Setting Goals and Objectives

Before you develop a forest management plan, it’s important to know what you want to achieve on your land. Your management plan will outline the steps you will take over the years to realize the vision for your Tree Farm. Foresters and other natural resource professionals can help you develop a plan to accomplish your goals.

ATFS Standard 1, Indicator 1.1.2:
Management plans shall describe current forest condition, landowner’s objectives, management activities aimed at achieving landowner’s objectives, document a feasible strategy for activity implementation, and include a map accurately depicting significant forest-related resources.
ATFS Standard 1, Indicator 1.1.3:
The Landowner should monitor for changes that could interfere with the management objectives as stated in management plan.

Management by Objectives: Successful Forest Planning (N.C. State Extension)
Since forests take so long to grow, today’s decisions can have long-term impacts and benefits. A plan analyzes and assesses options, allowing a landowner to select the best course of action and achieve desired objectives.

Setting Goals and Objectives (American Forest Foundation)
Your goals and objectives are the most important part of your forest management plan. This is where you state your vision for your woods—the values you’d like to protect and the outcomes you’d like to achieve there, based on the resources you have available.

Your Legacy, Your Land: Setting Your Long Term Goals (American Forest Foundation webinar)
This webinar addresses the importance of goal setting and offers three worksheets to help landowners with that task.

Forestry With Confidence: A Guide for Woodland Owners (Penn State Extension)
This full color publication will assist woodland owners in examining their woodlands, identifying objectives and taking deliberate steps to achieve them.