A good Stewardship Plan requires thoughtful reflection, discussion with experts, field work, research and planning in order to be effective. The landowner should be involved in all aspects of creating the plan. The first step is to develop a resource inventory of the property. Decide which resources are relevant to your plan and then map them. You may want to include bodies of water, roads and trails, structures, sensitive areas, soil types, etc.
Professionals Managing forestland requires an understanding of the methods and techniques available.
Consulting with experts may be necessary to make the best choices. Professionals are available to help you. You may need a forester, wildlife biologist, hydrologist, range specialist, or other appropriate expert, depending on the resource emphasis. The professional's job is to work with you, the landowner, to come up with recommendations for management practices that are consistent with your objectives and the needs of the land. A Stewardship Plan sets the direction for management of the property for the next ten years and gives at least a general five-year activity schedule.