Forest Stewardship
Forest Stewardship Program
The New Mexico Forest Stewardship Program assists private forest landowners to manage their forest and related resources more actively; keep their lands in a productive and healthy condition; and increase the economic and environmental benefits.
The technical assistance is available to landowners and land managers interested in achieving multiple benefits from their land. The program also recognizes landowners who apply good stewardship practices on their forested land.
The program is managed in concert with the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USFS) State and Private Cooperative Forestry Program. Forestry agencies across the country receive funding from the USFS to provide the program in their state.
Why Participate?
In New Mexico, participation in the program will help you become a better manager of your forested property or land suitable for growing trees. Good stewardship will provide diversified wildlife habitats, family recreation, improved soil and water quality, as well as ensuring adequate timber supplies and maintaining options for the future.
Program Elements
Foresters from New Mexico State Forestry are available to assist private landowners with technical information on many forest-related topics including advice on:
- Forest management planning
- Forest treatments for various objectives
- Individual tree health and insect and disease questions
- Tree planting recommendations
- Grants and funding available to assist landowners
A forest stewardship plan must also be developed by a resource professional and approved by the State Forester. Stewardship practices must be maintained for 10 years. The management plan will address landowner objectives, fish and wildlife, threatened and endangered species, soil, water, wetlands, recreation, aesthetics, cultural resources, and timber resources for the property. Forest stewardship and management plan outlines and landowner templates are available in PDF format.
There are no minimum/maximum limits on parcel size for requesting assistance. You can take the first step by contacting your local Forestry Division district office listed below or email us at emnrd.forestry@emnrd.nm.gov.
You may also be interested in the Tree Farm Program. Click here for more information.
Forest Stewardship Committee
Each State Forester or equivalent State official must establish a State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee, administered by the State Forester or designee thereof (16 U.S.C. 2113(b)). The committee addresses stewardship planning, implementation concerns, and overall program coordination.
The composition of the committee follows federal guidelines for the advisory committee. Periodic changes occur in agency representation as staff changes. The Committee convenes at least three times annually to address stewardship planning and implementation concerns and overall program coordination.
Members of the Committee are: NM Forestry Division, USDA Forest Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA consolidated Farm Services Agency, NM Cooperative Extension Service, NM Soil and Water Conservation Commission, NM Association of Conservation Districts, US Forest Industries, NM Tree Farm Committee, NM Wildlife Federation, NM Department of Game & Fish, USDI Bureau of Indian Affairs, NM State University, Jemez Pueblo, and Consulting Foresters.
The Committee’s primary functions are:
- To provide advice and recommendations to the State Forester concerning the implementation of the Forest Stewardship Program, and other associated landowner assistance and cost-share programs, including the Forest Health Initiative (FHI) program.
- To provide technical assistance and recommendations concerning the development, implementation, and updating of the state-wide assessment and resource strategy.
- To review and prioritize rank potential Legacy program conservation easement proposals for submission nationally.
Contact your local district office for more information.
Funding for this program is provided by the USDA Forest Service. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.