{"slug":"al-forestry-commission-forest-stewardship-program","name":"Forest Stewardship Program and landowner assistance","provider":{"name":"Alabama Forestry Commission","type":"state"},"organization":null,"country":"US","region":"AL","locality":null,"scope":"regional","audience":["landowner","farmer"],"kind":"technical_assistance","benefit":"Free on-the-ground planning help and a written Stewardship Forest Management Plan from Alabama Forestry Commission foresters for owners of 10 or more forested acres","summary":"The Alabama Forestry Commission's Forest Stewardship Program gives non-industrial private forest landowners free on-the-ground planning assistance and, on request, a written Stewardship Forest Management Plan designed to meet the landowner's objectives. The Commission says all recommended forest management plans and advice are offered at no cost; it typically starts with a stand management recommendation for a specific situation and then a plan for the whole property. Landowners who meet all requirements can earn a Stewardship Forest designation after a field inspection, and can progress toward TREASURE Forest certification. The program is not a cost-share program; cost-share for carrying out a plan may be available through other programs.","eligibility":"Non-industrial private forest landowners committed to active management and stewardship of their forested property for at least ten years. For Stewardship Forest designation a landowner must have 10 acres or more of forest land, a current forest management plan that meets stewardship principles, one primary and one secondary objective, and actively practice multiple-use management in accordance with best management practices.","how_to_apply":"Complete the online application on the Commission's site (Program_Nomination.aspx?type=stewardship) to request a visit from a resource professional, or contact your local Alabama Forestry Commission office through the Office and Employee Directory. State headquarters: (334) 240-9300. No deadline is stated.","url":"https://www.forestry.alabama.gov/Pages/Management/Stewardship.aspx","source_url":"https://www.forestry.alabama.gov/Pages/Management/Stewardship.aspx","season":null,"program_status":"active","lat":null,"lng":null,"data_note":"The 'all plans and advice at no cost' statement comes from the Commission's Professional Forestry Assistance page (forestry.alabama.gov/Pages/Management/ForestAssistance.aspx). Some hands-on services such as prescribed burning and fire lane construction are fee-based.","updated_at":"2026-11-08T00:48:15.030Z","page_url":"https://treerm.org/residents/programs/al-forestry-commission-forest-stewardship-program","markdown_url":"https://treerm.org/residents/programs/al-forestry-commission-forest-stewardship-program.md","license":"CC-BY-4.0"}