Publication Year
2025Brief Description
Vol. XI Forest Landowner Briefings
Topics
Forest Landowners:
Since you live out of state, do you find it difficult to “stay in touch” with your East Texas property and the management associated with it? In this newsletter, you’ll find information and resources to help you “connect” with your investment.
I am pretty much a “self-taught” landowner, especially since I am not living anywhere near my properties. Are there any new resources to help me in my continued education as a forest and woodland landowner?
The Southern Group of State Foresters, Texas A&M Forest Service, and Texas Forestry Association worked together and created the Learn Plan Act Texas initiative to support landowners and provide them with easy access to educational materials and resources to keep their woods healthy. Owning forests and woodlands requires careful consideration of various factors, such as wildlife, fires, natural hazards, timber markets, taxes, and Best Management Practices. Through this easy-to-use website, landowners can quickly view a collection of educational resources and connect with fellow landowners. Information is divided up into sections covering finances, protection from wildfire, natural hazards, wildlife, and growing your timber. The pagers are filled with text, videos, and links to more information on all these topics. Along with that, there is an “Ask a Question” section and links to how to benefit from and be involved through Texas Forestry Association, your advocate and way to stay involved, even at a distance. There is a link to help you find a Texas A&M Forest Service forester that serves your area and can
tell you about the programs offered by the state forestry agency. Also, the My Land Management Connector link will take you to a free app that can help you: find a professional consulting forester, connect with professional service providers, and network with neighbors to have work done on multiple properties. Ultimately, landowners would benefit greatly by contacting a professional forester to help them meet their goals for their property and show them how to continue to be good stewards of the land.
LINKS
https://www.learnplanacttexas.org/home – Learn Plan Act Texas Initiative
https://www.texasforestry.org – Texas Forestry Association
https://tfsweb.tamu.edu – Texas A&M Forest Service
I need a way to easily find forestry service providers in the area where my property is located, from the comfort of my own home. Any ideas? There’s an app for that! My Land Management Connector is a free online tool that:
- helps landowners find land management service providers
- assists service providers in aggregating land management services
- works for any size property
You can find participating services providers and review their credentials and references before you even contact them. Search for providers by their profession, the region(s) they serve, and/or the services they provide. This way, you can research all this in one handy site, helping you “narrow down the field” when it comes time to contact them. Many times, small acreage landowners have trouble getting services conducted on their property because of the small volume and little benefit to the provider. With My Land Management Connector, landowners that have an account with the app can make connections and seek out service providers to work all of their properties as one larger job.
It sure would help to have a way to keep track of available cost share monies or other financial assistance in the management of my property. Suggestions?
There’s a NEW app for that! Funding Connector fills that need for private landowners. This website serves as a clearinghouse for information about various natural resource programs that offer financial assistance to Texas landowners that implement conservation practices. Practices range from prescribed burning to tree planting. This site helps landowners quickly determine their eligibility for these programs and gives information on how and when to apply. Simply input your street address, county name, or click on a spot on the map, and the app will tell
you all the programs available in that area. Or, you can just sort by individual program, and it will show you what counties that program covers, along with a description and other particulars of the program itself. Sort by practice, such as thinning, burning, tree planting, etc., and the app will you what programs can help with that practice and where it applies. For each practice or program, the information box gives you the name of the organization that handles the program, a description of the program, website link, counties it covers, what practices are
involved, and financial assistance available
LINKS
https://texasforestinfo.tamu.edu/fundingconnector/ – Funding Connector app
I am now living out of state, a long distance from by beloved family property. I want to ensure that large acreage property is protected for the future. What is available to me for that purpose?
The State and Private Forestry branch of the USDA Forest Service administers the Forest Legacy Program (FLP) in cooperation with Texas A&M Forest Service. The program allows the State of Texas to purchase conservation easements on forestland with the goal of keeping the land in its forested state. Landowners may continue to own their land and retain all other rights to the property, including the right to sell the property. The FLP focuses on protecting large blocks of forest land from parcelization and fragmentation in areas that are important for the forest products industry, promoting ecological benefits, providing watershed protection, and offering open space for public value. Smaller properties that are either connected or contain key features associated with larger land protection projects are also a priority. The conservation easement is recorded with the property deed and transferred with the sale or transfer of the property. U.S. Forest Service funds 75 percent of the easement purchase cost and the landowner provides 25 percent. The landowner’s share may come from nonfederal sources such as a donation of part of
the easement value from the landowner or a non-profit organization interested in the project.
Where can I find timber prices in my area?
Texas Timber Price Trends is a bimonthly publication reporting average prices paid for standing timber in Texas. This report is intended only as a guide to general price levels. Individuals interested in buying and selling timber can use this report to monitor market trends and get a general idea of what timber is worth. However, it should not be used to judge the fair market value of a specific timber sale, which may vary considerably due to many factors.
Where can I go for help?
Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) has offices all over East Texas (and the rest of the state). Contact the TAMFS District Office serving the county where your property is located. Go to
http://tfsweb.tamu.edu and click on “Contact Us,” then “County,” and then search for your county or click on the county on the map. Click on “Landowner Assistance” to get contact information for that area. For more info on these and other topics, go to the Texas A&M Forest Service website at http://tfsweb.tamu.edu, or contact the TAMFS District Office closest to your property.
TAMFS District Offices:
Conroe (936) 273-2261
Crockett (936) 544-7798
Gilmer (903) 734-7007
Henderson / Carthage (903) 657-0511
Hudson (Lufkin) (936) 875-4400
Huntsville / (936) 295-5688
Jasper / Kirbyville
Jacksonville (903) 586-7545
Kountze / Woodville (409) 246-2484
Linden (903) 756-5571
Livingston / Liberty (936) 327-4832
Marshall / Longview (903) 938-8712
Nacogdoches (936) 564-9276
New Boston / Clarksville (903) 628-2711
Palestine (903) 729-7738
Pittsburg (903) 856-7181
San Augustine (936) 275-3438