Forestry

How to get started?

Did you know approximately 40% of Minnesota’s woodlands are privately owned? Forested lands provide many services to you, and to surrounding communities at the county, state, national, and global scale. By providing habitat for wildlife, clean water, timber and wood products, carbon sequestration, and good air quality, everyone benefits from well managed forests. Your property is an important puzzle piece in the landscape ecology.

Many agencies offer financial assistance programs for landowners in order to assist you with managing your forest to meet your goals whether that be improving wildlife habitat, encouraging fast growth of profitable timber, or ensuring your trees remain healthy for your family and future generations to enjoy. Below are brief summaries of different programs that are commonly utilized by landowners in the area.

The District offers a free site visit and consultation for landowners with land management and tree care questions and concerns.  Ask our Forester your land management and tree care questions including insect, pest, disease, timber harvesting, planting and other landscape questions. We can help identify issues, propose solutions plus explain and navigate the numerous options available for your forest management project.

There are 2 state incentive programs, each needs a Woodland Stewardship Plan registered with the DNR in order to apply.

• A WSP must be written by certified plan preparer (DNR, SWCD or private) 
  • Covers a minimum of 20 acres of land (after homestead exclusion) of which at least 10 acres has or will have trees
  • Valid for 10 years
• Having a WSP written may qualify you to apply for one of the two state incentive programs:
  • SFIA (Sustainable Forest Incentive Act):
    • Sign land into a covenant to not turn it into agriculture or develop it in exchange for annual incentive payments
      • Choose from an 8, 20, or 50 year covenant length
      • Payment rates can be found on the Department of Revenue website
      • Payments are considered taxable income and must be reported on taxes
    • If you sell part or all of the property, the covenant persists under new ownership and the buyers would receive yearly payments after completing a new application.
    • Covenants are perpetual and remain binding until released by the Department of Revenue (a waiting period applies)
    • Contact a SWCD, DNR, or private forester if you would like SFIA application assistance.
    • Visit the Department of Revenue website for more information and to access SFIA application forms
  • 2c Managed Forest Land: 
    • Changes the way your property taxes are classified and is calculated at a rate of 0.65% (0.35% reduction).
    • Land enrolled in 2c cannot be used in agriculture or have structures on it.
    • 2c is a short-term commitment (year-to-year) and does not transfer to a new owner.

What is a Woodland Stewardship Plan?

Woodland Stewardship Plans are formal written plans that provide an overview of the landscape, technical advice, and long-range forest management planning. Plans are tailored to your specific goals and interests while maintaining the sustainability of the landscape. Woodland stewardship plans are an excellent starting point for any woodland owner interested in learning more about their resources and caring for the future of Minnesota forests. 

The District charges a plan writing fee of $300 plus $10 per acre. You can also have a DNR or private forester write the plan if you wish. Be sure they are certified to write a forest stewardship plan if you intend to enroll your acres in a state administered program. Free SFIA application assistance is also offered by the District.

There are also programs that offer landowners financial assistance to complete specific management projects.

• EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentive Program): 
  • Federal program
  • No minimum acreage
  • Apply for funding to complete forest management projects
  • Common Projects:
    • Removing dead balsam fir trees 
    • Planting trees
    • Brush cutting
    • Fencing
    • Pollinator plantings
  • Apply with SWCD or NRCS foresters. Woodland Stewardship Plan writing fee may be waived if eligible.
• DNR Cost-Share Program:
  • No minimum acreage
  • Apply for funding to complete forest management projects
  • Common Projects:
    • Stand harvest/thinning
    • Brush management
    • Removing dead balsam fir trees
    • Drought-death seedling re-planting
  • Apply with a DNR Forester 
• SWCD Cost-Share Program:
  • No minimum acreage
  • May be used to help pay for having a Woodland Stewardship Plan written if in a priority area
  • May also be used for forestry-related practices
  • Common Projects:
    • Removing dead balsam fir trees 
    • Planting trees
    • Invasive species removal
  • Apply with a SWCD forester

What is EQIP?

Environmental Quality Incentives Program, or EQIP, is a federal program that offers financial assistance to landowners wanting to manage natural resources or install sustainable land use equipment or strategies. Our foresters work closely with the USDA- Natural Resource Conservation Service to assist local landowners in applying for this program. 

Contact our District Forester to learn more.

Tristan Nelson

(218) 288-6146

tristan@nslswcd.org

Compare Program Options

Additional Resources:

Tree Care

• Woodlot Harvesting
• What’s Wrong with My Plant?
• Great Lakes Pollinator Plant List
• My Minnesota Woods
• Woodland Stewardship: A Practical Guide for Midwestern Landowners, 3rd Edition
• Minnesota Forestry Association

Firewise Homes/Cabins

• Arrowhead Fire Adapted Communities
• Tips on Debris Burning
• Wildfire Guidance for Home & Business Owners
• National Fire Protection Association

Forestry Programs

• 2c Managed Forest Lands Factsheet
• Sustainable Forest Incentive Act (SFIA) Factsheet
• St. Louis County Assessor (handles application and tracking for both SFIA and 2c)
• Minnesota Department of Revenue Sustainable Forest Incentive Act
• Woodland Stewardship Plan Writers
• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
• Urban and Community Forestry