Forestry Services & Programs

Barry Conservation District is here to help you take care of your forested land through teaching the community about forests, selling native trees each year, and encouraging wise use of forest resources.

It doesn't matter if you want to use your forest for recreation, wildlife habitat, or harvesting trees, we can give the advice you need to do it well.

The Forestry Assistance Program (FAP) is funded by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and is implemented by Michigan Conservation Districts so forestry information and assistance can be delivered to landowners at the local level.

Barry Conservation District houses SW Michigan’s FAP Forester who can provide technical assistance to landowners with property located in Allegan, Barry, Calhoun, Eaton, Ionia, Kalamazoo, Kent, Ottawa, and Van Buren Counties.

If you own forested property, schedule a site visit with our forester to discuss goals for your property and answer questions about forest management options, wildlife habitat, timber harvesting, forest ecology, forest pests and diseases.

The forester can also assist landowners prepare an application to enroll in the Qualified Forest Program (QFP), an MDARD program that encourages private forestland owners to manage their land in an economically viable and environmentally sustainable manner. Landowners receive an exemption from local school operating taxes and/or exemption from “uncapping” the taxable value upon transfer in ownership.

Basic QFP eligibility requirements:

• Must own a forested parcel of at least 20 acres

• If your forested parcel is 20-39 acres, at least 80% must be productive (capable of producing ≥ 20 cubic ft of wood per acre, per year).

• If your forested parcel is at least 40 acres, at least 50% must be capable of producing ≥ 20 cubic ft of wood per acre, per year.

• Hire a qualified forester to write a management plan. A qualified forester must be:

  • Certified by the Society of American Foresters, a Forest Stewardship Plan writer, a Technical Service Provider registered with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for Forest Management Plan Development, a registered forester, a forester with Michigan Association of Consulting Foresters

Some benefits of QFP include:

• Maximum 18 mill reduction of school property taxes

• Public access on your land is not required

• Improve your forest management and contribute to regional economy by practicing sustainable timber harvesting