Learn about Woodland Stewardship
Learn About Woodland Stewardship
Welcome to our learning hub for all things related to stewarding Wisconsin woodlands! This learning hub includes webpages that will help you learn about your land and key woodland stewardship concepts, as well as webpages about the various people, organizations, and programs who can provide financial and technical assistance on your stewardship journey.
Woodland stewardship topics
Click a topic below to explore whatever interests you, or browse our full list of woodland stewardship learning pages.
- Be Fire-Aware
- Enjoy Recreation in Your Woods
- Farming with Trees (Agroforestry)
- Invasive Plants
- Pests and Diseases
- The Changing Climate and Wisconsin’s Forests
- Protecting Your Investment
- Tree Identification
- Timber Sales: Harvest and Sell Trees with Success
- Plant and Care for New Trees
- Create Wildlife Habitat in Your Woods
- Working with a Chainsaw in Your Woods
- Beyond Timber: Grow and Gather in Your Woods
Explore all learning hub webpages
People, organizations, and programs that can provide assistance
Key people, organizations, and programs
Are you looking for assistance with stewarding your woodland but don’t know what your options are? This page gives an overview of how to work with foresters and loggers, the benefits of a forest stewardship plan, state and federal financial assistance programs, and how to connect with other professionals and landowners.
Foresters
A forester is a trained professional with at least a bachelor’s degree who implements established forestry practices to address the goals and interests of the landowners they work with. Public and private foresters can help you cost-effectively steward your woods to meet your goals for the land.
Forest stewardship plans
A forest stewardship plan is basically a blueprint for your forested property. It lays out what you want to achieve as a woodland owner and gives you a roadmap to get there for the next 10-25 years. It helps you make smart decisions about things like conservation, timber harvesting, creating wildlife habitat, and more so that your forest stays healthy and productive in the future.
Managing small woodlots
If you have anywhere from 5 to 20 acres of woodland, we consider that to be a small woodlot. Although some opportunities are only available for larger acreages, you still have a plethora of management projects to consider! Watch recordings of our classes specifically for small woodlot owners.
More assistance webpages coming soon!
If you have feedback on this webpage, fill out this form. If you have a question that you can’t find the answer to, feel free to contact us at forestry@extension.wisc.edu.
Page last updated May 2026.
Additional photo credits:
- Tree planting: Wisconsin DNR
- Mike Demchik looking at buckthorn: Heike C. O’Day
- Ash tree marked for removal: Scott Hershberger, CC BY-NC 4.0
- Landowners and professionals at a conference: Eli Willard
- Person using a chainsaw: Sarah Monson Photography
- Forester surveying a forest: Jeff Martin, Wisconsin DNR
- People walking on a trail: Wisconsin DNR