Legacy

Brenda Woodard, a retired U.S. Forest Service forester and a landowner in Douglas County, is the daughter of a former Lane County Extension Forester, Steve Woodard, who was the Oregon Tree Farmer of the Year in 2004. He lives on the tree farm that has been in his family since his grandfather purchased it in 1948. “His vision and passion are what inspired my husband and me to become forest  land owners,” she said.

Lon and Laura Rankin own several small and moderate size parcels of woodland in Oregon’s mid-Willamette valley. They’d taken care of the legal side of succession planning long ago.  “I learned about the importance of planning from my father and uncle. They both had trusts and the transfer to the next generation went so smoothly,” said Lon. So as soon as it made sense, they set up a trust too. They had been proactive and were content they were on top of the issue.

For a majority of woodland owners leaving a land legacy for the next generation is an important ownership objective. Less than half of those who feel that way will successfully create such a legacy. This is sad because most of them could.

There are many reasons to keep a journal about your woodland property. One important reason is to create a history to share with family members. This history will help them understand your goals and allow them to appreciate the beauty of the place. Make sure to include plenty of photographs of the property and your family enjoying it.

Guidelines and assistance to private forest owners and their professional advisors on the application of estate planning techniques to forest properties.

With the holidays approaching, it's a great time to share your story of the woods with those you hope will care for it after you.

Who will care for your land in 20, 30 or 40 years? Priority should be given to communication between you as an owner of the property and the heirs or person who will receive the property.

There are many organizational resources for forest landowners in the Inland Pacific Northwest, and I'd like to bring three to your attention here: Idaho Forest Owners Association; Inland Northwest Land Trust; and University of Idaho Extension.

On a chilly morning in January, I interviewed Fran Wunderlich, a Pennsylvania landowner whom I met in October at the Pennsylvania Women and Their Woods retreat. Fran and I enjoyed a long conversation about tax breaks, Marcellus shale, and the advice she has for fellow women woodland owners.

On a colorful fall weekend in October 2011, twenty-one women landowners headed out to Camp Susque in Trout Run, PA for the inaugural Women and Their Woods Educational Retreat.