Part 1 - Programs to Consider for Your Private Woodland.

As landowners ourselves, we at Midwest Lifestyle Properties seek to keep our hunting properties in peak condition. Knowing what to do, and how to do it, is half the battle. We’d like to share with you a few programs from the Wisconsin DNR that promote your wooded land through conservation and forestry. Here are a few programs to consider for your private woodland:

1. Wisconsin Forest Landowner Grant Program
2. Managed Forest Law Program
3. Forest Crop Law
4. Woodland Tax Law
5. Forest Certification
6. Wisconsin Forestry Legacy Program
7. Harvesting Your Woods

A GREAT PLACE TO START

Wisconsin Forest Landowner Grant Program is a great place for private woodland owners to get their start. The WFLGP is a cost-share program offered by the Wisconsin DNR. This program assists woodland owners in the protection and enhancement of their private woodlands. The program reimburses woodland owners up to 50% of the cost of DNR-approved forestry practices.

You are eligible for the WFLGP if you meet the following criteria:

1. You are a private woodland owner- NON-Industrial
2. Own at a minimum of 10 adjoining acres of forest; they cap you off at 500 acres of forest
3. Already have a FORESTRY PLAN in place, or have applied to have one prepared for your forest through the WFLGP
4. The cost-sharing applies to non-commercial practices

The next step would be to give your local DNR forester a call. I will include a link here. Once you’ve made contact, ask to apply for the WFLGP. A basic rule of thumb with WFLGP applications are:

1. They are accepted anytime
2. First come first serve basis
3. Submit your application before the project needs to begin
4. Keep in mind the MAJORITY of the projects are funded each year in August

After you have sent in your application, your application is reviewed and analyzed for the project type as well as the number of acres it would cover. If you are awarded a grant from the DNR, you will receive a letter in the mail congratulating you on the grant and giving you permission to begin. The grant gives you two years to finish your project. If you went ahead and started BEFORE you were awarded the grant, they will not cost-share those expenses.

You are to keep track of all your invoices and receipts that pertain to the forestry plan within the WFLGP. Keep in mind that you will be reimbursed with the allotted grant amount after completion of the project. A DNR forester will likely pay you a visit to go over the project and verify its completion. Landowners are reimbursed up to 50 percent of the paid invoices/receipts or an hourly rate for your labor.

MANAGED FOREST LAW PROGRAM

Attention! If you’re interested in reduced property taxes check out the MFLP! Bet that got your attention. The MFLP is a landowner incentive program that encourages sustainable forestry on private woodland. In exchange for you adhering to the sound forest management plan that you’ve established with the DNR, you the landowner, are rewarded by paying fewer property taxes. Yahoo! Even better? The MFLP is the ONLY open enrollment program available!

To become eligible for the MFL, you, as the landowner, must have a minimum of 20 acres of adjoining land and at least 80% of that land must be productive forest land. You will also need to have an MFL management plan. If you do not have an MFL plan, you will need to seek the assistance of a DNR Certified Plan Writer. It would be helpful for you to go download and print off an MFL program summary here. Start with the Forester Assistance Locator. They will help you with competitive CWP proposals.

A CPW can be found, and hired AT YOUR COST by going to: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/ and then searching the keyword “CPW”. From there, you can search for a local CPW. It will cost you $30 for each application you submit. NOTE: If your woodland property runs over county lines, that will require another $30. This application fee is for the recording of this tax benefit with the county register of deeds. Even though there is an open enrollment, applications and required attachments are DUE BY JUNE 1, with a January 1st entry into the program.

As the landowner, you are able to withdraw from the program. Withdrawing from the program will cost you a withdrawal tax as well as a $300 withdrawal fee. If you are selling your land, the new owner can submit a Managed Forest Law Transfer of Ownership.

We’ll continue our discussion of the DNR programs available for your wooded land in part two.