Program Requirements

Most certification, stewardship, cost-share and tax relief programs require participating landowners to have a written forest management plan. A comprehensive forest management plan may qualify for multiple programs. Follow the links below to learn about each program’s forest management plan requirements.

 

	AMERICAN TREE FARM SYSTEM To participate in the American Tree Farm System program, landowners must commit to upholding the Standards of Sustainability and demonstrate their commitment to the long-term sustainable forest management by having and implementing a written forest management plan.
	FOREST STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM The North Carolina Forest Stewardship Program is a cooperative effort to help owners realize the objective of managing their forests for the benefits they desire. The program is voluntary, and participants receive recognition for achievements in promoting total forest resource management.
	COST-SHARE PROGRAMS Cost-share programs encourage landowners to re-establish forest stands after harvest and to improve particular aspects of forest health by covering a portion of the cost of specific management activities. Most cost-share programs require the landowner to submit a forest management plan as part of the application process.
	NORTH CAROLINA PRESENT USE VALUE North Carolina owners of soundly managed commercial forestland can qualify for property tax reductions through the states’ forestry present-use property tax program. To be eligible for forestry present-use valuation, qualified forestland must be actively engaged in the commercial growing of trees under sound management (NC General Statutes 105 277.2-277.7).