Shared Stewardship Strategy

What is Forest Stewardship?

Forest stewardship is the engineering of healthy forests in an ecologically and environmentally responsible manner. Forest stand management is key to soil and water quality, wildlife habitat and the natural/aesthetic quality of the woods. Unhealthy stands lack resiliency, diversity and can lead to catastrophic fires resulting in poor soil productivity 

and an increased possibility of non-native species invasion. Stewardship West partners with various agencies by negotiating agreements and implementing contracts with qualified restoration specialists to carry out our mission of protecting the health and welfare of our forests for current and future generations. 

Stewardship Activities

  • Removing vegetation or other activities to promote healthy forest stands, reduce wildfire hazards, or achieve other land management objectives
  • Restoration and maintenance of wildlife and fish habitat
  • Watershed restoration and maintenance
  • The setting of prescribed fires to reduce wildfire hazards, improve the composition, structure, and health of forest stands
  • Road and trail maintenance or obliteration to restore and maintain water quality
  • Control of noxious and exotic weeds and reestablishment of native plant species

Our Keys to Success

  • Partners share mutual interests and mutual benefits
  • Collaborative effort between USFS, cooperator, and community
  • All parties contribute to the project
  • All project elements are negotiable
  • Utilization of Stewardship Agreements
  • Finding solutions for non-saw timber – a merchandising yard in Fairplay, Colorado
  • Protect watersheds, wildlife, recreation, and communities.
  • A team that is passionate about our mission