Legacy Planning

Estate and forest legacy planning are instruments to protect your investment in the stewardship of your forest and its resources. In this section, uncover information on private forest management and legacy planning. Find experts’ advice on implementing forest stewardship, planting trees in the forest, and estate planning. Tax tips for forest landowners are also provided.

Forest Management and Legacy Planning

Forests enrich our lives by providing various economic, ecological, and social values. Sound management and forest stewardship planning are needed to ensure these values – along with the forest’s health and productivity – remain for years to come.

In Pennsylvania, nearly 70% of the state’s forestland is owned by private owners. While many of them intend to pass on their land as a legacy, few have a plan in place. However, without careful planning, forestland could easily be lost to a subdivision, conversion to non-forest uses, or forced timber or land sale.

Creating a well-designed estate plan is an important step for securing an orderly transfer of the forestland with a minimum tax burden. It is also sensible to remember that an estate plan provides a good decision-making basis and future security without diminishing current options for the property.

Woodland Stewardship

Private forests play a crucial role in providing beautiful landscapes and essential ecosystem services, such as clean air and water, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities.

Landowners are an integral part of conserving Pennsylvania’s forestland health and biological diversity. Implementing forest conservation and stewardship practices helps owners make sure the land’s natural resources are used and managed sustainably.

The key to effectively implementing a stewardship ethic is having a forest stewardship activities plan. The plan should consider timber resources, wood products, soil and water quality, wildlife habitat, aesthetics, and biodiversity maintenance.

Access Resources on Planning Your Forest’s Future

In this section, find Penn State Extension resources on managing woodlands in a responsible manner. Join the Management Practices for Landowners online course to learn more about the need for woodland stewardship and discover ways to apply valuable practices to your woodlot. You will also learn to identify trees, collect field data, protect wildlife habitat, and develop a forest legacy plan.

The Forest Landowner Conference offers additional opportunities for woodland owners to explore the management options available to them. The conference further assists participants in making sustainable forestland decisions to secure forests’ future health and diversity.

Information is also available on teaching youth about forest stewardship to establish a tradition of responsible woodland management for future generations. In addition, access tips on joining the PA Forest Stewardship Program and improving forest income.