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Qualified Forest Program
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND AGRICULTURE The Qualified Forest Program provides a property tax exemption to private landowners who actively manage their forest lands. Landowners are allowed buildings on enrolled acres and can maintain private access. To qualify, parcels must be at least 20 acres and 80% stocked with forest capable of producing wood products; parcels over 40 acres must be 50% stocked. A forest management plan written for the property needs to be in place prior to enrollment. | ||
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Commercial Forest Program
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES The Commercial Forest program provides a significant property tax reduction to private landowners as an incentive to retain and manage their forest land for long-term timber production in support of the state's forest products industry. Landowners pay a specific tax in property taxes in exchange for managing their land as a productive commercial forest. More than 2.2 million acres of private forest land that are owned by 1,800 landowners are enrolled in the program. Commercial Forest lands are open to the public for foot access for hunting and fishing. Click on the link to the left for more information regarding the commercial forest program. |
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Environmental Quality Incentives Program
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. It supports production agriculture and environmental quality as compatible goals. Through EQIP, farmers, ranchers, private forest land owners and Federally-recognized American Indian tribes may receive financial and technical assistance to implement structural and land management conservation practices on eligible agricultural land. Click on the link to the left for more information regarding EQIP. |
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Forest Stewardship Program MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES The purpose of the Forest Stewardship Program is to encourage long-term stewardship of family forest land by providing professional planning and technical assistance to private landowners. Participation in the program is voluntary, and forest landowners can obtain information and cost-share assistance throughout the year. Since 1991, almost 5,000 landowners in Michigan have used their Forest Stewardship Plan to help them to protect, manage, and enjoy their forest. Click on the link to the left for more information regarding the Forest Stewardship Program. |
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American Tree Farm System AMERICAN FOREST FOUNDATION ATFS is the largest and oldest sustainable family woodland system in America, internationally recognized, meeting strict third-party certification standards. ATFS is a program of the American Forest Foundation. For more than 70 years, ATFS has enhanced the quality of America’s woodlands by giving private forest owners the tools they need to keep their forests healthy and productive. Participants in the American Tree Farm System are committed to “getting more good forestry on more acres, and keeping it there” by following sustainable forest management practices and techniques. Click on the link to the left for more information regarding the ATFS. |
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Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is an innovative, proactive, and voluntary program that helps farms and forests of all sizes and all commodities voluntarily prevent or minimize pollution risks. Click on the link to the left for more information regarding MAEAP. |
Gogebic Conservation District - 500 N. Moore Street - Bessemer, MI 49911
(906) 663-4512 ext 632
(906) 663-4512 ext 632
FAQs
How does a landowner decide which resource professional to use?
It is up to the landowner to determine which resource professional they would like to use after speaking with each of them. We encourage landowners to contact all resource professionals on their list to determine which professional can best help meet management at a competitive price.
How much do resource professional services cost?
Because costs can vary by location, type of project, services requested, and many other factors, it is difficult to estimate how much services cost until the professional has a better idea of what exactly is required in the project.
What if a landowner decides they don’t want to hire a resource professional after they have been through the process and received their list?
There is no cost for any of the services provided by the conservation district (initial consultation, creation of landowner profile, informational help, compilation of interested resource professionals list, etc.) and there is no obligation for a landowner to hire a resource professional, even if they have already received their list.
Does a landowner have to worry about unwanted solicitations from resource professionals?
Resource professionals do not have access to landowner contact information, so unless the landowner contacts a resource professional and provides them with their contact information, professionals have no way of reaching a landowner.