Non-Industrial Private Forest owners are a diverse group of Michigan's landowners. This study seeks to manage NIPF variation through the creation of groups which characterize landowner behavior and attitudes. This thesis is divided into two papers each examining a different method of grouping Michigan's NIPF landowners. Both papers utilize information from a 2003 survey of 1600 Michigan NIPF landowners.The first paper utilizes Michigan's four regions: the Southern Lower Peninsula (SLP), Northern Lower Peninsula (NLP), Eastern Upper Peninsula (EUP), and the Western Upper Peninsula (WUP), to place landowners into sub-categories based on location. Distinct differences are found across regions in regards to landowner demographics, parcel characteristics, reasons for owning forestland, and management behavior. These differences suggest the need to take into account the effects of variation of policy success and informational outreach programs.The second paper utilizes a market-segmentation approach to place landowners in segments based on their reasons for owning forestland. Three segments are developed: Game Wardens, Tenants, and Timber Barons. Each segment differs in relation to demographics, parcel characteristics, reasons for owning forestland, management activities, and preferences for policies or programs. These results suggest the ability to target specific landowner segments to achieve policy goals. Further, policy-makers and outreach extension specialists may wish to account for landowner differences when seeking to develop policies or programs with specific objectives or targets.
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