MIchigan SOCIETY
OF AMERICAN FORESTERS
Upper Peninsula & Lower Peninsula Chapters

  FORESTRY ASSISTANCE
  IN MICHIGAN

   Michigan Forest Resource Alliance

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

	Michigan DNR		Michigan Professional Logger's Council
	Conservation Districts		Consulting Foresters
	Forest Industry		Nurseries

Technical assistance is available from a variety of public agencies, corporations, consultants, associations, and others. Assistance from some providers is free, whereas, others charge a fee for their services. Names, addresses, and phone numbers are listed throughout this website, and you are encouraged to contact these providers for professional technical assistance. When making important management decisions, the advice of a forester should always be used. Foresters may work for loggers, sawmills, industries, their own companies, or public agencies. The trick is finding the right one for your needs.

Forest Management Division
Internet Connection

The mission statement for the Forest Management Division is as follows:
"The mission of the Forest Management Division is to provide for the protection, integrated management, and responsible use of a healthy, productive, and undiminished forest resource base for the social, recreational, environmental, and economic benefit of the people of the State of Michigan."

Among the Forest Management Division’s responsibilities are landowner assistance and public education. Private Forest Management foresters, assigned to each state forest area, are listed below:

Eastern Upper Peninsula. Byron Sailor. P.O. Box 440, US-41 North, Baraga, MI 49908   (906) 353-6651.
Central Upper Peninsula.  Vacant.  6833 Hwy 2-41.  Gladstone, MI  49837  (906) 786-2351.
Western Upper Peninsula. Bob DeVillez. Rt. 4 Box 796, Newberry MI 49868   (906) 293-5131.
Northeast Lower Peninsula. Tom Stone. P.O. Box 10, Indian River MI 49749   (616) 238-4282.
Middle Lower Peninsula. Steve Kalisz. 8015 Mackinaw Trail, Cadillac, MI 49601    (616) 775-9727.
Southern Lower Peninsula. Dave Neumann. P.O. Box 30452, Lansing, MI   48909-7952   (517) 241-9054. 

Wildlife Division
Internet Connection

The Wildlife Division Private Lands Program in southern Michigan provides technical assistance to landowners interested in managing their lands for wildlife. Direct field visits, educational workshops, brochures, and fact sheets are provided. A major portion of the program is cooperative between Wildlife Division and the county Soil and Water Conservation Districts. For assistance, contact the local county Conservation District office or call Mark Sargent of the Wildlife Division at (517) 641-6667.

Conservation District Resource Professionals
   Internet Connection

The Cooperative Resource Management Initiative (CRMI) is a project that combines the strengths of state and local agencies to provide technical assistance and resource, education and outreach to citizens, landowners, and communities throughout the state.  This information and technical assistance includes tree planting, tree care, reforestation, forest management, wildlife habitat management, soil erosion control, timber harvest advice, forest tax laws, outdoor classrooms and backyard habitat, and presentations at local schools and workshops.       

Arranged alphabetically by conservation district (most Districts have multiple counties) for the Upper Peninsula and Lower Peninsula.

Conservation District Resource Professionals (foresters or wildlife biologists) give management advice, and then usually refer landowners to others to provide the actual service.  Foresters who work for wood-using companies, wood suppliers (loggers), or those in business for themselves (consulting foresters) often provide some of the following

• Timber Marketing (timber sale preparation) for Grade and Veneer, Pallet Logs, Pulpwood, Chips, Cabin Logs, Utility Poles, and Firewood. ( * See example below)
• Develop Management Plans for Wildlife, Timber, Recreation, and for other landowner’s objectives.
• Specialty Services. Resource Surveys and Feasibility Studies, Timberland Investment Advice, Tax Management and Control, and Expert Witness.

Timber sale preparation is a common service.  For example, on some timber sales the forester will mark, with tree marking paint, all of the trees to be harvested.  As each tree is marked, the diameter, merchantable height and species are recoreded on a tally sheet.  From this data, the number of trees and volume is determined by species, and the landowner can be paid accordingly for the stumpage to be harvested.  Once the owner has accepted the offer, the forester prepares the timber sale contract and administers the contract through completion.

If a consulting forester prepares the sale, a timber sale notice describing the sale is sent out to numerous reputable buyers for bid.  It is common for bids to vary significantly, depending on the needs and markets of the buyers.  Once the owner has accepted a bid, the consultant prepares the timber sale contract and administers the contract through completion.  The successful bidder arranges for harvest of the sale and pays the consultant for the stumpage.   The charge for the consultant's services is deducted and the remainder paid to the landowner.

Listed below are corporations that offer free forest management assistance programs for landowners. Each offers varying services, purchases varying forest products, and covers different areas of Michigan. Most will provide a field inspection, management plan, timber sale contracting and administration, tree marking, and timber product marketing. They may also be able to direct you to other foresters in your area who can also provide these services.

In addition to these forest management assistance programs, many sawmills, logging companies, and other timber purchasers have professional foresters on staff for technical assistance. Most assistance, including timber cruising, management plans, sale setup and administration, is also provided free of charge. The Michigan Forestry Directory is an excellent resource. To purchase a copy, contact the Michigan Association of Timbermen at 800-682-4979. This directory also lists those loggers who are members of the Michigan Professional Loggers Council, and those who have foresters on staff.

The Michigan Professional Loggers Council (MPLC) is an organization dedicated to the implementation of and adherence to a predetermined set of standards designed to engender the public’s trust and insure the long-term sustainability of Michigan’s forest resource. Those standards include:

• Promote professional conduct among loggers in Michigan.
• Comply with forestry and harvesting practices that promote sustainable forestry initiatives.
• Be responsible for the execution of all phases of the harvesting operation from stump to roadside to transport.
• Participate in voluntary certification and education programs for Professional Loggers, including the Michigan Sustainable Forestry Education program and other programs as determined by the Board.
• Comply with all federal, state, and local laws, industry standards and guidelines applicable to the timber harvesting business.
• Comply with all Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations and other applicable safety standards, including developing and administering a written safety program for their business.
• Operate their business professionally by obtaining a federal employer identification number, administering a payroll and maintaining both General Liability and Worker’s Compensation Insurance when required.
• Maintain positive working relationships with landowners, procurement and mill personnel, and the public by operating their business safely and courteously at all times.
• Support the Michigan Professional Loggers Council to address issues through communication, education and legislation.
• Continuously strive to educate themselves, employees, peers and the public on the timbering profession and best management practices.
• Act responsibly to uphold the integrity of the Logging Profession.

MPLC members are constantly being reviewed for compliance to the above standards. Complaints or positive commments about a specific logging operation or harvest may be directed to 1-800-682-4979.

MPLC Board of Directors

Mark Anderson, MVA Enterprises, Iron Mountain
Jim Carey,  J.Carey Logging, Channing
Jim Dougovito, MTU Ford Forestry Center, L'Anse
Jim Fish, Hickory Corners
Jeff Gudwer, Gudwer Trucking, Gladstone
Jodi Kaiser, MUCC, St. Ignace
Dave Sidell, Sidell Forest Products, Cheboygan
Tom St. John, St. John Forest Products, Spalding
Mel Polega, Fairhaven Wood Products, Kalamazoo
Jack Thomas, Mead Woodlands Division, Escanaba
Dan Welch, Welch Land & Timber, Curran
Dave Whittaker, Whittacker Timber Corp., Cass City

A consulting forester offers professional services to private forest landowners on a fee basis. In addition to the previously mentioned services, some consultants may provide the following:

• Specialty Services. Resource Surveys and Feasibility Studies, Timberland Investment Advice, Tax Management and Control, and Expert Witness.
• Some Forestry Consultants are also state licensed to provide Real Estate Brokerage, Land Surveying and Appraisals.

The membership directory of the Michigan Association of Consulting Foresters (MACF) is listed below. There may be other consulting foresters in your area that are not members of this association, and therefore, have not been included in the following table. Either a DNR Private Forest Management Forester or a Conservation District Forester (Resource Professional) should be able to refer you to others in your vicinity. (These are both mentioned above.)

Nurseries
Internet Connection

Listed are nurseries that sell tree seedlings and shrubs. They may also be a source for planting information and supplies.

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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 04 April 2001.