Forest Uses II

Forest management activities help us use the forest to achieve our goals. Those goals are different for different people. Most private landowners manage their forest properties for a combination of recreation, wildlife habitat and timber income.

To achieve these goals landowners periodically sell timber and harvest trees. When harvesting trees, foresters and loggers follow voluntary “Best Management Practices” (BMPs) so that when trees are harvested the soil and water quality is protected. They also work to provide reforestation so that the forest is replaced when it’s harvested.

By following BMPs landowners help sustain the forest for the future. That is the goal of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.

Explore the Best Management Practices and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative by following the links below.

Web Links:

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative

Most states sponsor the SFI program. Contact your state forestry agency to learn about SFI in your state. Here are a few state examples.

Forestry Best Management Practices for Illinois

Virginia’s Best Management Practices