Changes to auction webpages for state trust land timber sales not only will provide one-stop shopping for potential timber purchasers and contract harvesters, but will save DNR $36,000 each year. Until now, all auction booklets and bidding information were printed and mailed to interested potential purchasers—hundreds mailed each month. To provide the more effective service and save funds, DNR is consolidating this information for our business community and making it easier to obtain.
Now shown on one webpage are two different opportunities to submit bids for trust timber: timber sales at the monthly public auctions held at DNR region offices and harvesting contracts, which include harvests to improve forest health and long-term productivity, and also to reduce fire risks. Contract harvesting is often used for areas of trust forests with sensitive habitat in which DNR wants to oversee harvest activities directly. We also use contract harvesting where there are a variety of specific ‘log sorts’ or different types of products that we want to market to potential purchasers.
All 2.1 million acres of green-certified state trust forests statewide provide many products—large structural lumber, poles, engineered wood products, bio-fuels and fiber—that earn non-tax revenue mostly to build our state’s schools and universities. These trust forests also are diverse habitat and offer countless recreational opportunities for the public.
See a DNR video on how we manage timber harvests.
