Michigan Forest Pathways
Where forest & forestry resources come together for all users!

Sponsored by the Michigan Forest Association and Michigan State University Extension

Partners in Forest and Forestry Education and Practice

“It is a certainty that demands on the world’s forest lands will become greater while the area
available for forest production will decrease … The question facing us is not whether to use
the forest resource but how to use it wisely for the greatest benefit to man in the long term.”
-Bruce Zobel, Forest Geneticist

DESCRIPTIONS OF FOREST/FORESTRY RELATED ORGANIZATIONS/RESOURCES
Click on Logo for Link	Organization Name	Brief Description of Organization Related to Forestry Education
	Association of Consulting Foresters, Michigan Chapter	On-the-ground forest management education for private landowners that are our clients. Individual members' websites, workshops for members and invitees, individual management plans for landowners developed on a fee basis. Many individual members volunteer time in their local working area for education and outreach.
	Michigan Association of Conservation Districts	Share forestry information with 80 county districts through the state: forest health, reforestation, consulting, etc. Our statewide organization is just forming (in 2005/2006) and we are still in the planning stages of how we will operate this committee.
	Michigan Association of Timbermen	Represents the forest products industry of Michigan. Work to acquire greater exposure and understanding of the issues and yet untapped economic potential of Michigan's Forest Industry. Provide effective representation for Michigan's forest industry with legislators and government officials to favorably influence public policy and legislation.
	Michigan Department of Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Division Pesticide & Plant Pest Management Division	The MDA Environmental Stewardship Division administers forestry assistance program grants through Conservation Districts to provide technical assistance to private landowners, local government, and other citizens on forestry issues. The MDA Pesticide & Plant Pest Management Division coordinates international exports of wood products, Emerald Ash Borer program (ash reduction strategies, regulatory requirements), and pesticide certifications for silvicultural treatments.
	Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources Forest, Mineral & Fire Management Division	Provides technical assistance to private forest landowners, Michigan citizens, and other professionals where appropriate. Administers the Forest Stewardship Program and Urban Forestry Program. Serves as a direct connection to other US Forest Service programs. Provides support for an MSU faculty member for forestry related research. Members of DNR FMFMD host workshops, and service foresters provide on-site technical assistance.
	Michigan Forest Association	Represents Michigan's private forest landowners. Publishes "Michigan Forests" magazine & "Leaves" newsletter. Hosts workshops and annual association meeting. Advocates sound forest policies to state legislature. Provides access to forestry information and services.
*Link*	Michigan Forest Products Council	The MFPC is an umbrella organization working with many Boards, Committees and Taskforces including the Michigan Forest Resource Alliance (MFRA), Project Learning Tree (PLT), the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), the Michigan Pulp, Paper & Products Environmental Council (MPPEC), to educate, inform, and lead in maintaining the healthy forest and forest products industry in Michigan.
*Link*	Michigan Forest Resource Alliance	Sponsors Teaching Responsible Environmental Education (TREE) and Michigan Forests Forever (MFF) programs for youth, supports Project Learning Tree and UP/LP Auto Tours, logging demonstrations, teacher tours, television and newspaper ads, video productions, displays at various fairs/conventions/festivals, and brochures.
	Michigan Society of American Foresters	Advocates for Michigan's forests and the forestry profession. Hosts UP Auto Tour, legislative tours, professional conferences, newsletters, and education materials available from the Michigan website (SAF Tours, MFRA Auto Tour, Forest Information, Teachers links, etc.) The National website features education materials and K-12 forestry links.
	Michigan State University Department of Forestry	Society of American Foresters accredited undergraduate and graduate programs in forestry. Maintains website hosting extensive collection of forestry bulletins and consulting forester directory. Conducts primary research in a range of forestry disciplines.
	Michigan State University Extension	Provides forestry-related information to forest landowners, other citizens, and professionals based on research and information from the university. This includes such topics as general forest management, pest and disease problems, harvesting techniques, tree planting and socioeconomic influences. The website provides many bulletins electronically. Most workshops, presentations, programs and materials are provided through the Forestry Area of Expertise (AoE) Team. MSUE also develops and maintains a host of written bulletins.
	Michigan Technological University School of Forest Resources & Environmental Science	The Michigan Tech School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science provides BS, MF, MS, and PhD degree programs. Areas of research and study include Forestry, Forest Ecology & management, Applied Ecology & Environmental Science, Wildlife Ecology & Management, Forest Science, and Forest Molecular Genetics & Biotechnology. The Ford Center and Research Forest provides additional education and outreach opportunities such as Summer Youth Programs and Teacher Institutes, Wildland Firefighter Training, Sugarbush Management, Isle Royale Institutes, Wolf Ecology Workshops, Hardwood Bucking for Grade, and Log Scaling and Grading Workshops. http://forest.mtu.edu
	Michigan Tree Farm	Hosts Tree Farm Field Days, scholarship program, works with Project Learning Tree. Information through websites, field days, and advocacy programs (both state and national).
	Michigan United Conservation Clubs	MUCC Forestry Committee--new state forest and eco-regional management planning process, compartment review process, House & Senate bill proposals.
	Natural Resources Conservation Service	Forestry training for NRCS, Conservation Districts and the public through workshops, seminars, conferences, and programs related to the Farm Bill.
	Project Learning Tree - Michigan	Project Learning Tree is a national curriculum for pre-K through 12th grade students. Conducts workshops, displays, attendance at conferences, partnerships, pamphlets, teacher handouts, etc.
	Resource Conservation & Development Councils Sauk Trails RC&D Potawatomi RC&D Timberland RC&D Upper Peninsula RC&D Huron Pines RC&D Saginaw Bay RC&D Conservation Resource Alliance Southeast Michigan RC&D	Program objectives focus on improvement of quality of life achieved through natural resources conservation and community development. The goals of the program include developing sustainable communities, encouraging prudent development, and managing and conserving natural resources. RC&D areas are locally sponsored areas designated by the Secretary of Agriculture for RC&D technical and financial assistance program funds. Each RC&D area has a community-based program established and governed by local leaders. Each area is sponsored by the counties and Conservation Districts within its boundaries. Other organizations and units of government may also be co-sponsors.
	USDA Forest Service Huron-Manistee National Forest Hiawatha National Forest Ottawa National Forest	Hiawatha National Forest Clear Lake Education Center and Ottawa National Forest Camp Nesbit outdoor classrooms, school programs, education materials. Huron-Manistee National Forest - conducts community & school programs, statewide programs, including info on Kirtland's Warbler, fire prevention, black bears in Michigan, rocks & minerals, Firewise, fire ecology, and invasive plants. Regional event calendar at [http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/ce/content/special/upcoming_events/index.cfm].
	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Seney National Wildlife Refuge (eUP) and Kirtland's Warbler Wildlife Mngt. Area (nLP)	These two land units of the National Wildlife Refuge System are dedicated to the preservation, conservation, and restoration of forest ecosystems for wildlife benefit.
	Western UP Center for Science, Mathematics, and Environmental Education	After School Science-Outdoor Investigations, grades 1-8 forest field trip program for 19 school districts in 5 counties, teacher professional development one-day workshops and week-long institutes, conducts 20 family science & family forest nights each year. Offers teacher professional development, forest field trips, and promotes use of school forests.
	Michigan Coalition for Clean Forests (Adopt-A-Forest)	Coalition dedicated to keeping Michigan's public land free of illegally dumped trash. www.cleanforests.org

TRAILER- This website was created by a consortium of forestry groups to help streamline information about forestry and coordinate forestry activities designed to benefit the family forest owner and various publics that make up our Michigan citizenry. This website is maintained by Bill Cook, Michigan State Extension Forester/Biologist. Direct comments to cookwi@msu.edu or 906-786-1575.

Michigan State University is an affirmative action equal opportunity institution. The U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital status or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)