MICHIGAN FORESTS FOREVER TEACHERS GUIDE

A FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN OUTLINE

The following outline was modified from an example developed by Michigan Conservation Districts.  Each element in the outline does not necessarily need to be addressed, as some items may not be relevant in a particular forest situation.  This outline can serve as a tool to consider as many natural facets as possible. 

1.     Who is the forest owner?   Landowner’s name, address, and other contact information

2.     Where is the property?   Legal description and directions on how to get to the property.   Where does the property into the landscape picture?  Watersheds?  Neighboring ownerships? 

3.     What are the forest objectives?  Here is where you list what is envisioned for the future and what the landowner wants out of the property.

4.     What do they have?  This is where the description of the natural resources fits in, such as the timber inventory, signs of wildlife, endangered resources, roads, soils, etc. 

      Current land cover - percent forest, open wetland, old field, etc.
Plant and animal species present or potentially present (wildlife habitat associations)
Soil maps and descriptions, productivity, erosion potential, etc.
Property history/Regional History - glacial/geologic features, pre-settlement conditions, agricultural/logging history, etc.
Watershed of occurrence and conditions of that watershed (try www.eco2eco.net for large-scale maps)
Wildlife habitat conditions (general or specific to objectives)
General timber stand conditions (average age, basal area, volumes, species, etc.)
Surface water conditions (streams, ponds, etc.)
Copy of air photo (from soil survey, Internet, other source)
Pre-printed maps  (from the plat book, Internet, other source)
Unique features of property (e.g. endangered species, seeps, vernal pools, old growth, grasslands, dunes, etc…)

5.     What management options are there? 

      Silvicultural options and/or habitat treatments
Tree/shrub/forb/grass plantings
Economics vs. habitat consideration
BMPs and other conservation practices
Health and potential productivity
Timber harvest management systems
Land use changes
Native Species 

6.     Who might serve as information resources for this property? 

      County Conservation District
      Conservation groups (e.g. Ruffed Grouse Society, Ducks Unlimited, Isaac Walton League)
      Michigan DNR
      Michigan DEQ (Dept of Environmental Quality)
      Natural Resource Conservation Service
      U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
      MSU Extension
      Forestry/wildlife consultants
      Forest industry foresters/loggers
      Tree and conservation nurseries
      Engineers
      Others?   

7.     What might you be able to do by yourself?  What about information and education handouts and flyers? 

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	This website was developed and created by Michigan State University Extension for the teachers of the State of Michigan.  The website is maintained by the Delta-Schoolcraft Independent School District in support of the Michigan Forests Forever CD-ROM from the Michigan Forest Resource Alliance.

Page Name:  Curriculum/SupportDocs/OutlinePlan.htm
Please provide comments to Bill Cook:  cookwi@msu.edu or 786-1575   

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