Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Technical Assistance and Service Forestry Support for CT Landowners

The Value of Service Forestry | How a Service Forester Can Help | Contact Your Service Forester

The Forestry Division has three Service Foresters available to provide information, advice, and assistance on forest management throughout the State.  

The Value of Service Forestry in Connecticut

Connecticut communities benefit from healthy forests, as they enhance our quality of life. Our forested landscape provides us with clean air and water, wildlife habitat, biodiversity, climate benefits, foraging and game harvesting opportunities, recreational opportunities, and renewable forest products.

Forest management is critical to sustaining these social, ecological, and economic benefits. 

Of Connecticut's 1.8 million forested acres, 73% is privately owned by individuals, families, land trusts, tribal owners, clubs, and corporate owners. Municipalities own an additional 9% of Connecticut's forest land. 

Efforts taken by private and municipal landowners have an enormous influence over the quality and extent of our forests. 

Understanding forests, taking an active interest in their dynamics, and implementing a forest management program are important things that community members can do to promote long-lasting forest health and forest benefits.  

Although harvesting timber is a valuable management tool, forest management is not exclusive to harvesting. 

Forest management and land stewardship practices vary widely and depend on the goals of each landowner. The common thread among landowners is the recognition of the value of the forest’s resources and the importance of the forest to the welfare of society. 

How A Service Forester Can Help  

Technical Assistance 

Would you like to better understand your forested land? Perhaps you know your forest well, but would benefit from guidance to establish, prioritize, or achieve forest management goals. Your Service Forester Can Help.   

This free service is available to private and municipal forest landowners, conservation groups, and other organizations. Service Foresters provide landowners with unbiased management recommendations, reference materials, and additional resources to assist them in understanding and taking action for their woodland.  

Service Foresters can allocate up to one full day per calendar year providing assistance to a given landowner for no charge. Service Foresters can provide the following free services upon request:

  • Discussion: Review woodland concerns and management interests. Establish or review management goals and process and discuss next steps.
  • Maps: Digital images of your property that delineate boundaries and depict topography, soils, and other features.
  • Site Visit: A walk in the woods with your Service Forester. This service is usually limited to woodlands of 10 acres or more.
  • Woodland Evaluation: A follow-up to the site visit. A description of your woodland including a numeric summary of plant and tree species, invasive species and other forest concerns, wildlife habitat quality, site conditions and more.
  • Recommended Action Steps: A list of unbiased management activities that are tailored to your interests and needs including next step options and potential opportunities for financial  assistance.  

Advice and technical assistance to forest landowners can include the following topics:

  • Forest Stewardship Planning
  • Wildlife Habitat Enhancement
  • Forest Products Management
  • Invasive Species Management
  • Christmas Tree Management
  • Forest Recreation and Aesthetic Enhancement
  • Property Boundary Location and Marking
  • Mapping of Forest Features
  • Forest Health, Insect and Disease Problems
  • Climate-Smart Forestry and Forest Carbon Markets
  • Forest Land Conservation and Protection Options
  • Federal and State Funding Opportunities and Incentive Programs 

In some circumstances, a Service Forester can facilitate the development of a landowner's Stewardship Plan, which is a long-term plan for the future of the forest. 

While Service Foresters do not write Forest Stewardship Plans for landowners, a Service Forester will provide a landowner with important components of a Forest Stewardship Plan following a property visit.  

Following the Service Forester's input, landowners are recommended to contact resource professionals, such as a certified forester, who can work directly with the landowner toward the next steps in forest stewardship planning and management.

Education and Outreach

In addition to services for private and municipal forest landowners, Service Foresters educate Connecticut's communities about various forest-related topics. Educational programs are available to community groups, municipalities, land trusts, schools and youth, forest practitioners, natural resource professionals, and others who want to learn more about forests in Connecticut.   

Service Foresters can provide:  

  • Forest walks 
  • Virtual educational programs  
  • In-person presentations and workshops 
  • Participation as a speaker or exhibitor at an event  

Contact Your Service Forester

For information specific to your forest, or if you wish to learn more about how a Service Forester can help with your private or municipal forest, contact your Service Forester.

To request a Forester for an educational event or program, please complete the Education and Outreach Request Form.

Content last updated July 2024.