Setting Your Goals

This text is an excerpt from Getting the Most from Your Woodland by Jeff Martin (February 1990, Forestry Facts series, No. 48 (PDF). University of Wisconsin-Extension with the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Department of Forestry (School of Natural Resources)).

Which trees should be preserved for wildlife dens or food production?

For this step, you need pencil and paper, a little time for "brainstorming" and perhaps a group of people such as your family members, co-owners, partners, etc. Setting your goals will require that everyone involved spend time discussing the many possibilities and wants they have for using the property. And when the discussion is over, a written set of goals should be produced.

You need to be very specific in identifying your wants. For example:

• Wanting more income isn't sufficient. You will need to decide how much and when it is most needed--today, when it's need to pay off a mortgage or in 10 years to send your child to college?
• It's not enough to say you want more wildlife. You need to decide what species are most desirable and whether better hunting, improved bird watching or just a greater variety of species is your goal.
• Perhaps you want to improve the aesthetic qualities of your property. To do so, you will need to decide whether to enhance the view from your house or possibly convert some acres to other tree species for greater diversity and visual variety.
• You may want more acres in the woodlot. Do you want a good road system for hauling firewood, better "sightlines" from your deer stands, some scattered walking trails for bird hunting, a network of cross-country ski trails, or a route for snowmobiles?
• Or, you may just be growing bored and want to try a new challenge. Are you interested in trying to grow high quality walnut, figuring out how to establish red oak reproduction or finding a way to get your family interested in conservation activities?

Should this site be planted to prairie or to trees? Examine your objectives and how the project will fit in with the surrounding landscape.

Some people choose to manage for unique plants such as these cardinal flowers that grow in moist riparian areas.

These are only a few examples of the many possible reasons landowners have for managing their woodlands. You will probably have other goals in mind, so you need to develop you own list.

Most active woodland managers have more than one goal. They don't focus on just income production or grouse habitat. Instead, they try to accomplish several things at once. For example, when you are out cutting firewood, are you:

1. producing fuel?
2. thinning the woodlot?
3. making brush piles for rabbits?
4. enjoying yourself?

Many woodland owners would probably answer "all of the above."

The really great thing about woodland management is that achieving several goals at once is usually quite easy. Applying the proper techniques will help you create woodlot conditions that provide a number of benefits. However, to do this you will need a management plan.