In North Carolina, 70% of private forestland, or 10.5 million acres, is owned by individuals and families, making them the largest group of forest owners in our state. Individual landowners are critical to the conservation and sustainability of North Carolina forests, and the N.C. Forest Service provides many programs and services to assist landowners with actively managing woodlands. N.C. Forest Service Yancey County Ranger Frank Blankenship said, “Most individual landowners in North Carolina own woodlands for conservation, wildlife and beauty. In Yancey County, our local N.C. Forest Service office can help landowners identify objectives for actively managing forestland and benefit from the many programs and services available to them, which really starts with a woodland plan.”
A woodland plan, also known as a forest management plan, is customized for a landowner’s unique property and interests and is a roadmap for achieving the landowner’s goals and objectives. There are numerous financial and environmental benefits attached to a woodland plan. “Landowners may be able to take advantage of significant property tax savings through the present use value program, and cost share assistance for forestry practices like tree-planting and site preparation can really help with out-of-pocket expenses,” added Blankenship.
Woodland plans also help landowners manage for wildlife and income. The N.C. Forest Service offers a variety of woodland plans for landowners. Forest management and forest stewardship plans can provide comprehensive recommendations for managing woodlands. Simpler practice plans can focus on specific management activities such as harvests, tree planting and prescribed burning. “Many landowners work hard for their land without realizing that the land could be working harder for them. Our Yancey County office takes pride in helping landowners with that and with leaving a legacy for their families. It starts with that woodland plan. Contact us, and we’ll get you started.” For more information about woodland plans, visit www.ncforestservice.gov/Managing_your_forest/why_do_i_need_a_plan.htm. To contact the N.C. Forest Service Yancey County office, call 828-682-6788 or email Yancey.ncfs@ncagr.gov.
