Private land is where nearly all of our wildlife and the bulk of our forest products are found. In Missouri, experts are available to help landowners make informed decisions about the stewardship of their property. They can show you how to manage your property in a sustainable manner. Incentive programs can help offset expenses of management practices. Forests are a long-term investment, and owners should seek advice before making any decisions that might compromise the ability of future generations to use the forest.
Private landowners have a big responsibility in the care of our natural resources.
They own 93 percent of all land and 85 percent of the forest land in Missouri. Threats to our Forests Wildfires were a threat to Missouri's forests 100 years ago and, to a certain extent, still are today. Wildfires burn more than 50,000 acres of forest and grassland each year. More than 99 percent of these fires are human-caused and preventable. Arsonists set 40 percent of our wildfires.