Forest Stewardship Programs

Landowners wanting to integrate the management of a variety of resources, including timber, may want to become involved in a forest stewardship program.

The Forest Stewardship Program is a nationwide program designed to assist landowners through education, technical assistance, and, in some cases, financial assistance. The goal of the program is to develop and implement a stewardship plan that provides an organized and integrated approach for managing forests for timber productions, habitats for fish and wildlife, protection of soil and water resources, and providing aesthetics and recreation.

Many landowners hire a consultant to prepare their plan or take advantage of advice from a Stewardship Forester or Wildlife Biologist. Others participate in Forest Stewardship Planning Workshops in which they learn to develop their own plan with instruction from natural resource professionals. Planning assistance and information is also available from the SCCD Forester Alan Hawson at Alan-Hawson@sccd.org or (509) 535-7274.

The Backyard Forest Stewardship Program, sponsored by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, is designed for people who live in wooded areas or own undeveloped forest land. The program assists landowners in keeping their forests healthy, improving wildlife habitat, and keeping their home safe from wildfires.

The Forest Land Enhancement Program is a federally funded program that works in conjunction with the Forest Stewardship Program. The program provides education, advice and financial assistance to non-industrial private forest landowners to develop and implement forest stewardship plans.

The Family Forest Fish Passage Program is a cost-share program that helps small forest landowners correct fish passage barriers on their forestlands.

The Forest Riparian Easement Program compensates eligible small forest landowners in exchange for protecting riparian habitat. Under the program, the landowner is required to leave the timber along streams unharvested to protect forest habitat and fish. Landowners cannot cut or remove the qualifying timber during the easement period. The landowner still owns the property and retains full access, but has “leased” the trees and their associated riparian function to the state.