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The Forest Stewardship Program is a cooperative effort between
the Kansas
Forest Service and the USDA Forest Service encouraging private
landowners to actively manage their forests and related resources, and to
keep these lands in productive, healthy condition for current and future
generations. It aims to increase the economic,
environmental and social benefits of private forestland by enhancing and
protecting timber, wildlife, soil, water, recreation, and aesthetics.
Program direction is provided by the
State Forest Stewardship
Coordinating Committee (PDF), whose 17 members represent a broad spectrum of
both government agencies and private organizations who share
responsibility for the state’s forest resources. The Coordinating Committee has
developed a five-year State Forest Stewardship Plan (PDF) that provides the
frame work for the implementation of the Forest Stewardship Program in
Kansas.
"Helping private landowners develop plans for the
sustainable management of their forests"
To accomplish program goals professional forestry expertise is offered
to landowners to help them develop
Forest Stewardship Plans (PDF)
for their property free of charge. Landowners may request assistance through
their
District Forester.
Forest Stewardship Awards Program:
Each year the Kansas Forest Service has the opportunity to recognize
landowners who are actively implementing their Forest Stewardship plans
through the Forest Stewardship Awards Program. This program recognizes
landowners on a district level and selects one district award winner to
be the State Forest Stewardship Landowner of the Year. Nominations must
be received by the Rural Forestry Coordinator by January 31st each year. Award winners receive a sign, certificate or walnut plaque.
If you know of a landowner deserving to be nominated for the Forest
Stewardship Awards Program, or you yourself would like to be nominated,
please contact your District Forester
and let them know.
Educating forest landowners is an important part of the Forest
Stewardship Program. Each year a
Fall Forestry Field Day provides a
variety of forestry educational opportunities to help landowners manage
their woodlands and tree plantings. Often the Field Day is hosted on the
property of the State Forest Stewardship Landowner of the Year.
Additional information about the Forest Stewardship Program may be found
at the USDA Forest Service
National
Forest Stewardship Program website. |