Assistance for Forest Owners

A forester is a specialist with advanced education, using his or her abilities and knowledge of forestry and natural sciences to provide professional forestry services to private individuals, corporate and government entities. Whatever your goals are for your woodlot, a professional forester can help. A forester can provide you with the technical expertise to help with a variety of services including improving conducting a timber sale, creating forest trails, creating wildlife habitat, or planting trees. The type of forester you should choose will depend on the type of service and complexity of the service you are interested in.

DEC Foresters - Located throughout the state, DEC foresters are available upon request, depending on availability to help landowners get started managing their land by creating a basic stewardship plan and providing technical assistance at no cost.

Consulting and Industrial Foresters- Independent individuals and small businesses provide a wide array of forestry services to landowners. The DEC Cooperating Forester Program provides a list of consulting and industrial foresters who can help you meet your forestry goals. These foresters charge a fee and are able to provide a wide array of forestry services that complement the free service provided by DEC foresters.

Visit the Find a Forester page for more information.

Master Forest Owner Program

• Purpose: The New York Master Forester Owner (MFO) program, with over 200 volunteers, is coordinated by Cornell Cooperative Extension. The goal of the program is to provide private, nonindustrial woodlot owners with the information and encouragement necessary to manage their woodlot holdings wisely.
• Activities: Volunteers arrange free, half-day woodlot visits to discuss sources of information and assistance. Contact: website: www.cornellmfo.info, for a visit or to become an MFO, please contact the Regional Director for your county.
• Regional Directors:
  • Brett Chedzoy, [email protected], 607-535-7161; Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins
  • Kristina Ferrare, [email protected], 315-424-9485; Cayuga, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, St. Lawrence
  • Ron Frisbee, [email protected], 518-622-9820; Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Otsego, Putnam, Rockland, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester
  • Laurel Gailor, [email protected], 518-885-8995; Albany, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren, Washington
  • Emily Staychock, [email protected], 315-536-5123; Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates
• Learn more about the Master Owner Forest Program by visiting their website.

Cornell Cooperative Extension County Offices

• A complete list of the CCE County Offices and the programs they administer can also be found on their website.

Purpose: To foster public awareness and appreciation for forest stewardship and the contribution forests make to the enhancement of rural and urban environments; to encourage the highest attainable level of management of forestland to meet landowner goals; to improve contact between landowners, professional foresters, and timber harvesters; to protect and manage, in a manner that best serves the well-being of the people, both the human and forest resources on public lands placed under the jurisdiction of the Division; and to highlight the obligations incumbent upon the stewards and users of New York forestlands.

Activities: In accordance with the New York Cooperative Forest Management Act, State Service Foresters will provide on-site assistance with forest management (advice and planning), establishment of forest plantations, care of immature stands, and, provide advice on the marketing of timber products. The DEC sponsors the NYS Cooperating Forester Program (private foresters can provide extensive individual services, adhere to the NYS forestry best management practices (BMP), and adhere to the Society of American Foresters Code of Ethics) and the NYS Cooperating Timber Harvester Program.

Visit the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation website to learn more.

Contact: Bureau of Private Land Services - Central Offi ce, Albany, 518-457-7370, Regional offices listed below

DEC Regional Forestry Offices

Purpose: Soil and Water Conservation Districts are special purpose districts created and authorized under state law to develop and carry out a program of soil, water, and related natural resource conservation programs. There are 58 SWCDs in New York - one in each county, including the five boroughs of New York City.

Activities: SWCDs provide technical assistance to residents, landowners and units of government on soil and water related issues. They also coordinate and provide access to a number of federal, state and where applicable, local conservation programs. Woodland services provided by individual districts vary depending on local needs. Some districts offer services in woodland management in cooperation with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, especially in the area of erosion control during timber harvesting operations.

Visit the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets Soil and Water Conservation website to learn more.

Purpose: To provide comprehensive and timely public service programs on environmental science and forestry, involving research, instruction, and public information activities.

Activities: The College offers curricula leading to various professional degrees, such as forestry, environmental and forest biology, wood products, and forest technology. The College communicates environmental and forestry knowledge to a variety of off-campus clientele, including forest-related businesses, industries, and landowners through its public service programs. These programs include continuing education, conferences, and extension. A number of forestry publications and films are also available upon request.

Visit the SUNY ESF website to learn more.

Contact: (315) 470-6600

Purpose: To administer several national programs which involve forest management such as the Agricultural Conservation Program (ACP), the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), and the Forestry Incentives Program (FIP). The Stewardship Incentives Program (SIP) is administered by the DEC Division of Lands & Forests for the Forest Service and assistance is provided by FSA.

Activities: Forest owners who meet eligibility requirements of various programs may be reimbursed for costs incurred in select forest management practices such as planting trees, wildlife management, improving stands by thinning, and preparing sites for natural regeneration.

Visit the USDA Farm Service Agency website to learn more.

State Contact: USDA FSA. 441 S. Salina St., Suite 356, Syracuse, NY 13202, phone: 315-477-6300

Purpose: To manage national forests and grasslands through an ecosystem management approach that integrates ecological integrity with sustainable forestry and agriculture. The forests are managed for appropriate uses including grazing, timber, wildlife, outdoor recreation, and watershed protection. Additional goals are: to conduct research in the entire field of forestry and wild land management; to encourage conservation education programs; and to cooperate with the state and private landowners in the application of sound management practices.

Activities: Through State and private forestry programs, and regional Forest Experiment Stations, the Forest Service develops and distributes general and technical forest information publications. In addition, regional personnel often give presentations at professional and educational seminars. The Finger Lakes National Forest in Schuyler & Seneca Counties is the only National Forest in the state of New York. The Forest is open to the public for a variety of outdoor recreation activities and sponsors environmental education programs for local schools and youth groups. Limited timber, firewood harvesting permits, and grazing rights are issued.

Visit the USDA Forest Service website to learn more.

Contact: Technical forest information publications, contact the State and Private Forestry Program, USDA Forest Service, Cooperative Forestry, P.O. Box 96090, Washington D.C., 20090, phone: 202-205-1389

Purpose: To take a comprehensive approach to conservation planning and provide individuals and communities with technical advice and assistance to solve natural resource challenges on the nation’s private lands- -reducing soil erosion, improving soil health, protecting water quality and supply, conserving wetlands, and providing fish and wildlife habitat.

Activities: NRCS foresters prepare guides, specifications, and information sheets on forest soil conservation, and train field staff in applying practices with complete conservation plans. The NRCS works closely with the County Soil and Water Conservation Districts (located at most NRCS offices) which in some cases offer technical forest management services under the direction of NYS DEC foresters. NRCS also administers a Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) program; six RC&Ds in New York have active forestry committees which promote the development of the state’s forest resources.

Visit the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service website to learn more.