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Private Forest Management

More than 80% of New York's 18.6 million acres of forests are in private ownership. DEC foresters serve private forest owners by advising on management activities tailored to meet individual ownership goals. Foresters provide expert advice on wildlife habitat improvement, erosion control, tree planting, recreation enhancement, sugar bush management and silviculture. Federal cost-sharing programs and the state property tax reduction programs are administered by DEC foresters.

To contact your local DEC forester for assistance in your woodlot, please use the link in the right column.

A Municipal Official's Guide to Forestry in New York State (PDF, 4.3 MB) is a new publication that highlights the value of our forests, identifies some of the greatest threats to forestry and encourages municipalities to promote forestry and forest stewardship.


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