swoam

Woodland Owner Organizations

SWOAM /NWOA

Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine (SWOAM Website)

SWOAM was incorporated in 1975 as a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to educate and advocate the management of nonindustrial private woodlands in Maine. SWOAM is a National Woodland Owners Association affiliate. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in Maine's 8 million acres of woodlands that are owned by families and individuals. Membership costs $10 for a student, $24 for an individual, and $30 for a family. Memberships provides:

Monthly newsletter about forest management, forestland taxes, wood marketing, wildlife and much more
Access to 8 regional chapters that conduct workshops and tours
Workshops on subjects like forestland taxes and public forestland access
Representation of small woodlot owners in Augusta
Representation at festivals, fairs, and field days
Representation in research and policy forming groups
Central office as an information source

SWOAM also operates a land trust. This is a nonprofit corporation to maintain the integrity of woodland property. This occurs through the gifts of woodland owners. In return, woodland owners may have decreased income, estate, and property taxes. Woodland owners also receive satisfaction in knowing that their land will be used for education and research, and will be properly managed. Gifts can be given to the trust in four different ways:

Easement: Permanent transfer of specific landuse rights like access or right to develop (conservation easement)
Fee Simple: Outright gift of property, including all landuse rights
Reserved Life Estate: Fee simple gift, but retain use (residency) of property during lifetime
Testamentary Gift: Gift upon death

Contact: Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine; 153 Hospital Street PO Box 926; Augusta ME 04332; 626-0005

National Woodland Owners Association (NWOA)

Like the small woodlot owners of Maine (SWOAM), NWOA is an organization whose purpose is to educate and advocate the management of nonindustrial private woodlands. Unlike SWOAM, NWOA is a national organization, of which SWOAM is an affiliate. Membership costs $25/year and includes

Quarterly National Woodlands Magazine: written by woodland owners for woodland owners
Eight Woodland Reports with news from Washington D.C. and state capitols on forestry issues affecting your woodlot
Free introductory consultation with a forester if desired (need to own >20 acres of forest)
Latest information on forestland taxes, issues, and assistance
Annual updates of the top 10 forestry issues
Representation in Washington D.C.
NIPF (nonindustrial private forestland owner) hotline to forestry assistance 1-800-476-8733 (GRO-TREE)

NWOA has a sister organization at the same address, called the National Forestry Association (NFA). This organization provides professional forestry referrals and is beginning a Green Tag forestry program to recognize sustainable woodland management. Those woodlots "Green Tagged" receive a sign that says that their forest practices are certified by the NFA. For a similar program see the consultants page.

Contact: National Woodland Owners Association; 374 Maple Ave East Suite 200; Vienna VA 22180; 703-255-2700

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