About the Stewardship Program
Non-industrial private forests – often referred to as “family” or “community” forests – make up nearly 25% of Montana’s forestland. These private forests provide numerous public benefits, including access to open space, recreational opportunities, timber supply, carbon sequestration, and habitat for Montana’s abundant wildlife.
The Stewardship Program connects Montana landowners, natural resource managers, and communities with the tools needed to actively and sustainably manage their forestland.
What We Do
Technical Assistance
We provide hands-on learning experiences in collaboration with DNRC service foresters and cooperating partners.
Educational Opportunities
We connect landowners with one-on-one forest consultations and workshops and host mtforestinfo.org: a centralized education and resource website for Montana forest landowners.
Financial Assistance
Through local DNRC staff and other partners, we offer grants for private landowners and communities to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health.
Safeguarding a Watershed: The Basin Creek Project
November 2025: In the Basin Creek Municipal Watershed, multiple partners work to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health.
Chainsaw 101 Workshop
Piecing Together the Puzzle: The Pine Hills & Pine Thrills Projects
November 2025: In Custer County, fuel reduction work on county, private, and state trust land is a landscape-scale effort.
Forest Products Week 2025
October 2025: This October, DNRC celebrated Forest Products Industry Week. Through social media posts and timber tours, DNRC celebrated and recognized the folks who work in and manage our forests, the businesses that produce locally-made wood products, and the stewardship of our treasured private and public forests.
Creating Defensible Space: The Pattee Canyon Wildfire Mitigation Project
October 2025: In Missoula, a cross-boundary wildfire mitigation project reduces risk to critical communications infrastructure and landowners.
Forest Action Plan StoryMaps
Eager for more? Read our Forest Action Plan success stories showcasing our work on the ground across Montana.
Browse our 'Featured Stories'
Forest Products Map unveiling (October 2025): Access the map on DNRC's Forest Products web page
Women in the Woods Workshop (May 2025): Watch on Instagram
Montana Tree Farm System training (January 2025): View on Instagram & Facebook