For Cooperating Foresters

Map of Cooperating Forester firms [PDF, 1.7 MB]

The Wisconsin DNR began the Cooperating Forester program in 1989. Private consulting and industrial foresters voluntarily apply to participate and abide by DNR management guidelines. DNR Foresters will exclusively refer private landowners seeking additional assistance to a Cooperating Forester.

Cooperating and WDNR Foresters

• Private Forestry Assistance Locator – Searchable online directory
• Current Directory of Foresters – This electronic version of our hardcopy directory is updated once each year in January. For a printed copy of the directory contact the Private Forestry Specialist.

Becoming a Cooperating Forester

To become a Cooperating Forester, you must meet specific academic requirements that have been set by Wisconsin administrative rules, complete the Cooperating Forester Application and sign the Cooperating Forester Agreement. Applications can be submitted year round. Successful applicants will be notified by mail. Each agreement runs through December 31 of the year signed. At least 10 hours of professional training relevant to the services provided are required in the year preceding an application and each year thereafter.

• Academic Requirements
• Cooperating Forester Agreement – An annual agreement that is signed by the Cooperating Forester and the DNR Chief State Forester which outlines the terms and obligations of a Cooperating Forester.
• Application Forms – To apply for Cooperating Forester status, please fill out and return the application forms.

Maintaining Cooperating Forester status

• Each firm must complete an annual renewal application and sign a new agreement for the next year. The renewal application and the new agreement are mailed to each Cooperator in September and must be completed and returned no later than November 1. Only one set of forms is required per firm.

Additionally

• Each forester must complete at least 10 hours of professional training each year. Training is reported on the renewal application.
• Annual Training Requirements – What qualifies as acceptable training?
• Training Opportunities – Current training that is available to fulfill the 10-hour annual requirement
• Each firm must complete and submit a report of the forestry accomplishments for the current year and a report of stumpage values for timber sold in the current year.

Resources for Cooperating Foresters

• DNR Handbooks – Official forest management guides
• Accomplishment Reports and Stumpage Data Forms – Required annual reporting forms
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) – Information, available data and contacts
• Herbicides for Forest Management
• Tribal Liasons [PDF, 25KB]
• Best Management Practices for Invasive Species [exit DNR]
• Invasive Species: Plants
• Forest Industry Safety & Training Alliance Inc. (FISTA) [exit DNR]
• NACD Guides
  Community Wildfire Desk Guide and Toolkit [PDF, 2.7MB]
  Forest Landowner Natural Disaster Desk Guide and Toolkit [PDF, 745KB]
  Woody Biomass Desk Guide and Toolkit - coming soon

Forest Certification

• Third-party Forest Certification in Wisconsin has a land base of over 6 million acres and includes County Forests, State Forests, Other State Owned Properties & Private MFL lands. When creating plans or conducting forest management activities on forest certified lands, it is highly important to understand the criteria for certification approval and the guidelines that must be followed. Audits of Wisconsin certified forests are conducted annually to ensure that sustainable forestry is practiced and that guidelines are followed.
• Forest Certification

Becoming a Certified Plan Writer - CPW

• Certified Plan Writer – To write plans for Managed Forest Law (MFL) properties, a forester must be trained and certified as a CPW.