Working with Qualified Private Sector Foresters

Often forest landowners would benefit from a level of professional forestry assistance that is not funded by government programs.  Examples of this are: setting up a timber sale, the writing of a Forest Stewardship plan, or conducting timber inventories.  To assist landowners who desire that level of forestry assistance, below are the four programs by which a forester may become designated as a Qualified Forester:

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Certified Forester (C.F.) – A certification available to individuals who:
  • Have a bachelor's degree or higher in forestry or a related degree with forestry coursework from a college or university accredited by the Society of American Foresters  
  • Have five-years or more of qualifying professional experience within the past 10 years (including only experience gained following conferral of the first forestry/ forestry related degree)
  • Adhere to state and federal forestry laws
  • Complete 60 hours of forestry professional development every three years

The program is administered by the Society of American Foresters.  The following will link to a list of SAF Certified Foresters in Michigan:  http://www.safnet.org/certifiedforester/findcertifiedforester.cfm

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Michigan Registered Forester – Registration is available to individuals who:
  • Have a bachelor's degree or higher in forestry from a college or university accredited by the Society of American Foresters 
  • Not less than two years of experience in professional forestry work by way of three Experience Verification Forms from professional foresters who can attest to the applicant's experience 


To receive a list of Registered Foresters in Michigan you currently can make a request on-line from the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) for a $15 fee:  www.michigan.gov/foresters then ‘click’ on “Purchase License Lists and Data”.  

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Technical Service Provider for Forestry – Someone who is registered with the USDA-NRCS to provide technical assistance related to USDA Farm Bill forest practice implementation specifically. TSP registration is available to individuals who are:
  • Certified foresters through either SAF or ACF or
  • Have 5 years forestry experience and are a registered forester or
  • Have a bachelor’s degree in forestry and 1 year of forestry experience and are a registered forester 
To see more about the criteria go to: ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/MI/technical/tsp_cat&criteria.pdf
To find a technical service provider for forestry go to: http://techreg.usda.gov/CustLocateTSP.aspx.  Once there, select Michigan, the county you would like to check for coverage and then choose “Forestry” from the Category list.

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Michigan Certified Forest Stewardship Plan Writer – The Forest Stewardship Program (FSP) is administered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and funded by the USDA Forest Service, State and Private Forestry Program.  In order to qualify for cost share funds under a FSP grant, a landowner must work a person who is listed as a Certified Forest Stewardship Plan Writer.  The minimum qualifications to apply for and maintain certification as a plan writer are:
  • Have a four-year degree in Forestry or related Natural Resource field OR have a two-year degree in Forestry or related Natural Resource field with approved experience
  • Maintain six hours of approved continuing education in natural resource management yearly and submit documentation to the Forest Stewardship Coordinator
  • Present yourself in a professional manner in both appearance and conduct, and provide service to your clients in a timely manner
To find a Certified Forest Stewardship Plan Writer that will service a county, go to:  http://www.michigandnr.com/fspplanwriter/ and ‘click’ on the county of interest.