Helpful Links

American Forests

American Tree Farm

Association of Consulting
Foresters of America, Inc.

Forest Landowners Guide
to the Internet

Indiana Department of Natural
Resources, Division of Forestry

Indiana Nut Growers
Association

Indiana Christmas
Tree Growers Association

Indiana Woodland Steward

Natural Resources
Conservation Service

National Woodland
Owners Association

Purdue University, Department
of Forestry & Natural Resources

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

USDA Forest Service

Are you ready to manage your forest but aren't sure you have the time, funds, or knowledge to do it? Not a problem. Sources of assistance abound; they are outlined briefly below. More detailed information can be found by using the links and contacts provided.

Technical Assistance

District Foresters, through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Division of Forestry, provide landowners with technical assistance and guidance with their forest management. They can be a wealth of information and can provide you with help to enroll in many of the government cost share programs mentioned below. Clark County's District Forester is Don Stump. He may be contacted at the Clark State Forest office (812) 294-4306 or by email dstump@dnr.state.in.us. Also through IDNR, Division of Fish and Wildlife, District Wildlife Biologists are available to offer assistance in wildlife habitat management projects. Clark County's District Wildlife Biologist is Mark Bennett. He may reached at (812) 849-8546 or by email mbennett@dnr.state.in.us.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical assistance and administers cost share for soil and water protection projects. NRCS also produces the county soil surveys that describe and map soil resources. These are distributed through you local NRCS office.

The U.S. Forest Service is an excellent sources of information for forest and wildlife managers and owners. Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) and Resource Conservation and Development Districts (RC&D) are as well.

There are several private organizations that may help you with your forest management needs. They include The Woodland Steward Institute. This is a coalition of Indiana organizations interested in promoting good forest management. The Indiana Forestry and Woodland Owners Association (IFWOA) promotes forest landowner education through informative annual meetings while the American Tree Farm System provides further opportunities upon enrollment of your forest.

Private consultants and private natural resource professionals provide comprehensive forest and wildlife management services - they will do the work for you - for a fee. The services they offer as well as their fees, may vary somewhat. As with any other venture, it's best to check credentials and ask for references before hiring someone. The Indiana Forestry and Woodland Owners Association's Directory of Professional Foresters may be of help in this respect.

Other Types of Assistance

Cost-share and land rent programs are available through state and federal agencies, and from some private organizations. Types of projects that qualify for these programs are: Tree planting to reforest open areas and streamsides Construction of rural windbreaks Timber stand improvement Fencing to keep livestock out of forest and streamside areas

Unfortunately, demand often exceeds supply where cost-share money is concerned. If you are interested in these programs, plan and apply early. Agencies and organizations offering cost-share and land rent include:

The Classified Forest Program was initiated when Indiana's forests were at an all-time low. IDNR, Division of Forestry, administers the program which allows you to enroll your forest as a Classified Forest and receive a property tax break. There are certain restrictions that must be adhered to in order to receive its benefits, however your forest remains in the program until you or a subsequent owner withdraws it. The Classified Wildlife Habitat Program, administered by the IDNR, Division of Fish and Wildlife, follows a similar format.

Conservation Easements are legal transfers of certain property rights to a second qualifying landowner, who becomes the holder of the conservation easement. Rights most often transferred are development rights, meaning that no owner, present or future, may develop the land to a non-forest use. The Forest Legacy Program and the Indiana Heritage Trust Program are to state administered conservation easement programs in Indiana.

Land Trusts are private organizations formed for specific natural resource protection purposes. The rely to a great extent on donations to acquire easements and to support their operations. The Nature Conservancy is one of Indiana's statewide land trusts; the Clark's Valley Land Trust operates here in Clark County.

Tax Incentives, aside from the Classified Forest and Wildlife Habitat property tax abatement programs, can be found in the federal income tax code. If you purchase forest land and wait at least one year, you can great the timber sale income as a long-term capital gain. Among other benefits of capital gain income, it is taxed at a lower rate than ordinary income.

Expenses directly relate to any type of reforestation activity may qualify you for a tax credit on your federal income tax return. Reforestation expenses include the cost of seedlings or seed, site preparation, labor, fencing for protection from wildlife, and weed control. As we all know, the federal tax code changes constantly. Therefore you should consult with your tax preparer about the current timber income and reforestation expense provisions.

A new option for managing and conserving private forest lands is The Forest Bank. The Bank offers forest owners a guaranteed annual income and quick access to the cash value of their standing timber without the need to liquidate the entire forest. In return for these financial benefits, The Forest Bank receives from the forest landowner a permanent conservation easement that will keep the land as forest for all time. The Bank is available only in limited areas of Indiana at the present time. Contact The Nature Conservancy for more details at (812) 738-2087.

Forest cooperatives help small landowners achieve economies of scale when they market their products, purchase supplies and equipment, and hire services. An association of landowners pooling their resources may accomplish profitably what is not cost-effective or feasible for one single landowner to achieve. Cooperatives have been very successful in developing value-added markets for new or alternative crops. For more information on forest cooperatives contact the Community Forestry Resource Center, (612) 870-3456.

Back To Top

Home || Agriculture || District || Education || Land Trust
Stormwater || Urban
Private Woodland Owners