If you are looking to manage forestland for timber, wildlife, recreation, or soil and water conservation, the Forest Stewardship Program may be right for you. The program can help with multiple-use goals in the management of your forestland. Forest stewardship is a commitment to your land for now and for the future.
The Forest Stewardship Program recognizes and rewards landowners that are managing their forestlands according to a multiple-use concept. The Forest Stewardship Program is also a means by which a landowner has access to resource professionals to assist them in obtaining a written forest management plan addressing multiple-use management.
Benefits of Participation
- A prepared management plan at no cost to a landowner
- Improved income opportunities
- Recognition of your efforts with a certificate and sign
- Knowledge about natural resource management and assistance for many management practices
- Enhancement of wildlife through habitat protection and improvements
- Protection against soil erosion and protection of water quality
- Conservation of water and soil resources for now and the future
- Assurance of a future supply of timber for forest products
- Restoration and management of wetlands
- Recreational opportunities
- Maintenance and enhancement of the beauty of Arkansas’ forests and natural diversity
- Maintenance of unique historical and geological features
Who is eligible?
You are! If you are a private landowner and own a minimum of 10 acres of forests and you want to manage the land for its many resources, the Arkansas Forest Stewardship Program is for you.
How does a landowner become a forest steward?
- Fill out the Stewardship Program application or contact a cooperating agency.
- Upon receipt of the application at the district Forestry Division office, you will be contacted.
- Upon entering the program, you and a multi-disciplinary team of natural resource professionals will develop a forest management plan.
- You will receive technical assistance toward the implementation of your management plan.
- After significant progress in implementing your plan, you will be nominated by a resource professional.
- Your nomination will be approved or disapproved by the State Planning Committee.
- If approved, you become a certified forest steward and receive a certificate and a sign for the forestland.
Cooperating Agencies
- Arkansas Department of Agriculture
- Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
- Arkansas Historic Preservation Program
- Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission
- University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
- United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency
- United States Forest Service
- United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service
These agencies offer their programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or handicap, and are Equal Opportunity Employers.