DEC Forest Stewardship Program

[Bucndoe]

Anyone use or have expirience with having a DEC Forester doing a walk through on your property ? It's a free consulting program through DEC to help you manage your land. 

I'm thinking about using it but would like any pros or cons before scheduling. Thanks in advance.

[escpen]

We had a DEC forester come out and do a walk through of our property years ago.  He broke the wooded areas down into different sections, identified "improvements" that could / should be made for each section, and helped to prioritize the work to be done.  It was definitely worth it to have him do the walk through and write up the management plan.

[Keith Nehrke]

I've had experience with Gary Koplun from Region 8, who did an amazing job on one of the properties we purchased ten years ago. There was no down side at all to having him prepare a document, and no obligation either - although as a blueprint for establishing management goals, it was great. He also contributed for many years to our STEM outreach program for third-graders as "Gary the Forester". Here's a shout-out and props to him!