Forestry Landowner Resources
A short, trusted list of the public agencies, programs, and reference sites we point Mississippi and Alabama landowners to most often. We don't profit from any of these — they're here because they're useful.
State Forestry Commissions
Public agencies that handle wildfire protection, cost-share programs, urban forestry, and state-administered forest health work.
- Mississippi Forestry Commission
Wildfire protection, county forester contacts, and state forestry programs across Mississippi.
- Alabama Forestry Commission
State-level wildfire response, forest stewardship plans, and prescribed burn permitting in Alabama.
Federal Programs
USDA agencies administer most of the cost-share dollars that flow to private forest landowners.
- USDA NRCS — Natural Resources Conservation Service
Home of EQIP, CSP, and other working-lands programs. Landowners enroll through their local NRCS field office.
- USDA Farm Service Agency
Administers CRP and related conservation rental programs, plus farm and timber loan products through county offices.
- U.S. Forest Service — Cooperative Forestry
Federal partner for state forest action plans, Forest Legacy, and the Forest Stewardship Program.
Certification & Stewardship
Voluntary programs that recognize landowners managing for long-term forest health.
- American Tree Farm System (ATFS)
Third-party certification for family forest landowners. See our overview of the ATFS process at /american-tree-farm-certification/.
Maps & Public Data
Free public datasets we actually use when researching tracts.
- MARIS — Mississippi Automated Resource Information System
Mississippi GIS clearinghouse for parcel layers, soils, hydrology, and aerial imagery.
- Alabama GIS Hub
Statewide GIS portal for Alabama mapping data, including topography, soils, and parcels.
Forestry Associations
Member-driven trade groups that advocate for private forest landowners and publish landowner-facing resources.
- Mississippi Forestry Association
Mississippi's statewide forestry association — advocacy, education, and the Magnolia Forestry magazine.
- Alabama Forestry Association
Alabama's statewide forestry association — landowner education, policy, and TREASURE Forest recognition.
Forester Licensing Boards
If you're hiring a consulting forester, verify their registration. We're MS / AL Registered Forester #2175 and Alabama Registered Forester MS2175.
- Mississippi Board of Registration for Foresters
The state board that registers and disciplines Mississippi foresters.
- Alabama State Board of Registration for Foresters
The state board that registers and disciplines Alabama foresters.
Working with a Consulting Forester
Public resources go a long way, but they don't replace independent representation on a specific tract. See what consulting work actually looks like, or read whether consultants really do generate higher prices.
Have a question that isn't answered by a public agency? We'll point you the right way.
Whether you have ten acres or ten thousand, our team works for the landowner — never the mill. Based in Meridian, MS and serving timberland across Mississippi and western Alabama.