Lake States Region
Our forestry consultants and land management professionals in the Lake States region are here to serve you
After acquiring land, it can be a challenge to know how to care for it. The land sustains so much life for countless species, and providing proper land management is an important responsibility. That’s where AFM comes in. We want to be your trusted partner who dreams with you about what is possible on your property and walks you through the steps to make it a reality. Our commitment to sustainability and stewardship means we will treat your property like it’s our own, and we follow all applicable Best Management Practices (BMPs), Safe Harbor Agreements, and all other state and federal requirements to ensure that your land or investment remains healthy and thriving for generations.
The land and forest management experts in AFM’s Lake States Region are local specialists with deep knowledge of the area’s climate, tree species, soil types, vegetation, wildlife, and more. As such, they are equipped to help you with the goals and objectives for your property and offer these region-specific services:
- Real Estate: Whether you’re looking for a small weekend getaway destination, a sizeable 300-acre tract for recreational opportunities, or large investment-grade timber tracts, our real estate agents can help you find your ideal tract. Our national expertise, coupled with regional knowledge, makes us the most equipped to conduct thorough research and market analysis to identify the highest and best use of your property. You will receive a custom, tailor-made strategy to attract top-dollar offers through our effective marketing and sales methods.
- Tax Programs: When implementing a timber harvest, we can assist clients with tax programs, including the Commercial Forest Program (MI), Qualified Forest Program (MI), and Managed Forest Law (WI).
- Carbon Projects: The carbon market is dynamic, and AFM has relationships with several carbon developers who work with landowners of all shapes and sizes. Whether you’re interested in exploring the carbon market or maintaining an existing carbon project, we can help.
- Timber sales: Our foresters will oversee timber harvest permitting, log marketing, and contract administration. We will help develop a harvest prescription designed to meet your objectives, coupled with our experience of managing local forests and addressing local forest health concerns. Our deep knowledge of log markets will help maximize value for each log that is harvested from your property. We also offer log accounting services that track each load to every mill on a daily basis to monitor log quality, rate of production, and mill payment reconciliation. These steps ensure that all parties are properly compensated for their work and that the landowner is receiving full value for their harvested timber.
- Forest Inventory: Thanks to our regional presence across the country, we can provide clients with essential data regardless of forest type, including stand development and age, pre- and post-thinning, carbon, third-party auditing, and more.
- Grants and Cost-Share Programs: We can help landowners apply for grants with the NRCS and other state and federal funds, assist in the development of the treatment prescriptions, and then oversee the execution of those contracts.
- Forest Certifications: Certifications like the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), FSC, and SFI help provide landowners with access to additional timber markets through individual or group options.
The Lake States region encompasses Michigan and Wisconsin. Our Lake States region team managers, Eric Stier (Managing Director, Northern and Central America Operations), Brandon Bal (Lake States Region Manager), and Matt Brooks (District Manager), have a combined total of 70 years of experience. Eric is a member of the Association of Consulting Foresters and serves on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Forest Products Council, and Brandon is a Certified Forester with the Society of American Foresters and a Michigan SFI® SIC Committee Member.
Frequently Asked Questions
American Forest Management is the largest land consulting and real estate brokerage firm in the United States. Despite its size, AFM is committed to treating all landowners with the same level of care and respect, whether they own a small woodlot or a large commercial timberland.
Yes, American Forest Management has a dedicated presence in the Lake States region. The region is served by AFM professionals who provide land consulting and related forestry services to landowners in that area.
AFM provides a contact callout section specifically for the Lake States region on their website. Prospective clients can reach out through that contact resource to connect with the appropriate regional representative.
AFM offers a range of land consulting and forestry services to Lake States landowners. While the specific offerings for the region are detailed on the Lake States page, AFM broadly provides forest management, real estate brokerage for rural land, and related land services tailored to the needs of individual landowners.
AFM works with all types of landowners, not just large corporate clients. The company emphasizes that it treats every landowner with the same level of care and respect, regardless of the size of their property or the scale of their needs.