Writing a Management Plan

A forest management plan outlines your goals and objectives for your forest, along with the actions you plan to take to achieve them. Writing a forest management plan can help you better understand what your property has to offer, from wildlife to recreation and timber, so you can meet your ownership objectives. A forest management plan can also serve as a tool to communicate your forest goals to your family, document change over time, and be a pathway into a certification program (such as Montana Tree Farm System).

Assistance with Writing a Management Plan

MSU Extension Forestry Stewardship Plan

Montana State University Extension Forestry offers hands-on forest stewardship management plan writing workshops to landowners. During the workshop, you will inventory your forest land, establish your objectives, and write a plan to meet your goals. You'll also get a one-on-one site visit with a natural resource professional. 

Read More & Find Registration Information Here

Landowners walking in lodgepole regeneration

Montana DNRC has 16 Service Foresters located at the local offices across the state available for free one-on-one consultations with private landowners. Your local DNRC Service Forester can assist with developing a forest stewardship or management plan, but to meet the demand for their services they generally limit their time to a few hours per ownership.

Find Your Local DNRC Service Forester

forester measuring tree height

Professional consulting foresters can be hired to assist landowners with writing a management plan. Your local Service Forester or neighboring landowners may be able to provide recommendations for consulting foresters in your area. The Montana DNRC also maintains a voluntary list of consulting foresters across the state. 

View the DNRC's Directory of Consulting Foresters

montana tree farm system logo

The Montana Tree Farm System (MTFS) can provide assistance with writing a forest management plan to landowners who join the program with 10 acres or more. View their website to read more about becoming a member.

View More Information about the MTFS 

Additional Resources


  • A joint management plan template while working with a forester or natural resource professional is available through Montana State Extension Forestry. This joint template allows landowners to use one management plan to participate in American Tree Farm System, the Forest Stewardship Program, and NRCS programs. Additional forest stewardship planning forms can be found on MSU Extension Forestry's website. 
  • Montana State Extension Forestry's Forms page provides multiple resources to get started with writing your management plan. 
  • My Land Plan, through the American Forest Foundation, provides tools to map your land, set your goals, and take action, alongside opportunities to connect with other private forest owners and foresters.