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, and Matt Brooks (District Managers), 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.