Michigan Forest Pathways
Where forest & forestry resources come together for all users!

Sponsored by the Michigan Forest Association and Michigan State University Extension

Partners in Forest and Forestry Education and Practice

“It is a certainty that demands on the world’s forest lands will become greater while the area
available for forest production will decrease … The question facing us is not whether to use
the forest resource but how to use it wisely for the greatest benefit to man in the long term.”
-Bruce Zobel, Forest Geneticist

DESCRIPTIONS OF FOREST/FORESTRY RELATED ORGANIZATIONS/RESOURCES
Click on Logo for Link	Organization Name	Brief Description of Organization Related to Forestry Education
	Association of Consulting Foresters	On-the-ground forest management education for private landowners that are our clients. Individual members' websites, workshops for members and invitees, individual management plans for landowners developed on a fee basis. Many individual members volunteer time in their local working area for education and outreach.
	Michigan Association of Conservation Districts	Represents interests of Michigan Conservation Districts. Share information with districts through the state: forest health, reforestation, consulting, etc. In 2012, the state legislature authorized the Forestry Assistance Program, which provides foresters that cover about 30 counties. Not all Districts have forestry expertise.
	Michigan Association of Timbermen	Represents the forest products industry of Michigan. Work to acquire greater exposure and understanding of the issues and yet untapped economic potential of Michigan 's forest industry. Provide effective representation for Michigan 's forest industry with legislators and government officials to favorably influence public policy and legislation.
	Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Environmental Stewardship Division Pesticide & Plant Pest Management Division	The MDARD Environmental Stewardship Division administers forestry assistance program grants through Conservation Districts to provide technical assistance to private landowners, local government, and other citizens on forestry issues. The MDA Pesticide & Plant Pest Management Division coordinates international exports of wood products, Emerald Ash Borer program (ash reduction strategies, regulatory requirements), and pesticide certifications for silvicultural treatments.
	Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources Forest Management Division	Provides limited technical assistance to private forest landowners, Michigan citizens, and other professionals where appropriate. Administers the Forest Stewardship Program and Urban Forestry Program and the Commercial Forest Program and the Forest Legacy Program.
	Michigan Forest Association	Represents Michigan 's private forest landowners. Publishes "Michigan Forests" magazine & "Leaves" newsletter. Hosts workshops and annual association meeting. Advocates sound forest policies to state legislature. Provides access to forestry information and services.
	Michigan Forest Products Council	The MFPC is a businiess advocacy group for rthe forest products industry. It has several Boards, Committees and Taskforces including the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and Michigan Tree Farm Program , to educate, inform, and lead in maintaining the healthy forest and forest products industry in Michigan.
	Michigan Society of American Foresters	The Michigan SAF is a professional forestry organization to serve foresters and resource managers that work towards stewardship of our forests. The Michigan Society is part of the National Society.
	Michigan State University Forestry Department	SAF accredited undergraduate and graduate programs in forestry. Conducts primary research in a range of forestry disciplines. Several faculty have Extension appointments.
	Michigan State University Extension	Provides forestry-related information to forest landowners, other citizens, and professionals based on research and information. This includes such topics as general forest management, pest and disease problems, harvesting techniques, tree planting, and socioeconomic influences. The website provides many bulletins electronically. Most natural resource workshops, presentations, programs, and materials are provided through the "Greening of Michigan Institute."
	Michigan Technological University School of Forest Resources & Environmental Science	The Michigan Tech School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science provides BS, MF, MS, and PhD SAF-accredited degree programs. The Ford Center and Research Forest provides additional education and outreach opportunities such as Summer Youth Programs and Teacher Institutes, Wildland Firefighter Training, Sugarbush Management, Isle Royale Institutes, Wolf Ecology Workshops, Hardwood Bucking for Grade, and Log Scaling and Grading Workshops.
	Michigan Tree Farm	Hosts Tree Farm Field Days, scholarship program, works with Project Learning Tree. Information through websites, field days, and advocacy programs (both state and national).
	Natural Resources Conservation Service	Forestry training for NRCS, Conservation Districts and the public through workshops, seminars, conferences, and programs related to the Farm Bill. The NRCS administers several cost-share programs. and uses the term "technical service providers" to describe natural resource professionals trained in NRCS programs.
	Project Learning Tree - Michigan	Project Learning Tree is a national curriculum for pre-K through 12th grade students. Trains teachers, conducts workshops, displays, attendance at conferences, partnerships, pamphlets, teacher handouts, etc.
	USDA Forest Service Huron-Manistee National Forest Hiawatha National Forest Ottawa National Forest	Hiawatha National Forest Clear Lake Education Center and Ottawa National Forest Camp Nesbit outdoor classrooms, school programs, education materials. Huron-Manistee National Forest - conducts community & school programs, statewide programs, including info on Kirtland's Warbler, fire prevention, black bears in Michigan, rocks & minerals, Firewise, fire ecology, and invasive plants.
	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Seney National Wildlife Refuge (eastern UP) Kirtland's Warbler Wildlife Mngt. Area (northern LP)	These two land units of the National Wildlife Refuge System are dedicated to the preservation, conservation, and restoration of forest ecosystems for wildlife benefit. There are other FWS units in Michigan, too.

TRAILER- This website was created by a consortium of forestry groups to help streamline information about forestry and coordinate forestry activities designed to benefit the family forest owner and various publics that make up our Michigan citizenry. This website is maintained by Bill Cook, Michigan State Extension Forester/Biologist. Direct comments to cookwi@msu.edu or 906-786-1575.

Michigan State University is an affirmative action equal opportunity institution. The U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital status or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)