Forestry/Wildlife Assistance
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Approximately 80% of the Land in Michigan is privately owned. Even in the Upper Peninsula, which contains an abundance of state and national forest, 43% or 3.6 million acres are owned by non-industrial private landowners. Private lands are of significant magnitude to impact forest composition/age and wildlife habitat suitability, however, little effort has been directed towards responsible and sustainable management of forest on private lands. The Forestry Assistance Program (FAP) provides initial professional contact with private landowners who are interested in actively managing their forests. The District Forester can help landowners better understand, plan, manage, protect, and utilize their forest resources. All of our services are at no cost to the landowner and provide excellent contact between professionals and landowners. Our aim is to promote forest resource stewardship in local communities by introducing landowners to forest management and helping them achieve their management goals. 
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Meet our new District Forester!
Benjamin Marchant Ben earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Forest Resources and Conservation from the University of Florida in 2024 while simultaneously earning a certification in Fire Ecology and Management. Upon graduating, Ben and his wife moved back to his home state of Wisconsin, but then found a home in Escanaba. As a Forester with Delta Conservation District, Ben is responsible for promoting forest resources stewardship in local communities by introducing landowners to forest management and helping them achieve their management goals. Ben enjoys spending time at his family cottage, cooking, hunting the extensive public lands the North Woods has to offer, and fishing the many streams and lakes for trout, walleye and panfish. Please stop in the office to meet Ben and see what he can do for you and your land management goals. 
Qualified Forest Program (QFP) Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Non-industrial private forest landowners interested in actively managing their property for timber production should consider enrolling in the Qualified Forest Program. This program is designed to boost Michigan’s economy by providing an incentive for landowners to manage their timber.
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If you have any questions or are interested in managing your property please call (906) 553-7700
-or-
Click here to fill out our contact form
If you have any questions or are interested in managing your property please call (906) 553-7700
-or-
Click here to fill out our contact form
Information and Services we provide:
- Free on-site property evaluation
- Tree and shrub planting recommendations
- Timber sale assistance
- Wildlife habitat recommendations
- Wetland/Environmental assistance
- Tree insect and disease identification
- Forest Stewardship Program
- Commercial Forest Act
- Qualified Forest Program (click for more information)
- Quality deer management
- Land leasing information
- American Tree Farm Program
- Christmas tree management
- Available cost-share programs
Forestry Assistance Program ReferralsThe Forestry Assistance Program works to provide an initial professional contact with landowners who are interested in forest management on their property. Our role is to provide general guidance and information and facilitate referrals to other public and private resource professionals.
Consultants interested in pursuing the projects described below should respond to Delta Conservation District by email within two weeks of this posting. You may include additional relevant information in your responses pertaining to the project. We will then forward all emails received to the landowner. We encourage landowners to contact all of the consultants who reply in a timely fashion, but the choice remains with the individual landowner. Our office will follow up with landowners to ensure they get the assistance they need. Please contact us if you would like more information on any project, we may have other information such as notes, maps, or digital photographs. Email Ben Marchant, District Forester, at [email protected] 2025 Referrals Coming Soon! |
Natural Resource Plan Writers
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Natural Resource Consultants
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