Nonwildlife Associated Opportunities

There are almost an unlimited number of opportunities to produce nontraditional products and services through improved management and use of renewable natural resources. A few of these possibilities include: campgrounds, lodges or cabins, horseback riding, pine straw (after 10 years), firewood, stagecoach or buggy rides, Christmas trees, and risk-associated activities such as caving, rock climbing, and rafting on nearby lands.

Participation in many of these activities requires the landowner to:

1. clearly define objectives for his/her forestland,
2. develop the idea for recreational enterprises,
3. study the market for such an enterprise, and
4. determine if the enterprise is compatible with existing land management practices.

This brief overview covers the basics of what is involved with recreational opportunities on CRP forestland. The market potential and the resource requirements vary considerably among enterprises, so start with a ``good idea'' then follow through with a written management plan to better assure you are able to develop it into a successful enterprise.