Dear Landowner:
Several weeks ago, we sent you a questionnaire inviting you to participate in the National Woodland Owner Survey. You may have intended to complete the questionnaire but perhaps misplaced it or simply forget about it. If you have already returned the completed questionnaire, we apologize for contacting you again, sincerely thank you for your participation, and ask that you disregard this mailing.
However, if you have not returned your questionnaire, we ask you to consider doing so now. For your convenience we have enclosed another copy of the questionnaire and postage-paid return envelope. On average, the survey takes 25 minutes to complete.
Your participation is voluntary, but because of the limited number of landowners asked to participate in the survey, your answers are especially important. This survey is conducted once every 5 years. If you responded during the last cycle, we ask that you respond again.
Your responses will be kept strictly confidential and will be combined with those of others. The results will be used by policy makers, land managers, and public and private service providers to better understand and address issues that are important to landowners like yourself.
If you do not currently own land, please return the questionnaire using the postage-paid return envelope and write on the cover “No Land Owned.”
If you have questions regarding the survey, please call us toll-free at
1-855-233-3372, visit our website at www.fia.fs.usda.gov/nwos/, or write us at USDA Forest Service, National Woodland Owner Survey, 160 Holdsworth Way, Amherst MA 01003.
Brett J. Butler, Survey Director
OMB # 0596-0078
Expiration date: to be updated
Paperwork Reduction Act Notice
A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with an information collection subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 unless the information collection has a currently valid OMB Control Number. The approved OMB Control Number for this information collection is 0596-0078. Without this approval, we could not conduct this survey. Public reporting for this information collection is estimated to be approximately 25 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the information collection. All responses to this information collection are voluntary. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this information collection, including suggestions for reducing this burden to the U.S.D.A. Forest Service email address [email protected] and include the OMB Control Number in the subject line.
Instructions
Please provide answers for all of the wooded land that you own in [STATE]. If you are part of more than one group that owns wooded land, please respond for the group that is listed on the outside of the envelope.
The owner who makes most of the decisions about your wooded land in [STATE] should answer this survey.
If this survey is received by a company or other organization, please have a person knowledgeable about the organization’s wooded land in [STATE] answer this survey.
General Questions About Your land
1. How many total acres of land do you currently own in [STATE]?
_______Acres of land in [STATE]
2. Wooded land covers XX% of [STATE]. Wooded land includes:
Woods, woodlots, timberland, and forests
Land at least 1 acre in size, 120 feet wide, and has at least 10% forest cover
Land at least 1 acre in size, where trees were removed and trees will grow again
Wooded land does not include:
Christmas tree farms, orchards, or nurseries
Land that is mowed for lawn
How many acres of wooded land do you currently own in [STATE]?
_______Acres of wooded land in [STATE]
If you own any wooded land in [STATE], please complete this survey.
If you do not own wooded land in [STATE], please return this survey in the postage-paid envelope provided and write on the cover "No Wooded Land"
General Questions About Your Ownership
3. Which category below best describes your ownership?
Select only one.
Individual
Joint, with husband or wife
Joint, such as with other family members or friends
Family partnership or family LLC or LLP
Family trust or estate
Corporation or business (for-profit)
Corporation or business (non-profit)
Other (please specify):________________________________
4. How many people are a part of this ownership, including you?
_________Owners
5. Do you currently own more than one separate, unconnected property with wooded land in [STATE]?
Yes
No
6. Is your home (primary residence) on or within a mile of any of your wooded land in [STATE]?
Yes
No
Not Applicable
7. Do you have a vacation home or cabin on or within a mile of any of your wooded land in [STATE]?
Yes
No
Not Applicable
8. Do you own any land within a mile of any of your wooded land in [STATE] that is farmed or ranched?
For the purpose of this survey, a farm or ranch is a place where, in most years, $1,000 or more is earned from the sale of crops (other than forest products) or animals.
Yes
No
Not applicable
9. Which of the following water body, if any, do you have on your wooded land in [STATE]?
Select yes or no for each item
Yes No
£ £ Pond/lake
£ £ River/stream/creek
£ £ Wetland/bog
£ £ Other (please specify):
Your Reasons for Owning Wooded Land
10. How important are the following as reasons for why you currently own your wooded land in [STATE]?
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Very Important |
Important |
Moderately Important |
Of little Importance |
Not important |
Not applicable |
To enjoy beauty or scenery |
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To protect nature or biological diversity |
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To protect water resources |
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To protect or improve wildlife habitat |
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For land investment |
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For privacy |
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To raise my family |
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To pass land on to my children or other heirs |
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For cultural/spiritual reasons |
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For firewood |
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For timber products, such as logs or pulpwood |
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For nontimber forest products, such as berries or maple syrup |
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For grazing/shade animals |
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For hunting |
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For recreation, other than hunting |
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The History of Your Wooded Land
11. a. How did you get your wooded land in [STATE]?
Select yes or no for each item
Yes No
£ £ Purchased
£ £ Inherited
£ £ Received as gift
£ £ Other (please specify):
b. In what year did you, personally, first take ownership of your
wooded land in [STATE]?
_________Year
12.a. Have you ever sold or given away any of your wooded land in [STATE]?
Yes
No
Uses of Your Wooded Land
13.Who makes the management decisions, such as whether or not to harvest trees, for your wooded land in [STATE]?
Select yes or no for each item
Yes No
£ £ Me
£ £ My husband or wife
£ £ My children
£ £ My parents
£ £ Another family member
£ £ My business partner
£ £ My land manager or forester
£ £ Other (please specify):
14. A management or stewardship plan may be written in order to help the landowner meet their goals for their wooded land.
a. How familiar are you with these types of plans?
Extremely familiar
Moderately familiar
Somewhat familiar
Slightly familiar
Not at all familiar
b. Do you have a written management or stewardship plan for any of your wooded land in [STATE]?
Yes
No
Don't know
If no or don't know, skip to question 15
If yes, please answer c
c. Have you take actions to implement it?
Yes
No
15. a. What types of products, if any, were cut or removed from any of your wooded land in [STATE] since you have owned it?
Select yes or no for each item
Yes No
£ £ Firewood, for sale
£ £ Firewood, for personal use
£ £ Logs, for sale
£ £ Logs, for personal use
£ £ Wood chips or pulpwood, for sale
£ £ Wood chips or pulpwood, for personal use
£ £ Other (please specify):
b. Was a professional forester used to plan, mark, contract, or oversee any of the cuts?
Yes
No
Don't know
Not applicable
16. Which of the following have occurred on your wooded land in [STATE] in the past 5 years?
Select yes or no for each item
Yes No
£ £ Cut and/or removed trees for sale
£ £ Cut and/or removed trees for own use
£ £ Planted tree
£ £ Collected nontimber forest products, such as berries or ginseng
£ £ Reduced fire hazard
£ £ Controlled burn/prescribed fire
£ £ Eliminated or reduced invasive plants
£ £ Eliminated or reduced unwanted insects or diseases
£ £ Road construction or maintenance
£ £ Trail construction or maintenance
£ £ Improved wildlife habitat
£ £ Livestock grazing
£ £ Other (please specify):
17. Which of the following will likely occur on your wooded land in [STATE] in the next 5 years?
Select yes, no, or don’t know for each item
Yes No/Don’t know
£ £ Cut and/or remove trees for sale
£ £ Cut and/or remove trees for own use
£ £ Plant tree
£ £ Collect nontimber forest products, such as berries or ginseng
£ £ Reduce fire hazard
£ £ Controlled burn/prescribed fire Eliminate or reduce invasive plants
£ £ Eliminate or reduce unwanted insects or diseases
£ £ Road construction or maintenance
£ £ Trail construction or maintenance
£ £ Improve wildlife habitat
£ £ Livestock grazing
£ £ Other (please specify):
18.To encourage good woodland management, groups have created green certification programs to recognize landowners who comply with the groups’ standards. Examples include Tree Farm, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).
a. How familiar are you with green certification?
Extremely familiar
Moderately familiar
Somewhat familiar
Slightly familiar
Not at all familiar
b. Is any of your wooded land in [STATE] currently green certified?
Yes
No
Don't know
19. Some state and local governments have programs that defer, reduce, or eliminate property taxes for wooded land. In [STATE], there are the Tree Growth Tax Law and Open Space Tax Law programs.
How familiar are you with these programs?
Extremely familiar
Moderately familiar
Somewhat familiar
Slightly familiar
Not at all familiar
Is any of your wooded land in [STATE] currently enrolled in one of these programs or a similar one?
Yes
No
Don't know
20. Development rights for land can be sold or voluntarily given away. This is usually in the form of a conservation easement.
a. How familiar are you with this concept?
Extremely familiar
Moderately familiar
Somewhat familiar
Slightly familiar
Not at all familiar
Have development rights been sold or voluntarily given away on any of your wooded land in [STATE] by either you or a previous owner?
Yes
No
Don’t know
Cost-share/financial assistance programs provide landowners with money to help them establish or otherwise manage their wooded land. Examples include the Conservation Reserve Program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program, and various state funded programs.
How familiar are you with cost-share/financial assistance programs?
Extremely familiar
Moderately familiar
Somewhat familiar
Slightly familiar
Not at all familiar
In the past 5 years, have you used a cost-share program to help you establish or manage your wooded land in [STATE]?
Yes
No
Don't know
22. Have you leased any of your wooded land in [STATE] in the past five years for the following
Select yes or no for each item
Yes No
£ £ Logging
£ £ Hunting
£ £ Recreation (other than hunting)
£ £ To graze/pasture livestock
£ £ Solar/wind
£ £ Oil/gas
£ £ Other (please specify):
23. In efforts to reduce the impacts of climate change, public programs and private markets have been created that pay owners of wooded land for capturing or sequestering carbon.
a. How familiar are you with carbon capture programs or markets?
Extremely familiar
Moderately familiar
Somewhat familiar
Slightly familiar
Not at all familiar
b. Is any of your wooded land in [STATE] currently enrolled in one of these carbon capture programs or markets?
Yes
No
Don't know
Recreation on Your Wooded Land
24 a. Who, with your permission, has hunted, hiked, or otherwise recreated on your wooded land in [STATE] in the past 5 years?
Select yes or no for each item
Yes No
£ £ Me and/or my husband or wife
£ £ My children
£ £ Other family members
£ £ Friends
£ £ Neighbors
£ £ The general public for free
£ £ The general public for a fee
£ £ The general public as part of an access program
£ £ Other (please specify):
25. What activity, if any, is posted to restrict access and/or use by the general public on any of your wooded land in [STATE]
Select yes or no for each item
Yes No
£ £ Trespassing
£ £ Hunting
£ £ Motorized vehicles
£ £ Other (please specify):
Sources of Information
26. Have you talked with anyone or received information/advice about
the care, management, or protection of your wooded land in [STATE] in the past 5 years?
Yes
No
Concerns
27. Please indicate your level of concern about each of the following topics for your wooded land in [STATE].
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Great concern |
Concern |
Moderate concern |
Of little concern |
No concern |
Not applicable |
Air pollution |
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Climate change |
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Damage from animals |
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Development of nearby lands |
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Drought or lack of water |
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Damage or noise from off-road vehicles |
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Government regulation |
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High property taxes |
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Invasive plants |
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Keeping land intact for future generations |
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Misuse of wooded land, such as vandalism or dumping |
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Trespassing or poaching |
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Unwanted insects or diseases |
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Water pollution |
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Wildfire |
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Damage from storms |
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Weak timber markets |
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The Future of Your Wooded Land
28. a. How likely is it that you will sell, give away, or otherwise transfer any of your wooded land in [STATE] in the next 5 years?
Extremely likely
Likely
Undecided
Unlikely
Extremely unlikely
29. Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements about the future of your wooded land.
Select one box for each item
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Strongly agree |
Agree |
Neither agree nor disagree |
Disagree |
Strongly disagree |
I want my wooded land to stay wooded |
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I would sell my land if I was offered a reasonable price |
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*Note – In questions throughout the West Texas and West Oklahoma surveys, we will ask landowners about their rangeland or woodland. In addition, ‘fenceposts’ are added in these surveys wherever appropriate. Only select questions will be added to the NWOS Short Form, depending on State needs, and not to exceed 25 minutes.
Which category best describes your ownership?
Select only one.
Individual or family, including trusts, estates, and family partnerships
Corporation
Non-governmental conservation/natural resource organization
Unincorporated local partnership, association, or club
Other (please specify): ________________________
Is this property owned by a legal entity? Select only one.
Yes
No
Don’t know
| If yes, answer b. | If no or don’t know, go to XX.
b. If yes, what is the business form/structure? Select only one. Sole proprietorship
Non profit (501 3c, others)
Partnership
Corporation
C Corporation
S Corporation
REIT
Estates/trusts
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Other (please specify): ___________________
A. Who are the people associated with this ownership? Select yes or no for each item.
Yes No
Me
Spouse
Children
Parents
Other family
Friends
Business Partner(s)
Other (please specify):________
b. How are the involved? Select yes or no for each item.
Yes No
Joint tenancy
Solo tenancy
Tenancy in common
Tenancy by the Entirety
Other (please specify):________
If this is a business, what is the structure? Select yes or no for each item.
Yes No
Sole Proprietorship
Non profit (501 3c, others)
Partnership
Estates/Trusts
C Corporation
S Corporation
REIT
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Other (please specify):________
What is the tax classification of your ownership?
Personal use or hobby
Investment
Trade or business
How is the owning entity taxed?On individual return
As a pass-through entity (e.g., S Corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship)
As an estate or trust
As a C Corporation
What is the legal organization of the owning entity?
No special legal organization (such as sole ownership or co-ownership with a spouse or other family members)
Sole proprietorship
Partnership
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Corporation
Trust
Estate
Other:_________
Is any of your woodland in <STATE> near public forest, parks, or wildlife areas?
Yes
No
Don’t know
If yes, please answer a.
If no, skip to question XX.
Does the closeness of your wooded land to public forestland increase your concerns about insects, wildfires, or trespassing?
Yes
No
Do you have a fish-bearing stream or creek on or abutting your property?
Yes
No
Don’t know
Which of the following describes the stream(s) on your wooded land in [STATE]?
I have stream(s) that flow year-round on my property.
I have seen fish in my stream.
Water from the road/ditch flows into my stream
In high water flows, the stream flows over my road
Dirt from the edge of road falls into the stream
a. Do you have roads on your wooded land in <state>?
Yes
No
Don’t know
If no or don’t know, skip to question X.
If yes, please answer b, c and d.
Which of the following describes the road(s) on your wooded land in <state>?
There are large cracks on one or more of my roads.
There are sinkholes (not a pothole, but a hole you can't drive over) on one or more of my roads
Soil from the uphill side of the one or more of my roads keeps falling onto my road(s).
Do you provide routine road maintenance, (road grading, filling potholes, removing washboards, resurfacing, etc.) on any of the roads in your wooded land in <state>?
Yes
No
Are you familiar with the <state statute/regulation> for Road Maintenance and Abandonment?
Yes
No
[To
be included as a sub-question under question 13 in the short
form]
What percentage of your wooded land in <STATE> is
covered by a management plan or stewardship plan?
______%
[To
be included as a sub-question under question 13 in the short
form]
Which of the following topics are included in your
written management plan?
Beauty or scenery
Recreation
Roads or trails
Timber production
Water protection
Wildlife habitat
Other (please specify):__________________
Do you plan to update your written management plan in the future?
Yes
No
Would you consider having a written stewardship or management plan in the future?
Yes
No
Do you actively manage your wooded land in <STATE>?
Yes
No
If yes, please answer a.
If no, please skip to question XX.
How important are the following as reasons for why you currently manage your wooded land in <STATE>?
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Very important |
Important |
Moderately important |
Of little importance |
Not important |
To enjoy beauty or scenery |
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To protect nature or biological diversity |
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To protect water resources |
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To protect or improve wildlife habitat |
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For land investment |
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For privacy |
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For firewood |
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For timber products, such as logs or pulpwood |
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For nontimber products, such as logs or pulpwood |
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For nontimber forest products, such as berries or maple syrup |
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For hunting |
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For recreation, other than hunting |
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Other |
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Please specify: |
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Do you currently have a written grazing management plan for your wooded land in [STATE]?
Yes
No
Don’t know
If yes, please answer question b.
If no, please answer question c.
Who wrote your livestock grazing management plan?
Select Yes or No for each item
Yes No
I
did
Private consultant
Federal/State/local government employee
Other (please specify):___________
If you don’t have a livestock grazing plan, are you interested in having one?
Yes
No
How interested would you be in having a community-wide written management plan, one that covers your wooded land and other parcels of wooded land in your community?
Extremely interested
Moderately interested
Somewhat interested
Slightly interested
Not at all interested
Which, if any, of the following management practices would you be willing to cooperate with your neighbors on?
Select Yes or No for each item
Yes No
Cutting
or removing trees for sale
Cutting or removing trees for own use
Reducing fire hazard
Controlled burns/prescribed fires
Eliminating or reducing invasive plants
Eliminating or reducing unwanted insects or diseases
Road construction or maintenance
Trail construction or maintenance
Improving wildlife habitat
Livestock grazing
General forest health
Do you know a forester who works with private owners of wooded land in your area?
Yes
No
Do you know of a land trust that works with private owners of wooded land in your area?
Yes
No
Have you worked with a forestry professional on your wooded land in <STATE>?
Yes
No
If yes, answer a.
If no, skip to question XX.
How satisfied were you with your experience working with a forestry professional on your wooded land in <STATE>?
Extremely satisfied
Moderately satisfied
Somewhat satisfied
Not very satisfied
Not at all satisfied
Have you ever received an unsolicited offer from someone asking to buy trees/timber from your wooded land in <STATE>?
Yes
No
[To be included as a sub-question under question 14 in the short form]
Was a professional forester used to do any of the following activities?
Select Yes or No for each item
Yes No
Plan
a cut
Mark trees before they were cut
Contract a cut
Oversee a cut
Was a certified or master logger used for any of the cuts?
Yes
No
Don’t know
Not Applicable
Did you receive multiple bids for your timber?
Yes
No
Don’t know
Not Applicable
[To be included as an additional under question 14 a - What types of products were harvested? in the short form]
Fence posts
Have you experienced any theft of non-timber forest products, such as <REGIONAL EXAMPLES>, on your wooded land in <STATE> in the past 5 years?
Yes
No
Don’t know
Have you experienced any theft of trees/timber products on your wooded land in <STATE> in the past 5 years?
Yes
No
Don’t know
Do you manage any of the nontimber forest products on your wooded land to enhance their productivity through reseeding, vegetation control, or other approaches?
Yes
No
Don’t know
Are gas or oil extracted from your wooded land in <STATE>?
Yes
No
Are gas or oil extracted from neighboring lands?
Yes
No
Don’t know
How familiar are you with following agroforestry practices?
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Extremely familiar |
Moderately familiar |
Somewhat familiar |
Slightly familiar |
Not at all familiar |
Silvopasture -- combining trees with grazing livestock |
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Alley cropping -- planting crops between rows of trees |
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Forest farming -- growing/collecting crops under trees |
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Windbreaks -- growing trees to shelter crops, animals, buildings or soil from wind, snow, dust, or odors |
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Riparian buffers -- growing trees along rivers and streams to filter runoff and prevent erosion |
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Other |
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Please specify: |
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Which, if any, of the following agroforestry practices have occurred on any of your wooded land in <STATE> in the past 5 years?
Select Yes or No for each item
Yes No
Silvopasture
-- combining trees with grazing livestock
Alley cropping -- planting crops between rows of trees
Forest farming -- growing/collecting crops under trees
Windbreaks -- growing trees to shelter crops, animals, buildings or soil from wind, snow, dust, or odors
Riparian buffers -- growing trees along rivers and streams to filter runoff and prevent erosion
Have livestock grazed on any of your wooded land in <STATE> in the past 5 years?
Yes
No
Don’t know
If yes, please go to a.
If no, skip to question XX.
Which, if any, of the following management practices have occurred on your wooded land in <STATE> in the past 5 years?
Select Yes or No for each item
Yes No
Commercial
thinning
Pre-commercial thinning
Marked trees for sale
Planted seedlings
Pruned trees
Monitored for invasives
Other (please specify):_________________
Which, if any, of the following activities have occurred on your wooded land in <STATE> since you have owned it?
Select Yes or No for each item
Yes No
Cut
brush
Reduced or removed invasive plants
Planted trees or seedlings
Used herbicides
Used prescribed fire
Which, if any, of the following activities will likely occur on your wooded land in the next 5 years?
Select Yes or No for each item
Yes No
Cut
brush
Reduced or removed invasive plants
Planted trees or seedlings
Used herbicides
Used prescribed fire
Which of the following statements best describes your thoughts about [MANAGEMENT PRACTICE] for sale on your wooded land in the future? [NOTE: Management practice to be inserted could include cutting trees for sale, planting, herbicides, prescribed fire]
Select Yes or No for each item
Yes No
I am planning to [MANAGEMENT PRACTICE] in the next year
I am planning to [MANAGEMENT PRACTICE] more than a year from now
I am not planning to [MANAGEMENT PRACTICE] on my wooded land
I have not made a decision about [MANAGEMENT PRACTICE] on my wooded land
I have not considered [MANAGEMENT PRACTICE] on my wooded land
What is your level of agreement or disagreement with the following statements about [MANAGEMENT PRACTICE] on your wooded land?
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Strongly agree |
Agree |
Neither agree nor disagree |
Disagree |
Strongly disagree |
Not applicable |
[MANAGEMENT PRACTICE] can increase wildlife habitat on my wooded land |
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[MANAGEMENT PRACTICE] can increase the variety of plants and animals on my wooded land |
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[MANAGEMENT PRACTICE] can increase the future timber quality on my wooded land |
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[MANAGEMENT PRACTICE] can hurt my wooded land |
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[MANAGEMENT PRACTICE] can look ugly |
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[MANAGEMENT PRACTICE] can earn me money |
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[MANAGEMENT PRACTICE] is common in my area |
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[MANAGEMENT PRACTICE] requires a lot of my time |
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[MANAGEMENT PRACTICE] is expensive |
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It is difficult to find a logger |
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I don't have enough information to make a decision about [MANAGEMENT PRACTICE] |
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The pictures below show a range of cutting intensities. Which of these would you be willing to accept on your land, with the understanding that new trees will grow back after the cutting? [INSERT PHOTOS OF CUTTING INTENSITIES]
Select Yes or No for each item
Yes No
No
cutting
Cutting a few trees per acre
Cutting many trees per acre
Cutting many trees per acre, clustered together
Cutting most trees per acre
Cutting all trees per acre
These questions are about your thoughts about [TREE SPECIES]. How common are [TREE SPECIES] on your land?
No [TREE SPECIES]
Uncommon
Somewhat common
Very common
Extremely common
I don't know
Would you like more [TREE SPECIES] on your land?
Yes
Indifferent
No
Upland woods are any wooded area that is not by a river bottom or in a wetland. What is your level of agreement or disagreement with the following statements?
I think upland woods where [TREE SPECIES] are common:
|
Strongly agree |
Agree |
Neither agree nor disagree |
Disagree |
Strongly disagree |
I don’t know |
provide good scenery |
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produce profitable timber |
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provide good turkey, deer, and other game habitat |
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provide good habitat for non-game wildlife |
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provide good recreation opportunities |
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are vulnerable to insects and disease |
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are prone to wildfire |
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are at risk of declining |
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The following questions are about your familiarity with different types of trees. Please select the [TREE SPECIES] leaves by selecting them. Select all that apply. [Example leaves below]
Please select the [TREE SPECIES] leaf by clicking on it. [Example leaves below]
How familiar are you with the following services provided by state agencies to private owners of wooded land in <STATE>?
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Extremely familiar |
Moderately familiar |
Somewhat familiar |
Slightly familiar |
Not at all familiar |
Technical assistance |
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Management assistance |
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Information/advice |
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Cost-share programs |
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Other |
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Please specify: |
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a. An ecosystem service market is an organizational structure for buying and selling units of environmental benefits called credits. These benefits could include carbon, water quality, biodiversity, or wetlands. Examples include California Climate Registry, <REGIONAL EXAMPLES>. How familiar are you with ecosystem service markets in <STATE>?
Extremely Familiar
Moderately Familiar
Somewhat Familiar
Slightly Familiar
Not at all Familiar
Have you participated in an ecosystem service market in <STATE> in the past 5 years?
Yes
No
How likely are you to participate in an ecosystem services market in <STATE> in the next 5 years?
Extremely likely
Likely
Undecided
Unlikely
Extremely unlikely
Not applicable
[This
question will follow question 18 in the short form
questionnaire]
Please answer the following questions about your
familiarity with the <STATE EXAMPLE> program in your <STATE>.
What
is the minimum acreage requirement to enroll?
___ acres
Don’t know
What
is the minimum enrollment period?
___ years
Don’t know
Is there a withdrawal penalty?
Yes
No
Don’t know
Does it require owners to have a written management or stewardship plan?
Yes
No
Don’t know
Does it require timber management?
Yes
No
Don’t know
Does it require owners to open their land to the general public?
Yes
No
Don’t know
[This question will follow question 18 in the short form questionnaire]
If yes, please answer c and d.
If no, skip to question 19.
Would you use a private forester if the tax program no longer required it?
Yes
No
Don’t know
Would you have a forest management or stewardship plan if the tax program did not require it?
Yes
No
Don’t know
How familiar are you with the following state programs, opportunities, and resources for private owners of wooded land in <STATE>?
|
Extremely familiar |
Moderately familiar |
Somewhat familiar |
Slightly familiar |
Not at all familiar |
<STATE PROGRAM 1> |
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<STATE PROGRAM 2> |
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<STATE PROGRAM 3> |
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<STATE PROGRAM 4> |
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<STATE PROGRAM 5> |
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Other |
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Please specify: |
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How likely would you be to carry out the following activities on your wooded land in <STATE> if you received money from a publicly funded cost-share program?
|
Extremely likely |
Likely |
Undecided |
Unlikely |
Extremely unlikely |
Eliminate or reduce invasive plants |
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Repair woods roads or trails |
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Create/maintain wildlife habitat |
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Family legacy planning |
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Climate change adaptation |
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Reduce or eliminate unwanted insects or diseases |
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Develop a written management plan |
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Reduce wildfire risks |
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Other |
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Please specify: |
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Are you a member of a natural resource or landowner organization?
Yes
No
If no, skip to question X.
If yes, please list which organization(s) you a part of.
Each survey participant has been assigned a random scenario. Please read the hypothetical scenario below and answer the following question.
You have learned about a new program in your area to help landowners increase [animal] habitat on their land. A local wildlife and forestry organization will send a professional to visit your land and, if it is a good fit, will help plan and cut trees. The cutting will be focused on creating good habitat for [animal] through promoting the growth of [TREE SPECIES]. They will also conduct additional mechanical or herbicide treatments to promote new growth. The organization will provide financial support, so that there will be no net cost to you for participating. Would be you in participating in this hypothetical program?
Yes
No
How certain are you of your response to the question above?
Completely certain
Certain
Moderately certain
Somewhat certain
Not at all certain
How interested would you be in cooperating with the following organizations to manage your wooded land, if they were available?
|
Very interested |
Interested |
Moderately interested |
A little interested |
Not at all interested |
I don’t know |
Federal government conservation agency, like those within USDA |
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Government conservation organization |
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Non-governmental conservation organization |
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Local hunting and fishing group |
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Private, consulting forestry or wildlife professionals |
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Forest products companies |
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University or extension department |
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In general, how do you prefer to receive news and information?
Select Yes or No for each item
Yes No
Internet
Newspaper
Radio
Television
Other (please specify):___________________
Have you talked with anyone or received information/advice about the care, management, or protection of your wooded land in <STATE> in the past five years?
Yes
No
If yes, please answer a.
If no, skip to question XX.
How satisfied were you with the advice you received?
Extremely satisfied
Moderately satisfied
Somewhat satisfied
Not very satisfied
Not at all satisfied
Which, if any, of the following information/advice topics would be helpful to you?
Select Yes or No for each item
Yes No
Caring
for property
Family legacy planning
Developing a written forest management plan
Timber markets
Markets for nontimber forest products, such as <REGIONAL EXAMPLES>
Markets for ecosystem service, such as <REGIONAL EXAMPLES>
Climate change impacts on wooded land
Planting seedlings
Shelterbelt management
How concerned are you about the following items?
|
Great concern |
Concern |
Moderate concern |
Of little concern |
No concern |
Not Applicable |
Damage from [ANIMAL] |
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General health of your wooded land |
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In 50 years, do you expect your land will be wooded?
Yes
No
I don’t know
In 50 years, do you expect your land will still be one continuous property?
Yes
No
I don’t know
In 50 years, do you expect yourself or people in your family to still own your land?
Yes
No
I don’t know
[To be added as additional options under short-form question 27 - Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements.]
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Strongly agree |
Agree |
Neither agree nor disagree |
Disagree |
Strongly disagree |
I believe my wooded land benefits/improves the environment. |
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How likely is it that you will ever transfer or give away any of your wooded in <STATE> to your children or another family member?
Extremely likely
Likely
Undecided
Unlikely
Extremely unlikely
Not applicable
If likely or extremely likely, answer a.
If undecided, unlikely, or extremely unlikely, skip to question XX.
Which, if any, of the following will you use to transfer or give away your wooded land?
Select Yes or No for each item
Yes No
Limited
liability company
Trust
Will
Other (please specify):___________
How much, if at all, would you describe yourself in the following ways?
|
Extremely |
Very |
Moderately |
Slightly |
Not at all |
Conservationist |
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Hunter |
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Birder |
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Wildlife viewer |
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On average, how long does it take you to travel to your wooded land in <STATE>?
____Minutes
How frequently do you visit your wooded land?
20+ times per year
10-20 times per year
5-10 times per year
<5 times per year
How frequently do you make management decisions about your land?:
One or more times per week
one or more times per month
one or more times per year
once every few years.
How often do you think about your land?
One or more times per week
one or more times per month
one or more times per year
once every few years
Do you belong to a landowner association or other landowner group?
Yes
No
I don’t know
I am confident that I know the effects of my management decisions on my woodland:
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
I am confident that I have the right information and am making the right decisions about my woodland
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
I am confident that I understand the likely future of my woodland
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
How often do you visit or use woodland other than your own – in other words, National Forests or Parks, State-owned land, or woods owned by other private individuals or companies?
Often
Occasionally or rarely
Never
Please rate the importance of the following values as a life-guiding principle for you. Use the 7-point scale in which 1 indicates that the value is opposed to your principles, 2 indicates that the value is not important for you, 5 indicates that the values is important, and 7 indicates that the value is of supreme importance for you.
|
Opposed to your principles |
Value is not important |
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Value is important |
|
Value is of supreme importance for you |
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
Power, that is social power, authority, wealth
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Achievement, that is success, capability, ambition, influence on people and events
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Hedonism, that is gratification of desires, enjoyment in life, self-indulgence
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Stimulation, that is daring, a varied and challenging life, an exciting life
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Self-Direction, that is creativity, freedom, curiosity, independence, choosing one’s own goals
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Universalism, that is broad-mindedness, beauty of nature and arts, social justice, a world at peace, equality, wisdom, unity with nature, environmental protection
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Benevolence, that is helpfulness, honesty, forgiveness, loyalty, responsibility
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Tradition, that is respect for tradition, humbleness, accepting one’s portion in life, devotion, modesty
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Conformity, that is obedience, honoring parents and elders, self-discipline, politeness
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Security, that is national security, family security, social order, cleanliness, reciprocation of favors.
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How much would you say you know about the Massachusetts’ Chapter 61 current use programs (61, 61A and 61B)? Circle a number from the scale below:
Not heard of |
Nothing at all |
Some |
Quite a lot |
A great deal |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Please indicate whether the following statements are true or false by circling T or F. If you do not know, circle
Don’t know:
A. Chapter 61 programs permanently limit development on my land. |
T |
F |
Don’t know |
B. My town has the right of first refusal on Chapter 61 land that is being developed for houses. |
T |
F |
Don’t know |
C. Chapter 61B prohibits commercial harvesting of trees on my land. |
T |
F |
Don’t know |
D. Chapter 61 programs reduce my property taxes. |
T |
F |
Don’t know |
Have you or someone you know had experience with any Chapter 61 program? Circle Yes or No in the boxes below. If you do not know, circle Don’t know:
A. I have considered enrolling in a Chapter 61 program. |
Yes |
No |
Don’t know |
B. I am or have been enrolled in a Chapter 61 program. |
Yes |
No |
Don’t know |
C. Someone I know has considered enrolling in a Chapter 61 program. |
Yes |
No |
Don’t know |
D. Someone I know is or has been enrolled in a Chapter 61 program. |
Yes |
No |
Don’t know |
Do you know a State Service Forester? Check Yes or No and provide any additional information that you can:
Yes: Specify their name(s):
No: How would you find out about one:
SECTION 2: Conservation Restrictions
How much would you say you know about Conservation Restrictions? Circle a number from the scale below:
Not heard of |
Nothing at all |
Some |
Quite a lot |
A great deal |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Please indicate whether the following statements are true or false by circling T or F. If you do not know, circle
Don’t know:
A. Conservation Restrictions permanently limit development on my land. |
T |
F |
Don’t know |
B. Conservation Restrictions must apply to my entire property. |
T |
F |
Don’t know |
C. Conservation Restrictions require public access to my land. |
T |
F |
Don’t know |
D. Land trusts hold Conservation Restrictions on private land. |
T |
F |
Don’t know |
Have you or someone you know had experience with Conservation Restrictions? Circle Yes or No in the boxes below. If you do not know, circle Don’t know:
A. I have considered a Conservation Restriction for my land. |
Yes |
No |
Don’t know |
B. I have a Conservation Restriction on my land. |
Yes |
No |
Don’t know |
C. Someone I know has considered a Conservation Restriction for their land. |
Yes |
No |
Don’t know |
D. Someone I know has a Conservation Restriction on their land. |
Yes |
No |
Don’t know |
Do you know a local land trust? Check Yes or No and provide any additional information that you can:
Yes: Specify their name(s):
No: How would you find out about one:
SECTION 3: Timber Harvesting
How much would you say you know about the process of selling timber? Circle a number from the scale below:
Not heard of |
Nothing at all |
Some |
Quite a lot |
A great deal |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Please indicate whether the following statements are true or false by circling T or F. If you do not know, circle Don’t know:
A. A forester cuts trees and brings them out of the woods. |
T |
F |
Don’t know |
B. It’s my legal responsibility that timber harvests on my land meet all environmental regulations. |
T |
F |
Don’t know |
C. Loggers are required to have a license on commercial timber harvests. |
T |
F |
Don’t know |
D. A State Service Forester will give me free advice about my land. |
T |
F |
Don’t know |
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|
Have you or someone you know had experience with selling timber? Circle Yes or No in the boxes below. If you do not know, circle Don’t know:
A. I have considered selling timber from my land. |
Yes |
No |
Don’t know |
B. I have sold timber from my land. |
Yes |
No |
Don’t know |
C. Someone I know has considered selling timber from their land. |
Yes |
No |
Don’t know |
D. Someone I know has sold timber from their land. |
Yes |
No |
Don’t know |
Do you know a private forester? Check Yes or No and provide any additional information that you can:
Yes. Specify their name(s):
No. How would you find out about one:
SECTION 4: Estate Planning
How much would you say you know about the process of developing an estate plan to decide the future of your land after your death? Circle a number from the scale below:
Not heard of |
Nothing at all |
Some |
Quite a lot |
A great deal |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Please indicate whether the following statements are true or false by circling T or F. If you do not know, circle Don’t know:
A. An estate plan is a single document. |
T |
F |
Don’t know |
B. Estate planning can help either avoid or reduce the taxes for which an estate may be responsible. |
T |
F |
Don’t know |
C. Only wealthy land owners benefit from estate planning. |
T |
F |
Don’t know |
D. All estate planning professionals are knowledgeable about land conservation. |
T |
F |
Don’t know |
Have you or someone you know had experience with estate planning? Circle Yes or No in the boxes below. If you do not know, circle Don’t know:
A. I have considered developing an estate plan to decide the future of my land after my death. |
Yes |
No |
Don’t know |
B. I have developed an estate plan to decide the future of my land after my death. |
Yes |
No |
Don’t know |
C. Someone I know has considered developing an estate plan to decide the future of their land after
Yes No Don’t know
their death.
D. Someone I know has developed an estate plan to decide the future of their land after their death. Yes No Don’t know
Do you know an estate planning professional who is familiar with land conservation? Check Yes or No and provide any additional information that you can:
Yes: Specify their name(s) and profession(s):
No: How would you find out about one:
SECTION 5: Background Information
How many acres of woodland do you own in Massachusetts?
In what year did you personally get/buy/inherit your woodland in Massachusetts?
How far do you live from your Massachusetts woodland? Please circle an option below:
A. I live on it. B. Less than 10 miles away. C. 10-100 miles away. D. More than 100 miles away.
What is the main reason that you own woodland in Massachusetts?
File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
Author | Sarah Butler |
File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
File Created | 2024-08-05 |