Texas A&M Forest Service (TFS)
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About the Forest Stewardship Program
The Forest Stewardship Program, administered by Texas A&M Forest Service and their partner, USDA Forest Service, provides technical assistance to landowners who wish to sustainably manage their forested property. There is no cost to the landowner for assistance or forest plan preparation. More than 8,000 FSP plans have been created since FSP began in 1991, enrolling more than 1.4 million acres of Texas forests.
Foresters help landowners tailor a management plan to their goals and unique forestland. This includes managing forested wetlands that may be part of the forest system. The management plan is a 10-year course of action with step-by-step measures the landowner can take to increase productivity on their land, now and for the future. Water quality, wildlife habitat, and outdoor recreational opportunities may also be improved. Texas forestland owners recognize the importance of forest stewardship: 95% of all FSP plans have been implemented according to Texas A&M Forest Service.
Forest Stewardship Management Plan
Note that FSP does not assist landowner with implementation of the FSP plan. The plan will likely include practices such as tree planting, mechanical site preparation, herbicide application, and prescribed burning. If the landowner wishes to contract the management and implementation of these measures, forestry vendors providing these services are listed in the link below.
Because they are based on approved management practices, FSP plans can serve as a springboard for a landowner to apply for Federal, State, or local conservation financial assistance or cost-share programs to assist with implementation costs. Additionally, many appraisal districts require some type of management plan to receive special property tax appraisals (much lower than market value). FSP may meet this tax valuation need for landowners.
Getting Started:
Contact a Texas A&M Forest Service forester near you about the FSP and your forestland management objectives.
- Find your local TFS forester for landowner assistance
- Texas A&M Forest Service maintains a list of forestry services vendors operating in East Texas
- Texas A&M Forest Service maintains a list of forestry consultants operating in East Texas
- Find Certified Foresters and Loggers at TFS Forest Landowner Resources webpage
