For Certified Plan Writers

The information on this page is intended for professional foresters who are certified plan writers or interested in becoming certified plan writers. If you are looking for information on how to find a certified plan writer, please click here.

A certified plan writer (CPW) is a private consultant or industrial forester certified by the DNR to write Managed Forest Law (MFL) plans. Certification is granted to individual foresters, not the company or organization they work for. CPWs are the only private consulting or industrial foresters who can write management plans for the MFL program.

Becoming Certified

A forester can become a CPW by fulfilling the following three requirements:

1. Attend the three-day CPW basic training course.


2. Become a cooperating forester with the DNR.

To become a cooperating forester, you need to meet the educational requirements (four-year degree in forestry or equivalent).
3. Submit two MFL management plans for review within 120 days of the basic training course.

One plan is prepared during the course and the other plan is prepared after the course on an area of land the department assigns. You will have one opportunity to correct any errors found in the plans.

Maintaining Certification

To maintain certification, a CPW must:

1. Prepare at least one MFL plan every 2 years.
2. Attend an MFL update training session each year.
3. Maintain a cooperating forester status.
4. Submit cost data for MFL plans each year.
5. Comply with the guidelines and directives of the DNR and prepare MFL plans consistent with those guidelines and directives.

Resources for Current CPWs

Plan Writing

• Archeological and Historic Site Procedure
• Manual Code 8625.2 Mapping Terms and Symbols [PDF, 96KB]

• MFL Land Listing (Form 2450-131 Rev. 7-07)
• MFL Land Exam and Practices Report (Form 2450-128 Rev. 7-07)
• MFL Management Plan Checklist (Form 2450-189 Rev. 7-09)
• MFL Map (Form 2450-133 Rev. 7-07)

MFL Petition Deadline Flow Charts

• July 1 deadline - without plan
• July 1 deadline - with plan
• May 15 deadline

Frequently Asked Questions

• MFL Entry and Deadlines
• Natural Heritage Inventory

For handbooks, other reference materials, or cooperating forester information, see the cooperating forester web page.