Michigan Forest Association
Michigan Forest Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1972 that provides education, advocacy, and community programs for Michigan's private forest landowners, professional foresters, and educators, supported by membership dues, donations, events, and federal grant administration.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1972
- HeadquartersOkemos, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Michigan Forest Association does
Michigan Forest Association (MFA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1972 and headquartered in Okemos, Michigan, that serves as the state's primary membership-based association for private forest landowners, professional foresters, and educators. Its stated mission is to inspire and empower people to sustainably manage, conserve, and enjoy forests through education, advocacy, and fellowship. MFA delivers value through a portfolio of educational programs and services rather than technology products, including a quarterly Michigan Forests magazine (in publication since 1980), a monthly LEAVES e-newsletter, the Neighbor Network tree-planting initiative operated through conservation district hubs, the WOAW Weekend women landowners event, an annual celebration at Treetops Resort, K-12 teacher workshops, and management of six demonstration forest properties across the state.
The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and led by Executive Director Nicole F. Doyle, supported by a lean staff of 1-10 employees including a Project Manager (Vic Lane), Outreach Forester (Ellie Johnson, hired September 2025), and Grant Accountant (Melissa Franquist). MFA generates revenue through annual membership dues, tax-deductible donations processed via the Kindful platform, advertising in its quarterly magazine, event registration fees ($100-$200 per attendee across WOAW and Annual Celebration), and administration of the Forest and Water Fund—a partnership with the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts and US Forest Service that controls $6.4 million in federal cost-share funding for private landowner forest management projects.
MFA's go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, anchored by longstanding partnerships with the National Woodland Owners Association (its national affiliate representing 11 million family woodland owners), Michigan State University Department of Forestry, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, US Forest Service, and a growing network of county conservation districts that serve as Neighbor Network hubs. Key recent developments include the 2025 expansion of staff capacity, the 2026 rollout of two new Neighbor Network hubs in Marquette and Presque Isle counties, and the assumption of administrative responsibility for federal pass-through funding—signaling gradual programmatic growth within the structural constraints of a small membership nonprofit.
Michigan Forest Association firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Michigan Forest Association
- Legal name
- Michigan Forest Association
- Website
- https://michiganforests.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1972
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Michigan Forest Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1972 that provides education, advocacy, and community programs for Michigan's private forest landowners, professional foresters, and educators, supported by membership dues, donations, events, and federal grant administration.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Michigan Forest Association industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Forestry Education and Conservation Services
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Support Activities for Forestry (11531)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Forestry (800)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Timberland Asset Management & Consulting (AFAMAAAI), Tree Protection & Browsing Control (Guards, Fencing, Repellents) (AFAMACAH)
Keywords
Where Michigan Forest Association is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Okemos
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Michigan Forest Association business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Annual membership dues providing access to quarterly Michigan Forests magazine, monthly LEAVES e-newsletter, educational programs, field days, and member community. 7% discount at Forestry Suppliers included.
- Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations under 501(c)(3) status. EIN 38-1981176. Various fundraising campaigns and event-based donations.
- Forest and Water Fund Administration: Partnership with MACD and USFS to administer $6.4 million available for forest management projects. Individual landowners can apply for up to $25,000 in direct cash reimbursement.
- Publication Advertising: Advertising rates available for Michigan Forests quarterly magazine. Contact Grant Accountant for advertising rates.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Individual/Family Membership |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Teacher Workshop |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | WOAW Weekend Event |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Annual Celebration |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels10 records
Michigan Forest Association product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Michigan Forest Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization that provides education, resources, and advocacy for private forest owners and woodland enthusiasts in Michigan. Its core offerings include a quarterly magazine, monthly newsletter, demonstration forests, the Neighbor Network tree-planting initiative, and the Forest and Water Fund grant program, alongside annual events such as the Annual Celebration and WOAW Weekend. The organization also runs targeted teacher workshops on sustainable forest management in partnership with Michigan State University and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Product overview
Michigan Forest Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves as a membership-based association for forest owners, foresters, and those interested in Michigan's forests. The organization offers a portfolio of educational products and services including Michigan Forests Magazine (quarterly publication), LEAVES monthly e-newsletter, educational videos, and various programs such as the Neighbor Network tree planting initiative, Forest and Water Fund grant program, WOAW Weekend, and Annual Celebration events. MFA also manages demonstration forests across Michigan for educational outreach and hosts the annual celebration featuring panel discussions and field tours.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Michigan Forest Association Membership Annual Individual/Family membership providing access to the quarterly Michigan Forests magazine, monthly LEAVES e-newsletter, educational programs, field days, and a 7% discount at Forestry Suppliers. Designed for private forest owners and woodland enthusiasts in Michigan.
- Michigan Forests Magazine Quarterly periodical featuring forest management insights, landowner stories, research updates, and association news for Michigan Forest Association members.
- LEAVES Newsletter Monthly e-newsletter sent to current and prospective members through email, covering news and updates about forest management.
- Neighbor Network Tree planting initiative partnering with conservation districts across Michigan to connect private landowners, educate communities on tree planting practices, and provide tools, funding, and resources for tree planting projects.
- Forest and Water Fund Partnership between MFA and Michigan Association of Conservation Districts supported by the US Forest Service, offering up to $25,000 in direct cash reimbursement for forest management practices on private lands.
- WOAW Weekend Annual Women Owning and Appreciating Woodlands Weekend event designed to discuss forest management recommendations, ecological properties of Michigan ecosystems, and what it means to be a good forest steward, with sessions hosted by natural resource professionals.
- Annual Celebration MFA's largest annual event featuring panel discussions, concurrent sessions, field tours, awards ceremony, and member meetings celebrating Michigan's forest heritage.
- MFA Demonstration Forests Properties managed by MFA as demonstration forests for educational purposes, including parcels in Clare County, Emmet County (Valley Road and Robinson Road), Gogebic County, Iron County, Isabella County, and the Argow Property (Whitetail Run).
- Sustainable Forest Management Teacher Workshops Workshops for K-12 teachers ($100 per teacher) on forest ecology, tree identification, forest management systems, and Michigan forest history, including field trips to timber sales and forest product mills.
- Green Gold: Michigan Forest History Educational publication geared toward childhood education for elementary school age children about Michigan's forest history.
- Michigan's Famous and Historic Trees A publication documenting Michigan's famous and historic trees.
- MFA Educational Videos A virtual collection of educational and enjoyable videos geared towards private forest owners and managers, with some content for younger audiences. Includes content on forest history, ownership, and management.
Quantifiable outcome
- 3,275 native tree and shrub seedlings planted through Neighbor Network
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Michigan Forest Association
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Michigan Forest Association technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Michigan Forest Association partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.
- Marquette County Conservation DistrictminorNewly established Neighbor Network hub as of 2026. Currently has 8 passionate Neighbors ready to assist in planting trees.
- Presque Isle Conservation DistrictminorNewly established Neighbor Network hub as of 2026. Currently has 8 Neighbors ready to assist. Planted 200 seedlings at Herman Vogler Conservation Area in 2026.
- Fred Prince / Forests for the FuturecoreFred Prince invested in over 12,000 acres of Michigan property for reforestation. After his death in 2011, six properties were deeded to MFA for educational demonstration and sustainable management.
- National Woodland Owners Association (NWOA)flagshipMFA's national partner, headquartered in Washington DC with 42 affiliated state landowner associations. Represents 11 million family woodland owners who own and manage half of all forested landscapes in America. NWOA founder Keith Argow donated property to MFA.
- Walnut Council (Michigan Chapter)coreScience-based organization encouraging research, discussion, and application of knowledge about growing hardwood trees. Represents nearly 800 woodland owners, foresters, forest scientists, and wood-producing industry representatives.
- Michigan Association of Conservation Districts (MACD)coreMFA and MACD are proud partners in the Forest and Water Fund, supported by the United States Forest Service with $6.4 million available for forest management projects on private lands.
- Benzie Conservation DistrictcoreNeighbor Network hub where the initiative began. Now has over 90 members who have helped complete seven tree plantings resulting in 3,275 native tree and shrub seedlings planted.
- Keith ArgowcoreFounder and President Emeritus of National Woodland Owners Association passed one of his 40-acre parcels to MFA as a demonstration forest between Cadillac and Manistee along M37.
- Michigan State UniversitycoreMSU Department of Forestry partnership for teacher workshops. MSU Extension foresters (Bill Cook, Georgia Peterson) serve as main instructors for MFA programs. Dr. Emily Silver is Associate Chairperson at MSU Department of Forestry.
- Michigan Department of Natural ResourcescorePartnership for Forest Stewardship Program, sustainable forest management initiatives, and access to DNR Ralph A. MacMullen Conference Center for teacher workshops.
- Michigan Audubon SocietyminorNear MFA's office location, enabling collaboration on bird habitat and forest ecosystem education programs.
- Michigan Nature AssociationminorNear MFA's office location, enabling collaboration on conservation and native species education.
- MSU ExtensioncoreCo-sponsored Forest Therapy outreach activities. Partnership for educational programming and extension services.
- U.S. Forest ServiceflagshipSupport for MFA teacher workshops and Forest and Water Fund partnership ($6.4 million program). Forest Stewardship Program co-sponsor with Michigan DNR.
- Industrial Arts InstituteminorCollaboration for dibble bar tools used in Neighbor Network tree plantings. Two IAI students attended spring tree planting workshop.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Michigan Forest Association competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- American Forest Foundation: National nonprofit focused on family forest stewardship through the Tree Farm program and conservation incentive funding. Comparable in mission (private landowner support, education, advocacy) but operates nationally with broader programmatic scale than MFA.
- Arbor Day Foundation: National nonprofit promoting tree planting and forest stewardship through membership, education, and partnerships. Comparable in membership-based nonprofit model and education-driven mission, though broader in scope (tree planting rather than active forest management).
- National Woodland Owners Association: National umbrella organization for family woodland owners, representing 11M owners across 42 state affiliates including MFA. Operates at federal advocacy and national policy scale; MFA is one of its affiliated state associations, making NWOA both a partner and the natural national-level peer.
Direct peers
- Michigan Association of Conservation Districts: Statewide association of Michigan's conservation districts and MFA's closest operational partner. Shares private landowner service mission in Michigan, co-administers the Forest and Water Fund, and operates the Neighbor Network hub channel — comparable in geographic scope and stakeholder overlap.
- Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association: State-level forest landowner association serving Wisconsin, structurally identical to MFA with education, advocacy, and member services for private woodland owners. One of 42 NWOA state affiliates operating the same playbook in a neighboring Great Lakes state.
- Minnesota Forestry Association: State-level nonprofit supporting private forest landowners in Minnesota with educational programming, advocacy, and publications. Directly comparable in scale, geography (Great Lakes forestry), and member-services model to MFA.
- Pennsylvania Forestry Association: State-level nonprofit advocating for private forest landowners in Pennsylvania through education, publications, and policy engagement. Operates the same membership-nonprofit model for private woodland stewardship as MFA.
Emerging players
- Forest Guild: National organization of professional foresters and allied practitioners providing technical guidance on ecological forestry. Comparable in forestry advocacy and education mission, but focused on professionals rather than private landowners — adjacent rather than direct overlap with MFA's landowner base.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Michigan Forest Association social profiles
Digital presenceMichigan Forest Association financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Michigan Forest Association leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Michigan Forest Association funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Michigan Forest Association M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Michigan Forest Association
What does Michigan Forest Association do?
Michigan Forest Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization that provides education, resources, and advocacy for private forest owners and woodland enthusiasts in Michigan. Its core offerings include a quarterly magazine, monthly newsletter, demonstration forests, the Neighbor Network tree-planting initiative, and the Forest and Water Fund grant program, alongside annual events such as the Annual Celebration and WOAW Weekend. The organization also runs targeted teacher workshops on sustainable forest management in partnership with Michigan State University and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Is Michigan Forest Association a public or private company?
Michigan Forest Association is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Michigan Forest Association founded?
Michigan Forest Association was founded in 1972. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Michigan Forest Association based?
Michigan Forest Association is headquartered in Okemos, United States, in the North America region.
How does Michigan Forest Association make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are donations and Fundraising, forest and Water Fund Administration and publication Advertising.
Who are Michigan Forest Association's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are American Forest Foundation, Arbor Day Foundation and National Woodland Owners Association. Direct peers are Michigan Association of Conservation Districts, Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association, Minnesota Forestry Association and Pennsylvania Forestry Association. Forest Guild is listed as an emerging player.
Does Michigan Forest Association have an API?
No public API is recorded for Michigan Forest Association.
What industry is Michigan Forest Association in?
Michigan Forest Association's product category is Forestry Education and Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAD, Forestry & Reforestation, with a secondary code of AFAMAAAI, Timberland Asset Management & Consulting. Its NAICS code is 1153 and its SIC code is 8600.