Q. I have some woodland property, but I don’t know much about taking care of it. I want to manage it to produce income and provide woodland values such as wildlife and personal recreation. How could the Cooperative help me?
A. The Cooperative is composed on many members just like you; they have faced that same question and have determined the answer with the help of resource professionals and discussions with other Cooperative members. The first step as a new Cooperative member is gathering the information and advice you need to determine your management objectives. Sometimes the deciding on the “desired future condition for your woodland” can help you form your management objectives, since the ability to meet your management objectives depend on the condition and productivity of your woodland over time.

Q. I don’t really know much about the resources on my woodland – what resources exist, and how much value they have. How can I find out?
A. A Cooperative forester can help by doing a “cruise” of the existing resources. Knowing what values you have on your woodland is one of the first steps in becoming a knowledgeable woodland manager.

Q. How can the Co-op help me set up my woodland for long term management?
A. The Cooperative has professional foresters who can work with you to prepare a management plan based on your management and ownership objectives. The plan will be your “blueprint” for meeting your own objectives, and will guide you in deciding what management activities are needed, when they should be done, and how they should be done to meet Forest Practices Act requirements, achieve the best economic returns, and keep your woodland productive for the future. Another important value of the Cooperative is discussing your woodland management situation and objectives with other woodland owners. Their years of experience can be invaluable in helping you the future you desire for your woodland.

Q. What is the advantage of working with a Cooperative’s professional forester?
A. The advantages of working within the Cooperative, and using the services of a Cooperative forester, are: continuity of management over time, capturing added market values available by representing a larger share of the resource available to the market, and using other Cooperative woodland owners as an information sharing and learning environment.

Q. I know that I want to harvest some timber – how can the Cooperative help me?
A. Most woodland owners can use some help in harvesting their timber. A Cooperative forester can provide the help you need, whether it’s in determining what timber is ready for harvest, laying out the harvest area, acquiring competent and competitive loggers, administering the harvest operation, or marketing the timber for its highest value.

Q. How much will it cost to use the services of the Cooperative’s professional forester?
A. The Cooperative charges a very small percentage of the value received for the timber to pay for administrative costs of operating the service provider program.. The services of a professional forester are set by fee schedule approved by the Cooperative for services are provided. Other services provided by the forester are at an hourly rate approved by the Cooperative.

Q. How does the Cooperative’s process work?
A. The Cooperative is a business organization whose aim is to serve the members. The operating procedures of the Cooperative are designed to maintain quality, efficiency, and accountability in all it’s dealings with members. This requires a detailed process that meshes field and office procedures, and the necessary bookkeeping to ensure that legal (tax and fiscal requirements) are met. A number of services are provided upon request by the member/client. This may include management planning, inventory, harvest layout and administration, tree planting, moisture, control, tubing, brush control or other services. The cost for these activities is based on a time and materials fee schedule.

Q. I am a non-resident woodland owner. How can the Cooperative help me?
A. The professional forester can cruise your property to determine existing resources. You and the professional forester can use that information to prepare a management plan that outlines your objectives, identifies the necessary management activities over time necessary to achieve them, and calculates the amount and values of present and future resource products and values. As a non-resident owner, you may wish to have periodic monitoring of your property to be aware of trespass, such as dumping and unauthorized vehicle use, as well as potential fire, insect, or disease hazards. This service can also be provided by the Cooperative.

Q. The Cooperative is governed by a Board of Directors. How are they elected, what are their duties, and how long do they serve?
A. Five Directors are elected by and from the membership; with each Director serving a term of three years. The Directors are the governing body for all Cooperative business, as outlined in the By-Laws. Officers to carry on specified duties specified in the By-Laws are elected within and from the Board of Directors.

Q. How long does my membership last? Does it automatically pass on to my heirs?
A. Your membership does not have an expiration date, and continues until or less the member withdraws or dies. The Board of Directors may terminate membership for failure to comply with the By-Laws, breaching any contract with the Cooperative, or has not utilized the services of the Cooperative within a period specified in the By-Laws. Heirs may continue membership in the Cooperative by written notice to the Board within 90 days, and subsequent Board approval.

Q. I would like my woodland to pass on to my heirs in a manner that would encourage and/or allow them to continue to manage it as woodland. Can the Cooperative help me determine how to do this?
A. Passing a functioning and productive woodland to heirs is called “intergenerational succession”, and usually requires legal, accounting, and resource expertise to accomplish it effectively – and without significant tax or other liabilities. The Cooperative can provide only the resource expertise. However, many of the Cooperative’s members have experience in the process, and can provide sources of assistance and knowledge they have gained. Sharing information about topics such as intergenerational succession is an important value of belonging to the Cooperative.