A cross-sectional analysis of Michigan nonindustrial private forest landowners

Abstract

Incentive and assistance programs for nonindustrial private landowners in Michigan were evaluated for their effectiveness in encouraging forest management activities. This article reports on selected results of a comparative analysis of program enrollment, landowner characteristics, and management accomplishments. The analysis was based on data from a survey of 2,230 nonindustrial private forestland (NIPF) owners who were members of the Michigan Forest Association (MFA) or were enrolled in the Commercial Forest Program (CF), the Forest Stewardship Program (FSP), or the Two-Hearted River Watershed (TRW) landowner program in 2000. With a 55% overall response rate, landowners reported on present and past management activities and program enrollment. To address the question of the effectiveness of incentive programs, this comparative analysis tested the hypotheses that forest management activity reported by Michigan NIPF landowners who were enrolled in several types of incentive programs did not differ significantly by program and that management activity was not significantly explained by landowner demographics and parcel characteristics. Landowner program enrollment was compared with respect to tree-planting, timber harvesting, timber stand improvement, wildlife habitat improvement, and soil and water protection. To examine the differences, if any, between landowners who practice forest management and those who do not, explanatory demographic and parcel characteristic variables also were tested for their effect on management activity levels. Copyright © 2005 by the Society of American Foresters.