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WHFP

Forest Coordinator

The Wisconsin Healthy Forest Program is a pilot program to 

“Increase the amount of sustainably managed family owned forestland in Wisconsin.”

This pilot will be completed in 2008 and hopefully will be implemented as a permanent program after that.

The main way that the program will accomplish this goal is through trusted local forest coordinators. Our recent research showed that, “the most important characteristics of the “coordinator” are related to their personal skills, objectivity in evaluating individual needs, and experience as opposed to their formal training and credentials.”

Some of the landowners’ quotes from the research demonstrate what they expect.

“It is important that this person also maintains an open mind and not incorporate the close-mindedness and arrogance most associated with individuals in all kinds of organizations or government departments.”

“I would expect a person in this role would have the knowledge, experience and dedication to help landowners responsibly care for their woods.”

“A much-needed position provided the ‘coordinator’ is open to the advice, the needs, and the self-direction of each individual involved in the plan.  This coordinator must be one who can handle each person on a personal level and yet be able to effectively guide the individual to the best choices.” 

Forest coordinators will be the engine that drives the Wisconsin Healthy Forest Program. How far this program spreads and how well it works will depend on the availability of dedicated experienced woodland owners who believe in sharing their expertise for the good of the land. This concept is still evolving and will be further tested over the next year. These are some suggested characteristics of forest coordinators.

Forest Coordinators 

…are motivated by a passionate love of the land and pursue and are interested in what is best for the land. They understand the emotional attachment that landowners have to their land and deal with them at that level.

…have a landowner’s perspective and demonstrate good communication skills by truly listening, remaining open-minded and being attentive to the individual needs of the landowner.

…have a local focus and are familiar with local opinion leaders, issues, and regulations.

…are trustworthy and develop trusted relationships through landowner contacts by mentoring, supporting and maintaining personal contact with them.

…avoid arrogance and a condescending or know-it-all attitude.

…reach out, engage and become true advocates for the landowner as they partner with them to help them care for their land.

…are integral to the process, not just a referral agent.

…accumulate a collective wisdom and experience, by providing quality checks, as they monitor for satisfied interactions with forestry professionals.

…have credibility because they offer their expertise and make connections to reputable forestry professionals.

…receive a stipend plus expenses, but they have no personal agenda other than to care for the land. They generously share their passion because they understand the societal benefits of ecologically sound forest management.