Making the most of your investment: Information on forest-related programs for northern lakeshore property owners
Northern Wisconsin property owners, particularly those whose lots include stands of trees, play an integral role in nurturing the state’s forest resource. Those trees help to provide clean water and clean air, erosion control, wildlife habitat, and sanctuaries for hundreds of species of rare plants and animals and natural communities. Those same trees contribute to the state’s economy and provide a place to work and recreate, and constitute a site where nature’s beauty can be enjoyed and appreciated. A lot’s trees may have been one of the reasons why a property was purchased in the first place.
It doesn’t take long to recognize that ownership of forested land entails more than raking leaves or cutting trees for firewood. Are the lot’s trees healthy? Are invasive plants crowding out desirable growth? Have trees been harvested in a way that enhances the property? Does a woodlot have the potential to “help pay for itself,” including help with the taxes?
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forestry Division works in partnership with landowners. That partnership involves a wide range of services, programs, and information. Working with DNR Forestry staff helps a property owner achieve their vision for their forested land.
It starts with a plan. A plan will help a property owner keep ideas on track. The first step begins with a visit to a professional forester. A DNR forester can get you started with forest management and can also share information about the forest tax and cost-sharing incentive programs they administer. A private consulting forester can be your representative and (on a contract or fee basis) provide a wide range of services. Consulting with a professional forester means you get what you want, and the job is done right. The DNR Forestry Division’s Internet site (http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/private/assist/ ) lists information about the help that woodlot owners can use.
Forest tax programs can help. Owners of forested lands should investigate whether they would benefit from enrolling their land in the Managed Forest Law (MFL) Program. MFL is a landowner incentive program that encourages sustainable forestry on private woodlands by reducing and deferring property taxes. Participation in MFL requires some up-front investment of time and financial resources. The payoff? A melding of landowner objectives with sustainable forestry practices. An equally important benefit: the landowner has maximum control of their property along with reduced property taxes. Forestry’s MFL web pages (http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/feeds/faqsFull.asp?s1=ForestTax&s2=MFL&inc=ftax ) offer detailed information on this tax program, and Forestry staff can help landowners decide if this is the best option.
Tree-planting advice, reforestation resources available. From easy-to-understand tree-planting guidance and advice on how to plant to attract wildlife to being a source of quality tree and shrub seedlings, the State’s Nursery Program has been meeting its goal of ensuring a consistent supply of high quality seedlings, of desirable forest species, at an economical price, to encourage reforestation in Wisconsin for nearly 100 years. The state’s 4th graders are familiar with the three nursery operations (at Hayward, Wisconsin Rapids, and Boscobel). They may have received a seedling to plant as part of the April observance of Arbor Day. Youth groups may have ordered seedling bundles for reforestation projects. The nurseries are also involved in research projects, the goal of which is to make sure tomorrow’s forests get their start with genetically superior seedlings grown at the nurseries. Seedlings can be ordered online or by telephone. Information about the State Nurseries, including links to webcasts and videos, can be found at http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/Nursery/ .
Forest health – insect and disease issues. Gypsy moths. Emerald ash borers. Oak wilt. From invasive plants like garlic mustard and purple loosestrife that slowly undermine the health of forested areas to tent caterpillars and other “exotic threats, Wisconsin (like other states) faces an onslaught of invasive species that have the potential to whittle away at our multi-billion-dollar forest resource. DNR Forestry Division staff and resources (at http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/FH/ and throughout the DNR Internet site) are available to property owners. It includes outreach efforts (workshops, guest speakers, newsletters and publications) and specific one-to-one property owner assistance. It also includes training for forest professionals to ensure invasives aren’t being inadvertently spread and web-based resources that help people recognize what various invasives look like -- and the common-sense things that can be done to prevent their spread.
More information is always available. Private landowners have a lot to take in at the Forestry Davison’s website at http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/LP-private.htm . Publications on a wide range of topics can be viewed and downloaded directly from the website. The site includes links to directories that provide the names of DNR and cooperating foresters serving the state’s landowners (http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/private/foresters/ ); links to information about financial assistance to help cover the cost of forestry practices and to reduce property taxes (http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/private/financial/ ); links to educational programs (http://wisconsinforestry.org/calendar.php) ; links to information that will help a property become “Firewise” (http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/fire/prevention/wui/index.htm and http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/fire/prevention/firewise/ ); and links to landowner organizations? Looking for information on how to attract birds and other wildlife to your land? Are you stumped how you can order aerial photos of your property or whether you can burn waste on your land? Are you looking for information on how to manage your woodlands for coastal trout streams? The answers are at the website.
