Forest Management Expenses of Mississippi's Nonindustrial Private Forest Landowners

Abstract Detailed information about the forest management expenditures incurred by nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners over time provides a wealth of information about costs associated with forestland ownership, management practices implemented by NIPF landowners, and changes in management intensity over time. A survey of Mississippi's nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners owning 20 ac or more of forestland was conducted to determine their annual expenditures on forest management practices for the period 1995–1997. Landowners were asked how much they spent on property taxes, professional services, timber management activities, and other management activities. The resulting expenditures data were summarized in three ways: frequency of occurrence, mean expenditures per-acreowned for all respondents, and mean expenditures per-acreowned for those respondents engaged in each activity. With the exception of property taxes, most expenditures occur infrequently. Fewer than 15% of all respondents incurred expenditures for any specific activity during any survey year. Total annual expenditures for all respondents averaged $9.68/ac-owned over the study period. Across all landowners, property taxes represented the largest component of annual expenditures with planting costs and consulting forester fees ranking second and third. Mean expenditures for only those respondents engaged in each activity told a slightly different tale. Planting and consulting forester fees were the two largest expenditures, but site preparation, timber cruising, timber marking, and surveyor fees were all greater than property taxes for those engaged in these activities. South. J. Appl. For. 26(2):93–98.

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Comparison of the Timber Management Expenses of Non-Industrial Private Forest Landowners in Mississippi, United States: Results from 1995–1997 and 2015

Environments ◽

10.3390/environments6090107 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (9) ◽

pp. 107

Author(s):

Sagar Godar Chhetri ◽

Jason Gordon ◽

Ian Munn ◽

James Henderson

Keyword(s):

State Government ◽

Road Construction ◽

Forest Products ◽

Professional Services ◽

Private Forest ◽

Forest Land ◽

Timber Management ◽

Study Results ◽

Over Time ◽

Nipf Landowners

Forest landowner activities change over the lifespan of the forest and ownership cycle. Patterns of change emerge which suggest the evolving nature of forest landownership and Non-industrial Private Forest (NIPF) landowners’ interest in their land. The objective of this study was to examine trends in NIPF landowners’ distribution of forestry expenses in their management activities over time. First, 2010 Mississippi NIPF landowners were randomly selected from a property tax roll list. Our analysis compared study results of Arano et al. (2002) with a 2016 survey that was conducted by the authors of this paper. Both studies drew on assessments of timber management expenditures that were conducted on behalf of a state government department of revenue to determine ad valorem taxes for forest land. As such, both studies contained similar survey questions with 12 forestry-related activities grouped into four major categories: (1) Fees for Professional Services (e.g., consulting foresters, surveyors), (2) Timber Management Expenditures (e.g., site preparation, planting), (3) Other Management Expenditures (e.g., road construction), and (4) Property Taxes. Like the 2002 article, results here are presented as descriptive statistics. In both survey cycles, Timber Management Expenditures represented the largest component of annual expenditures in both the 1990s and 2015. The largest decrease in reported expenditures occurred for Other Management Expenditures. By broadly describing differences in expenditures over time, this study provides insights into the involvement of NIPF landowners in management activities on forest land such as reforestation after final harvest, thinning, and timber stand improvement, which can impact forest products’ supply over time.

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Timber Management for Nonindustrial Forest Owners: A Matter of Perspective?

Southern Journal of Applied Forestry ◽

10.1093/sjaf/1.3.2 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 1 (3) ◽

pp. 2-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Richard L. Porterfield ◽

James E. Moak

Keyword(s):

Forest Management ◽

Management Practices ◽

Private Forest ◽

Multiple Goals ◽

Forest Land ◽

Timber Management ◽

Forest Landowners ◽

Incentive Programs ◽

Nonindustrial Private Forest ◽

Small Forest

Abstract While federal and state incentive programs may be helpful in increasing future timber supplies, desired increases can be achieved only if forest management practices are made routine on small forest land ownerships and if greater consideration is given to the multiple goals of the nonindustrial private forest landowners. Research aimed at determining the physical tradeoffs between forest uses is needed so that intensive management practices can be tailored to landowner goals. Until such tradeoff information is available, unevenaged forest management is probably the most acceptable and compatible interim recommendation.

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Landowner Concern about Wildfires and Implementation of Fuel Reduction Treatments

Journal of Forestry ◽

10.1093/jofore/fvaa060 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Anusha Shrestha ◽

Robert K Grala ◽

Stephen C Grado ◽

Scott D Roberts ◽

Jason S Gordon

Keyword(s):

Forest Management ◽

Private Forest ◽

Fuel Reduction ◽

Fuel Treatment ◽

Hazard Potential ◽

Treatment Implementation ◽

Wildfire Hazard ◽

Management Plans ◽

Nonindustrial Private Forest ◽

Nipf Landowners

Abstract Fuel reduction treatments implemented by nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners affect wildfire hazard potential on both their tracts and surrounding lands. However, it is not clear how concerned they are about wildfire damages and what actions they are willing to take to lower wildfire hazard. This study determined the landowner concern level about wildfire damages and identified factors affecting their concern and fuel treatment implementation using seemingly unrelated and binary probit models, respectively. Approximately, 68% of landowners were concerned about property damage due to wildfires, and 45% implemented some fuel reduction treatments. The most common and least costly fuel treatment was prescribed burning ($18/acre) followed by chemical ($59/acre) and mechanical ($127/acre) treatments. Raising awareness about potential monetary losses due to wildfires, assisting landowners in preparing written forest management plans, and prioritizing areas with predominant pine cover will encourage landowner participation in hazardous fuel reduction programs and facilitate more effective wildfire mitigation. Study Implications Nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners were concerned about monetary damages due to wildfires, which influenced their implementation of fuel reduction treatments. Estimates of fuel treatment cost and implementation frequency provide baseline information necessary to determine cost-effectiveness of various fuel treatments for their subsequent prioritization. Programs and policies that increase awareness among landowners about potential monetary losses due to wildfires, facilitate preparation of forest management plans with wildfire hazard mitigation prescriptions, and prioritize areas with high wildfire hazard potential are needed to increase implementation of hazardous fuel reduction treatments by NIPF landowners to reduce wildfire intensity and severity.

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Nonindustrial Private Forest Owners in Idaho

Western Journal of Applied Forestry ◽

10.1093/wjaf/6.2.32 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 32-36 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Jo Ellen Force ◽

Harry W. Lee

Keyword(s):

Forest Management ◽

Management Practices ◽

Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽

Private Forest ◽

Private Forest Owners ◽

Forest Owners ◽

Domestic Use ◽

Sociodemographic Profile ◽

Nipf Owners ◽

Nonindustrial Private Forest

Abstract Idaho's nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) owners were surveyed by mail to determine their sociodemographic characteristics, perceptions of the benefits received from owning forestland, use of forest management practices, harvesting plans, and use of forest management assistance. Data were reported for the entire state and also analyzed by ownership class. The sociodemographic profile of Idaho's NIPF owner is similar to that reported from other states. Major benefits of owning NIPF land were: wood for domestic use; esthetic enjoyment; and wildlife appreciation. Esthetics were more important to smaller landowners. Grazing and timber were benefits of importance to large landowners. Fifty-six percent of owners have harvested timber, varying from 35% of small holdings to 74% of large holdings. One-fourth of the owners say they will never harvest timber. Only 34% have ever sought professional forest management assistance. West. J. Appl. For. 6(2):32-36.

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Industrial Forest Management Assistance and Leasing: 1983 Programs and Accomplishments in Georgia

Southern Journal of Applied Forestry ◽

10.1093/sjaf/9.4.217 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 217-222 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Frederick W. Cubbage ◽

Thomas M. Skinner

Keyword(s):

Forest Management ◽

Forest Products ◽

The State ◽

Forest Industry ◽

Private Forest ◽

Assistance Programs ◽

Wide Range ◽

Industrial Forest ◽

Nonindustrial Private Forest ◽

Nipf Landowners

Abstract A survey of industrial forest management assistance and leasing programs indicated that a wide range of forest management services were provided to nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners in Georgia. In 1983, approximately 6% of the commercial NIPF land in the state was leased by forest industry and about 1% was covered under industry management assistance programs. Forest products firms site-prepared 50,000 acres, planted about 38,000, and hand seeded about 20,000 acres of NIPF land. Costs for services seemed similar to industry averages. Leasing programs have been maintained the longest and help in managing more NIPF land, but are decreasing somewhat in area covered. Management assistance programs are generally newer and smaller in Georgia, but are increasing moderately in size.²

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Marketing Forest Management to Nonindustrial Private Forest Landowners: A Field Experiment

Northern Journal of Applied Forestry ◽

10.1093/njaf/5.4.240 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 240-245 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Barry Nathan Rosen ◽

H. Fred Kaiser

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Forest Management ◽

Field Experiment ◽

Management Program ◽

Direct Mail ◽

Private Forest ◽

Timber Management ◽

Forest Landowners ◽

Nonindustrial Private Forest ◽

Professional Foresters

Abstract To contact and influence forest landowners has been a major challenge for professional forestry. This study in New York found that the involvement of professional foresters in nonindustrial private timber management is limited in scope. However, in a multimedia field experiment, owners were responsive to an offer of information and assistance with timber management. The most effective communication medium was direct mail, followed by newspaper. Radio failed to elicit any responses. In both successful treatments, about 60% of the respondents wanted to begin a supervised forest management program while the remainder wanted information only. North. J. Appl. For. 5:240-245, December 1988.

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From timber management to forest management: an initial discussion on forest management evolution

Journal of Forest Science ◽

10.17221/4576-jfs ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 51 (No. 9) ◽

pp. 412-429 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

M. S Iftekhar

Keyword(s):

Forest Management ◽

Management Practices ◽

Timber Management ◽

Nature Protection ◽

Management Paradigms ◽

Recent Trends ◽

Triggering Mechanisms ◽

Over Time ◽

Anthropic Pressure ◽

Ownership Patterns

Forests have been subject to human intervention since the inception of human civilization. With enhanced knowledge, understanding and capacity humans exert an increasing pressure and influence on forests. Forests in general have undergone different ownership patterns. The requirements for forests have changed over time. The objectives of forest management are shifting from timber production to biodiversity conservation and nature protection. On the other hand, in many places the forests are dwindling due to the anthropic pressure. The management paradigms are changing in response to these triggering mechanisms. In this paper an attempt has been made to summarize the evolution of forest management practices and discuss some recent trends in forest management.

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Improving Communications to Increase Nonindustrial Private Forest Landowner (NIPF) Participation in Forest Certification Programs: A Case Study in Arkansas, USA

Forests ◽

10.3390/f13010086 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 86

Author(s):

Elena C. Rubino ◽

Nana Tian ◽

Matthew H. Pelkki

Keyword(s):

Forest Management ◽

Information Sources ◽

Timber Harvesting ◽

Perceived Usefulness ◽

Forest Certification ◽

Private Forest ◽

Certification Programs ◽

Management Actions ◽

Nonindustrial Private Forest ◽

Nipf Landowners

Despite the socioeconomic and ecological significance of the 10.4 million acres of forestland owned by nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners across Arkansas (approximately 58% of forestland in the state), only 5% of this land is certified through the American Tree Farm System. As such, understanding how to improve the reach and content of communications to NIPF landowners is vital for expanding certification participation and subsequent improvement of forest management in Arkansas and throughout the southern United States. To explore current and optimal communications to increase NIPF participation, we employed Berlo’s source–message–channel–receiver (SMCR, 1960) model to analyze survey data collected from Arkansas NIPF landowners regarding their familiarity with, interest in, and information sources for forest certification programs. Our results indicate that NIPF landowners have a relatively low familiarity with certification programs and a low interest in adopting a certification program regardless of personal involvement throughout the certification process, the transparency of on-sight inspections to the public, and the requirements of forest management plans. However, positive correlations were found between self-reported familiarity with certification programs and the perceived usefulness of various information sources, indicating that communications to NIPF landowners have the ability to be influential. Furthermore, the results showed that the greatest perceived benefits to landowners were improved timber growth and health, better management actions, and environmentally-friendly timber harvesting, whereas the most concerning perceived drawbacks were increased record-keeping and paperwork as well as management costs. These findings will offer actionable insights into future messaging campaigns and provide directions for new approaches of reaching NIPF landowners to increase their participation in forest certification.

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From Timber to Forests and People: A View of Nonindustrial Private Forest Research

Northern Journal of Applied Forestry ◽

10.1093/njaf/14.4.189 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 189-193 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Andrew F. Egan

Keyword(s):

Forest Management ◽

Private Landowners ◽

Private Forest ◽

Forest Research ◽

Timber Management ◽

Private Forests ◽

Assistance Programs ◽

Private Forest Management ◽

Nonindustrial Private Forest ◽

Published Research

Abstract The published research on nonindustrial private forests (NIPFs) and their owners is substantial. Early works have focused on the role these lands may play in meeting predicted timber shortages. Later research on the NIPF situation appeared more motivated by private forest management than timber management, and more interested in the NIPF owner as a person than as a timber supplier. Correspondingly, much of the research on forestry assistance programs has been critical of their traditional timber-only approach. Many researchers have agreed that the success of such efforts hinges on their ability to address the diverse forestry objectives of private landowners rather than focusing narrowly on the advancement of timber management. North. J. Appl. For. 14(4):189-193.

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Segmenting Southern Nonindustrial Private Forest Landowners on the Basis of Their Management Objectives and Motivations for Wood-Based Bioenergy

Southern Journal of Applied Forestry ◽

10.1093/sjaf/35.2.87 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 35 (2) ◽

pp. 87-92 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Omkar Joshi ◽

Sayeed R. Mehmood

Keyword(s):

Forest Management ◽

Alternative Fuels ◽

Multiple Objective ◽

Private Forest ◽

Educational Strategies ◽

Forest Landowners ◽

Outreach Programs ◽

Management Objectives ◽

Nonindustrial Private Forest ◽

Nipf Landowners

Abstract This study segments nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners in Arkansas, Florida, and Virginia on the basis of their forest management objectives and their willingness to supply wood-based biomass for bioenergy. A two-step cluster analysis was used to segment NIPF landowners of all three states into three distinct groups, namely bioenergy conservationists, multiple-objective landowners, and passive landowners. The results revealed that there was notable variation among NIPF landowners in terms of their interest in wood-based bioenergy and forest management objectives. A solid majority of bioenergy conservationists (58%) were familiar with the concept of producing alternative fuels from wood. Similarly, multiple-objective landowners' willingness to supply wood-based biomass (63%) was highest among all three segments. Bioenergy-friendly conservationists and multiple-objective landowners were more likely to be receptive to outreach activities. Further, given low motivation scores for passive managers, this group of landowners would require focused outreach programs to increase their interest in bioenergy. This study suggested appropriate outreach and educational strategies to communicate with each audience segment.

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