If you're like most woodland owners, you only have so much time to spend in your forest. Job, family, and other considerations must come first. This is not the case, however, with foresters, loggers, fuelwood cutters, and others who make their living in the woods. When it comes to managing their forests, most woodland owners are part time amateurs dealing in a world of full time professionals, and at some point in time they're likely to need some help.
There are several agencies and associations in Connecticut that offer help to woodland owners. Some provide information, some offer professional assistance, some even offer financial assistance. There are so many potential sources of help, in fact, that it's easy to confuse one with the other. Yet learning where these sources are and what each one can do for you is probaby the single most important step a woodland owner can take.
What follows are descriptions of a number of public and private sources of information and assistance for forest owners. Contact your local Cooperative Extension office or Connecticut Division of Forestry Service Forester for more details.
The University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System (CES) is an educational agency which is part of UConn's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. It is the link between University researchers and the people who stand to benefit from their work. The Extension System has an office in every county (addresses and phone numbers are at the bottom of this page) where professional educators are available to answer questions and provide information on a wide variety of topics. Currently, a professional Forestry Educator is housed in the Brooklyn office, the Connecticut Forest Stewardship Program Forester (see also FSA) is housed in the Haddam office, and an Urban and Community Forestry Educator is housed in the West Hartford Office.
The Extension System also offers periodic workshops, field days and short courses, and produces a variety of educational publications. To obtain a list of publications available from the Cooperative Extension System, write to the CIT Bulletin Room, Box U-35, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-4035 or visit our publications page and order form.
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Division of Forestry has Service Foresters who can spend a limited amount of time on-the-ground with a landowner providing forestry advice and assistance. There is no fee. A visit from your Service Forester is a wise first step in any forest stewardship program. He/she can provide you with:
(See the bottom of this page for the DEP Service Forestry office nearest you.)
The Division of Forestry also operates the state forest tree nursery at Voluntown. Connecticut landowners who intend to establish a forest or Christmas tree planting on one acre or more may purchase conifer seedlings from the nursery for what it costs to grow them. Limited quantities of hardwood seedlings, a windbreak package, and a wildlife package are also available. Contact your Service Forester for more information.
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Division of Wildlife can provide advice and information on all aspects of wildlife biology and management, including habitat management, nuisance animals and damage, injured and orphaned wildlife, and hunting related questions. The Division has a series of fact sheets on the biology and management of different wildlife species and on habitat improvement practices which are available on request.
In eastern Connecticut, contact the DEP Eastern District Headquarters, 209 Hebron Road, Marlborough, CT 06447 (Tel: 860-295-9523). In western Connecticut, contact the DEP Western District Headquarters, 230 Plymouth Road, Harwinton, CT 06791 (Tel: 860-485-0226).
Department of Environmental Protection Natural Resources Center is a dynamic storehouse of information on Connecticut's natural resources. The center maintains detailed data on Connecticut's earth, water and coastal resources, including rare and endangered species, and Connecticut's natural history. A directory of information and publications available may be obtained by contacting the Natural Resources Center, Department of Environmental Protection, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106 (Tel: 860-424-3540).
The Deputy State Entomologist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven is responsible for issuing phytosanitary certificates. Contact Carol Lemmon at (203) 974-8474 for more information.
Farm Service Agency (FSA) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture which will pay up to 75% of the cost a woodland owner incurs by implementing certain forest management practices. Reimbursement is provided under two programs:
Look for FSA under "United States Government- Department of Agriculture" in the blue pages of your telephone directory, or contact your Service Forester.
Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture which offers information and technical assistance to landowners on soils and soil conservation. NRCS has mapped the entire state for soil types and can provide information, including a soils map, on your soils, their characteristics and their potential management problems or limitations. NRCS also offers technical assistance for locating and constructing woods roads, controlling soil erosion, and wildlife management.
NRCS works closely with the Soil and Water Conservation Districts, which exist throughout the state. A landowner can become a district cooperator by signing an agreement to conserve soils and water resources. Several districts also sell tree and shrub seedlings to landowners. Look for NRCS under "United States Government - Department of Agriculture" in the blue pages of your telephone directory.
Consulting foresters are private independent professionals who earn their living managing forestland for woodland owners. They also serve as the landowner's representative in marking, tallying and marketing timber and other forest products. Most offer a full range of forest and wildlife management services. They charge for their services, either on a per diem basis or as a percentage of gross income received for wood products sales which they oversee. Your Service Forester or Extension Educator can provide a list of certified consulting foresters in your area.
Industrial Foresters work for a wood using industry, usually a sawmill. Most offer professional marketing services if you sell your timber to their employer; a few offer comprehensive management services as well. The cost of their services is usually not charged directly to the landowner, but incorporated into the price received for the timber purchased. Your Service Forester or Extension Educator can provide a list of cerified industrial foresters in your area.
Connecticut Christmas Tree Growers Association encourages state-of-the-art Christmas tree management through informational field meetings and newsletter. Contact CCTGA through Michael Pochan, Secretary, 920 West Street, Guilford, CT 06437.
Connecticut Forest & Park Association is dedicated to conserving Connecticut's forests, wildlife, and natural resources. The association sponsors informational events, and publishes a periodic newsletter in addition to the quarterly magazine "Connecticut Woodlands." Contact CFPA, 16 Meriden Road, Rockfall, CT 06481, Tel: (860)346-2372.
Eastern Connecticut Forest Landowners Association promotes forest stewardship by providing local forest management and marketing information. ECFLA publishes bimonthly newsletters, an annual directory of local resources for woodland owners, and hosts bi-annual field programs. Contact ECFLA at PO Box 404, Brooklyn, CT 06234.
Maple Syrup Producers Association of Connecticut promotes maple sugaring for fun and/or profit. MSPAC sponsors bi-annual field programs, members receive a bi-annual newsletter and free subscriptions to the "Maple Syrup Journal" and the "Maple Digest." Contact MSPAC through Tricia Kasulaitis, Secretary, 69 Goose Green Road, New Hartford, CT 06057, Tel: (860)379-8787.
Bethel Cooperative Extension System
Brooklyn Cooperative Extension System
Haddam Cooperative Extension System
North Haven Cooperative Extension System
Norwich Cooperative Extension System
Torrington Cooperative Extension System
Vernon Cooperative Extension System
W Hartford Cooperative Extension System
State Administrative Office
Cooperative Extension System locations
67 Stony Hill Road
Bethel, CT 06801-3056
Tel: 203-797-4176
139 Wolf Den Road
Brooklyn, CT 06234-1729
Tel: 860-774-9600
1066 Saybrook Road,
P.O. Box 70
Haddam, CT 06438-0070
Tel: 860-345-4511
305 Skiff Street
North Haven, CT 06473
Tel: 203-789-7865
562 New London Turnpike
Norwich, CT 06360-6599
Tel: 860-887-1608
1304 Winsted Road
Torrington, CT 06790
Tel: 860-626-6240
24 Hyde Avenue
Vernon, CT 06066-4599
Tel: 860-875-3331
West Hartford Campus
University of Connecticut
1800 Asylum Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117-2600
Tel: 860-570-9010
Cooperative Extension System
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
University of Connecticut
1376 Storrs Road, U-36
Storrs, CT 06269-4036
Tel: 860-486-6271The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Division of Forestry
DEP Western District HQ
230 Plymouth Road
Harwinton, CT 06791
Tel: 860-485-0226
DEP Eastern District HQ
209 Hebron Road
Marlborough, CT 06447
Tel: 860-295-9523
Goodwin State Forest
23 Potter Road
North Windham, CT 06256
Tel: 860-455-0699
Click Picture for an enlarged view if you can not see which district you are located in.