize these goals, since it is unreasonable to assume you can reach all your goals in a short time. What is most important to you now?
• Set objectives for the short-term activities that will help you achieve your goal(s). This is a good time to utilize the assistance of a natural resource professional for technical recommendations. A written plan is an excellent tool for translating goals and objectives into an easy-to-follow plan of action.
• Implement your plan. Many activities can be accomplished by you at little or no cost. Other activities will take time, money and may require specific permits. Your plan should also include a timetable for implementing activities. Sometimes there is financial assistance available to landowners for certain projects.
• Enjoy the benefits of your management activities. Take time to enjoy your healthier forest, wildlife and wildflowers, knowing that you are doing your best to insure that future generations will benefit from the healthy forests, clean air and water, timber products and recreational opportunities.

A Few of the Many Related Brochures Available From the MFRA Office

	Keys to Sustainable Forest Management:  A pocket guide for Michigan private forest landowners, stewards of tomorrow's forests.
	Tips to consider When Selling Your Timber:  Feel lost in your own woods?   Careful planning and finding the help you need before you need it can make all the difference at harvest time.
	How To Choose a Quality Logger:  Time for a timber sale?  Decisions you make today can create a brighter tomorrow for both you and your forestland.

Call the MFRA toll-free number to request any of these brochures along with other recent material available.  This information is provided FREE of charge.  1-800-474-1718.

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Since July, 2001

MSAF Home Page

This website is maintained by Bill Cook, Michigan State University Extension Forester in the Upper Pensinsula. 
Comments, questions, and suggestions are gratefully accepted. Editorial issues can be addressed to Eric Thompson.

Last update of this page was 24 July 2001.