This program was suggested by the Utah Forest Practices Task Force as a way to address concerns from private forest landowners and others about timber harvesting activities and the health of Utah forests. Pressure to harvest timber on private lands has increased in recent years due to the rising value of forest products and reductions in harvesting on public lands. Because Utah forests take generations to mature, many of today's landowners have little or no experience with timber harvesting. Promises of substantial financial returns for timber resources are tempting. When considering timber harvest on your lands, it is important to plan carefully and consider long-term management goals for your land and resources.
Forested lands are an important natural resource in Utah.
Carefully managed forest lands provide substantial benefits not only to the landowner, but also to the community. While some landowners have been satisfied with timber harvest practices on their lands and many good timber operators exist, other landowners have reported unforeseen and unwanted consequences that have resulted in lost income and degraded site conditions, in some cases leaving the landowner with a nonproductive forest of little remaining value. Assistance is Available Utah State University Extension's new Private Forest Landowner Education Program is committed to helping Utah forest landowners make informed decisions about resource management on their lands. Program services include this newsletter, fact sheets, workshops, and other educational materials and activities covering such topics as forest health and regeneration, harvesting, water quality guidelines, contracts, taxes, and wildlife management. If you are interested in being on a mailing list to receive educational materials and notification of program activities, please complete and mail the enclosed business reply card.