How to Get Free Land Stewardship Assistance

Alexis Monti
Nov 26
2 min read

If you own woodlands—whether a few acres or a sprawling forest—you have the power to be a woodland steward. The My St. Croix Woods initiative makes the transition from simple ownership to active stewardship easier by offering free, personalized resources to help landowners care for their woods, whether that means protecting wildlife habitat, maintaining healthy trees, or ensuring their woods remain natural and resilient for years to come.

**Example of resources included in a completed landowner info packet**

One of the most commonly used features of the My St. Croix Woods website is our survey to receive a free personalized land management info packet. Since 2019, Wild Rivers Conservancy staff have been providing landowners within the St. Croix watershed free technical assistance through our short, landowner interest survey.

Here’s how it works:

Visit Become a Woodland Steward | My St Croix Woods to access the questionnaire.
Share your priorities: Fill out a simple, short form describing your land, your interests, and your goals (~5 minutes)
Choose your delivery method: Whether digital or print, the information comes in the format that works best for you.
Receive tailored resources: Within 5–10 business days, you’ll get a packet of hand-picked resources designed specifically for your property. These resources are meant to answer your stewardship questions, connect you to qualified programs, and offer professional guidance.
Schedule a site visit with a forester (optional): At the end of the form you have the option to ask for a free, in-person site visit with a forester. Many landowners find this service immensely helpful although it is not required for technical assistance. To learn more about what a site visit is, check out this great resource from My Wisconsin Woods: What to Expect from a Site Visit: Forester and Landowner Perspectives

This individualized approach ensures that landowners aren’t overwhelmed with generic advice—they get practical, actionable guidance that fits their unique situation. Plus, our resource database is continually updated with the latest research and best practices so you’ll always get the most useful information without having to do all the background research yourself.

By becoming an active steward, you’re not just managing land—you’re investing in the long-term health of the St. Croix Watershed.

Get started today:

Visit the My St. Croix Woods and complete the “Tell us about your woods” form.
Subscribe to our seasonal newsletter for ongoing tips and updates.
Connect with a forester or local resource professional to deepen your knowledge.

The beautiful St. Croix Watershed, which landowners help to steward - Photo Credit: Craig Blacklock