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Forest Stewardship means setting and achieving goals for your land while maintaining the variety of options available for future generations. You have the ability to shape your forest to meet your goals. Some goals may be compatible on the same acre and others will need attention at different places or times on your property. For example, many types of recreation are compatible with other forest management activities. A properly established skid trail during a timber harvest provides a great trail for hiking, horseback riding or skiing. More importantly, the same skid trail gives you access where you might not otherwise have gone! Managing your forest to provide habitat for a variety of wildlife species enhances the opportunity to view or photograph animals. Some forms of recreation can even help you to achieve other goals. For instance, deer hunting can help keep populations in balance with their habitat, allowing wildflowers to flourish. Wildflowers in turn provide habitat for insects that are eaten by forest birds. As you see, forest stewardship emphasizes the variety and interaction of the many qualities of your property.