Wisconsin has made great strides in private forest landowner engagement—more than 21,000 new landowners have received a property visit from a professional forester since 2018. These landowners who have received personalized information about their property, as well as new landowners who are invested in the future of their property, are poised to take action in their woods. The Wisconsin Stewardship Plan Project helps Wisconsin landowners get a Forest Stewardship Plan for their woodlands. The project can connect landowners with a forester, if needed, and covers the cost of the Forest Stewardship Plan.
Project Goals
The Wisconsin Stewardship Plan Project will increase the number of landowners who follow a Forest Stewardship Plan for their property and increase forest health across Wisconsin. By getting a Forest Stewardship plan, landowners will be able to identify goals for their property, plan for the future of their land, and implement management activities on their land. This will significantly increase the amount of land eligible for financial assistance programs at the state and federal level, which enables the completion of sustainable forestry management practices across the state.
If you sign up on or after October 1, 2024, your plan will be part of our 2025 plan writing cycle, which means foresters have until December 1, 2025, to write your plan. It is possible you will receive the plan earlier, but that is dependent on the availability of the forester you are assigned.
Upcoming Events
In March 2025, we will hold a pair of webinars to help landowners take action after getting a forest stewardship plan. Register to attend to learn how to apply to cost-share programs and hire a natural resource professional.
If you have questions about the Wisconsin Stewardship Plan Project, contact:
Johanna Desprez
Natural Resources Educator
johanna.desprez@wisc.edu
The Wisconsin Stewardship Plan Project is a partnership between the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and UW–Madison Extension. It is funded in part by a grant from the USDA Forest Service.
Page last updated February 2025.