The type of forestry assistance desired by a landowner will vary. If you are a
landowner just beginning to manage your forest land, you may first want to seek
assistance from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources-Division of Forestry.
A state forester will be able to assist you in identifying your management
objectives. The amount of time that a state forester can spend on your property,
however, is limited. Landowners of large properties or those contemplating a timber
harvest may want to seek assistance from an industry forester or a private
consulting forester.
Some sources of forestry assistance available to the forest landowners of Minnesota
are described below.
Private Sources:
Forest industry programs will assist forest landowners in developing a forest
management plan specific for their property. There is no fee and landowners retain
their rights to make implementation decisions. In return for company services, a
landowner may be asked to grant the company the right to purchase timber for a
specified time. Blandin, Boise, Potlatch and Sappi offer a landowners
assistance program. For more information on individual company programs contact:
UPM Blandin Lands and Forestry
Woodland Management Assistance Program
PO Box 407
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
218/327-6380
Boise, Inc
Private Forest Management Program
400 Third Avenue East
International Falls, MN
218/285-5650
Potlatch Forest Products Corp.
50518 Co. Road 45
Bemidji, MN 56601
218/759-4302
Sappi Fine Paper
Ross Korpela
20 North 22nd Street
218/879-2300
Forestry Consultants provide a wide range of services that include timber
appraisals, marketing assistance, management plans, timber stand improvement,
tree planting and pest management. An advantage of a consulting forester is that
he is working for you and has no conflicts of interests with timber industry or
public agencies. Consultant fees are based on an hourly rate, a percentage, or
other basis mutually agreed upon by the landowner and consultant. The Minnesota
Association of Consulting Foresters can furnish a list of its members. To receive
a listing contact:
Chris Brokl, President
Minnesota Association of Consulting Foresters
4928 Bittersweet Road N.E.,
P.O. Box 1171
Bemidji, MN 56619
218/586-2887
Public Sources:
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry provides
information and technical assistance to private forest landowners. There are
generally no charges for DNR services, however, fees may be charged for services
that pertain to timber sales. DNR services are limited to four days per ownership
per year. Local DNR offices are usually listed in the telephone directory under
"Minnesota." You may also contact:
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Division of Forestry
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-4044
651/259-5261 or 888/646-6367
Minnesota Extension Service can provide you with information on a wide variety of forestry topics. There is an extension office in every county. The county extension agent can help you find educational materials or refer you to a specialist. Your county extension agent can be found in the telephone directory under the county name. You may also contact:
Forest Resource Extension
University of Minnesota
116 Green Hall
St. Paul, MN 55108
612/624-3020
Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) help the public locate resource information and provide technical assistance to woodland owners. The SWCD additionally provides funding for access roads, firebreaks, and other activities. For more information, contact the local SWCD office listed in the telephone directory under either U.S. or County Government.
Associations:
The Minnesota Tree Farm System is part of the American Tree Farm System. Landowners who become members of the Tree Farm System work with a professional forester to develop a forest management plan for their woodland. A forester will then inspect the woodland every five years and update the forest management plan accordingly. In return the forest landowner agrees to follow the plan and protect the woodland from fire, disease, and grazing. This service is offered at no cost. For more information contact:
Minnesota Tree Farm Committee
903 Medical Arts Building
324 West Superior Street
Duluth, MN 55802
218/722-5013
The Minnesota Forestry Association is a landowner member association that promotes intensive forest management to achieve greater production of timber products, forest wildlife, and expanded recreational opportunities. Members receive the publication Minnesota Forests and may attend periodic educational programs on forest management. For more information contact:
Minnesota Forestry Association
P.O. Box 496
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Phone: 1-800-821-TREE (8733)
www.mnforest.com
