Forest Stewardship Program
馃嚭馃嚫 SD, United States 路 South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Resource Conservation and Forestry Division
Free Forest Stewardship Plan written by state forestry staff, plus technical designs for practices such as windbreaks, living snow fences and wildlife plantings
Through the federal Forest Stewardship Program, South Dakota's Resource Conservation and Forestry Division helps private landowners manage their forest and related resources. Division professionals prepare a stewardship plan free of charge that assesses the property's limits and potential and recommends actions matched to the owner's goals; plans can be folded into farm and ranch conservation plans. Staff also provide technical designs for practices in the plan and information on cost-share. Landowners who complete a plan and carry out at least one practice receive a Stewardship Forest sign, a certificate and a letter from the State Forester. Owners may instead hire a consulting forester, with division approval of the plan and cost-share available for that option.
Who qualifies
Private individuals, groups, corporations, Indian tribes and other private legal entities who own rural land suitable for growing trees or with existing tree cover. Participation is voluntary; no minimum acreage is stated for a staff-written plan.
How to apply
Contact your local Resource Conservation and Forestry office (Pierre 605-773-3623; field offices in Rapid City, Mitchell, Lead, Sioux Falls, Hot Springs and Watertown) or sign up through the landowner assistance form linked on the program page (forms.office.com/g/HzhFusLVNE). No deadline.
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