Tomorrow's Woodland Owners

More than half of Wisconsin's woodlands are owned by families or individuals. Photo by Lori Compas.

A letter from Paul DeLong, Chief State Forester:

Wisconsin has a long history of protecting and sustainably managing its forests. Our 16 million acres of forests, found in every corner of the state, play a key role in the quality of life we enjoy in the Badger State. Our forests provide a wide range benefits: a steady supply of products that fuel one of the state's largest industries, clean air and water, carbon sequestration, habitat for a diversity of wildlife both common and rare, scenic beauty that attracts tourists from near and far, and settings for a multitude of outdoor recreation activities. Wisconsin's forests touch the lives of every state resident.

More than half of these forest lands, 9.1 million acres, are owned by families and individuals. The environmental, economic, and social benefits generated by the state's forests can trace their origin to the individuals who own and care for Wisconsin's woodlands. But for some time, Forestry Division staff -- people dedicated to facilitating the sustainable management of Wisconsin's forest resources -- have observed a convergence of factors that has generated an unprecedented challenge to Wisconsin's forest resources.

The origin of this particular challenge is not forest fires nor regulatory changes. It isn't from priorities that place one value ahead of all others, nor is it from a lack of knowledge about what should be done to keep our forests productive, healthy, and viable. This challenge involves the inevitable shift in forest ownership that will be taking place in the very near future.

A few statistics help define the challenge.

Almost 60 percent of all family forest landowners in Wisconsin are 55 years or older.
About half of Wisconsin's forestland owners (49 percent) are already retired.
More than 10 percent of Wisconsin's privately owned forest lands will be sold, subdivided, or converted to non-forest uses in the next 5 years.

The bottom line: Over the next 20 years, most of Wisconsin's privately owned woodlands will be passed on to another generation whose views are only beginning to be understood and whose opinions may come into conflict with the realities of their lives. An article in the October 2008 Natural Resources Magazine, "Tending to tomorrow's woodland owners," puts a human face on this challenge.

The pending shift in ownership raises important questions that aren't particularly easy to answer.

Will the next generation decide to hold on to the living asset they will inherit from their parents -- and keep the property as forested land? Or will it be easier to sell the land for development or divide it up among multiple siblings?
What barriers are faced by the next generation who say they'd like to keep the forested land they will inherit?
Does the next generation of landowners have the same values and knowledge base as their parents? Can they make the same investment of time and energy as their parents, particularly if the forested property is located a considerable distance from where the new owners live?
What happens when a parcel of forested land is inherited by multiple siblings? Will brothers and sisters (and their respective spouses) be able to agree on what should be done to manage the land? Or will the disagreements (or family challenges such as health emergencies) result in the land being sold, earmarked for non-forest uses?
Are financial concerns -- such as taxes on the forested property, costs connected with land management, and the ability to generate money from the property -- more important than a desire to keep a piece of property as a family legacy?

To answer these and other questions, the Forestry Division, working in partnership with the Pinchot Institute for Conservation and the U.S. Forest Service, undertook landmark research to learn about the next generation of forest owners. The goal of this groundbreaking research is to:

understand what will immediately be happening to Wisconsin's forests when the biggest intergenerational transfer of land takes place
determine how to offer help and information the new owners want and need so they can keep their forest intact

The research has not only generated a much-needed portrait of the next generation of owners; it also offers insight on what the next generation of forest owners value and what they believe will help or hinder their ability to own and responsibly manage a family inheritance.

I encourage you to take a look at the study results. While many resources are already available to woodland owners, the study provides insight into what the next generation of woodland owners is thinking. The results will be invaluable in guiding the development of new policies and programs that may ultimately help brighten the future of Wisconsin forests.

Paul DeLong
Chief State Forester

Last Revised: Thursday October 16 2008