President’s Message
With each passing year, I find myself reflecting more often on the decisions I have made in my past. As a young man I was naïve to the consequences of many decisions. The results of my actions, only became clear with the perspective offered by time! There were times when “dumb luck” worked in my favor, but more often it was the guidance of a teacher, caring adults or faith leader that helped me avoid pit falls.
There were also opportunities missed, due to inaction, usually the result of other priorities in life. Conversely, in hindsight, some of the best outcomes resulted from my decision to control my own destiny, through action!
It is almost a weekly occurrence when I talk with landowners that don’t know how to move forward in managing a parcel of land. Sometimes they are fortunate to have a healthy, valuable parcel, and are just looking for guidance to maintain the characteristics they value (e.g. high-quality timber, wildlife). Other times, they are confronted with the reality of a poor decision they made in the past, or they have inherited a “mess” from a previous landowner (e.g. low-quality timber, invasive plants, soil erosion concerns).
When hearing their stories of thankfulness, regret or frustration, my initial instinct is to explain the science behind how past land use decisions brought the habitat to its current state and then discuss the management options moving forward. I try to relay optimism for the future by focusing on management options that are available to us and then describing what could be. At this point in my relationship with a landowner, it is easy for them to become overwhelmed and essentially frozen from “analysis paralysis”. To gain clarity, we try to focus on their primary goals and develop a list of management priorities.
Eventually, in every consultation, the topic of practice costs is discussed. Often, due to labor needs, specialty equipment and materials, these activities can become expensive. If the property has quality timber present, management costs can be minimal compared to revenue generated with a proper harvest. In recent decades many government entities and conservation groups have offered cost-share payments as management incentives. Funding levels tend to drive landowner participation and significant accomplishments can be achieved state-wide. BUT, reliance upon these programs can cause good work to come to a screeching halt when program funding decreases (a.k.a. cost-share paralysis).
Most of you reading this message are landowners in Indiana and/or care deeply about the protection and quality of our woodlands and natural areas. Today, these areas face pressures from economic needs, land development, invasive species and apathetic neighbors. As stewards of these lands we see them not just as an asset we hold, but also a responsibility. If you are a capitalist, you know that as things become less common, they increase in value! It is clear that privately-owned, high-quality woodlands are becoming less common. If you are focused on the protection of nature, you know that invasive plants and soil degradation are the enemy of a healthy ecosystem! Whatever your woodland ownership focus may be, as stewards of this land, we recognize the need for planning and action. This responsibility we each hold, is incumbent at all times and not only when subsidized cost-share is available. When the priorities of our personal finances are elsewhere, a little bit of sweat equity can keep your management progress moving forward.
Our goal at the Indiana Woodland Steward is to continue to provide you with articles that expand our understanding of the attributes and benefits provided by healthy woodlands! Our hope is that these articles would inspire and motivate each of us to be active managers, for the benefit of the woodlands we care for. On the inside cover of each issue you can find a list of the organizations that support the Indiana Woodland Steward. At the bottom of each page you will also find contacts for private businesses that are available to help guide you thru the Stewardship process.
We are very thankful for the interest of our 31,000+ subscribers! My hope is that you each will take the destiny of your woodlands into your own hands by actively pursuing educational opportunities, engaging with natural resources professionals and putting your sweat and money where your heart is!
I wish you all a rewarding 2026 in your woodlands!
Sincerely, Dan McGuckin – Indiana Woodland Steward President