• Schneider, Brian Jonathan
  University of Maine Graduate School
  

Owners of small, non industrial woodland parcels in the United States maintain heterogeneous management goals for their individual parcels. Research has shown that timber harvesting is becoming less of a priority for this landowner group. In addition, average parcel size doe these ownerships has decreased noticeably over the past 20 years. Parcelization, forest fragmentation and the presence of varied landowner goals complicate the matter of conducting ecologically sound, financially feasible forest management.

The purpose of this study was to present three forestry cooperative models to small, non industrial woodland owners in Maine and to ascertain interest levels. Cooperative models were based on existing organization and have been designed to facilitate ecologically sensitive forest management. The cooperatives are focused on endorsing active timber production in an ecological context while addressing the multitude of landowner objectives.