University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

Forestry Outreach Programs

Master Woodland Steward Program

What will I learn?

 The Master Woodland Steward Program combines classroom instruction and outdoor experiences to teach participants the basics of forest ecology and silviculture, managing for aesthetics, recreation, and wildlife habitat, planning a successful timber harvest, business decision and planning tools, sources of technical and financial assistance as well as community outreach techniques.

Participants in the Master Woodland Steward program receive more than 30 hours of instruction from University of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource specialists.

Topics that are covered as a part of the program include...

Stewardship, Sustainability, and Forest Management Planning

1. Become aware of trends and issues in private woodlands ownership.

2. Understand stewardship planning and the components of a personalized woodland stewardship plan based upon landowner objectives.

Forest Measurements

1. Learn how to use a dichotomous key to identify common woodland vegetation.

2. Become familiar with basic field forest measurement and sampling techniques.

Forest Processes 

1. Understand the basic ecological mechanisms that determine biological composition, structure, and function in forest ecosystems. 

2. Understand that forests are not static and that change is part of all functions within a forest. 

3. Understand the basic concepts of forest succession and regeneration. 

4. Become familiar with forest types and stand regeneration common to their local area.

5. Understand how silvicultural systems can be used to manipulate forest succession.

Conducting a Successful Timber Harvest

1. Be familiar with the laws, permit requirements, and voluntary guidelines (BMPs) applicable in timber harvesting. 

2. Be familiar with harvesting safety standards and understand the issues of liability in timber harvesting. 

3. Understand the types, selling, and pricing of wood products removed during timber harvesting.

Woodlands and Wildlife Management 

1. Become familiar with basic ecological concepts as they relate to wildlife ecology. Learn basic wildlife management techniques.

2. Learn how to identify, inventory, and monitor the wildlife species living on or visiting their land. 

3. Understand the relationship between various land use decisions and wildlife populations.

Aesthetics, Recreation, and Specialty products from your woods 

1. Understand how management decisions can enhance or diminish scenic beauty and recognize the likely aesthetic impact of various management activities. 

2. Discover how recreation and the harvest of specialty forest products can impact their woodland management and enjoyment. 

3. Understand the legal responsibilities resulting from owning woodlands made available for public recreation.

Woodland Management Business Decisions 

1. Become familiar with financial record keeping, income tax, and cost-share programs available in Wisconsin.

2. Become familiar with basic financial analysis tools and how they apply to sustainable forest management. 

3. Become familiar with methods of determining the value of woodland for timber management and how to preserve it by estate planning, easement purchase, sale, or donation. 

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