Forest Ownerships
Forest Ownerships
Three groups own the commercial forest land in Missouri--the federal government, state and local governments, and private landowners. (See Table 7.)
A woodland walk, Painted Rock State Forest, Osage County.
Federal, state and local governments own only 15 percent of the forest land in Missouri, or about 2 million acres. The U.S. Forest Service owns the Mark Twain National Forest, the largest federal forest in the state, and the Department of Conservation is the largest owner of state forest land. Other government ownerships include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the University of Missouri.
Most public forest lands are managed under the "multiple-user" concept. Timber production is balanced with the provision of public benefits other than wood products. Through multiple-use management, benefits such as watershed protection, wildlife habitat, recreation and timber can all be supplied by the same forest.
National and state forests are managed quite differently from national and state parks. Forests are managed for the wise use of all resources. Activities may include timber harvesting, hunting, hiking trail construction and wildlife habitat improvement. National and state parks are managed primarily for their cultural, historical or recreational value. Management of natural resources such as forests and wildlife is not a part of their mission, although they may carry out conservation practices in some areas.
Private landowners control 85 percent of the forest land in Missouri. Part of the challenge of forestry is helping private landowners apply management practices to create and maintain the kind of forest that meets their needs.
| Ownership | Acres | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| National Forest | 1,320,900 | 9.9 |
| Misc. Federal | 246,300 | 1.8 |
| State | 402,500 | 3.0 |
| Municipal | 42,200 | 0.3 |
| Forest Industry | 222,400 | 1.6 |
| Private | 11,136,500 | 83.4 |
Private landowners have many different reasons for owning forest land and many different expectations from that land. Some want to encourage game animals, others like to birdwatch. Many buy forest land for recreation--a place to get away from the office and telephone. Others see a long-term investment in the land and timber. Whatever the reason for owning forest land, a well managed forest complements all uses of the land.
Private forest land is very important as a resource base for Missouri's wood industries. As society places more demands on public land for non-timber values, industry will have to look to private land for its raw materials.
Managing forest land is a project that my span several generations of a family. Most landowners want to leave their land better than they received it. They realize that forest management is an investment in the future. Several programs have been developed to help private landowners with the long-term stewardship of their property.
Department of Conservation foresters offer many services free of charge. They can advise landowners on all phases of forest management such as tree planting, thinning, and harvesting; wildlife habitat development; and pest control. Private consulting foresters are also available for a fee to landowners who need these services on a continuing basis.
The Tree Farm System recognizes private landowners who are doing a good job of managing their forest land. Presently, there are about 1,000 Tree Farmers in Missouri managing over 600,000 acres of forest.
Financial aid is available to help offset long-term investment in forest practices. These funds, administered through the U.S. Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, can help with the cost of tree planting and timber-stand improvement.
