Land Certification

Introduction

QDMA unveiled its new Land Certification Program (LCP) at the 2011 National Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.  The long awaited companion to the Deer Steward courses - which are aimed at certifying individuals - the LCP is a multi-level, voluntary process which will evaluate and certify one or more properties against an established list of Quality Deer Management (QDM) Standards and Performance Measures.

The LCP was developed to recognize the accomplishments of landowners and sportsmen implementing the four cornerstones of Quality Deer Management (QDM) throughout North America, as well as those committed to ethics, conservation and biodiversity through land stewardship; and to encourage management practices on participating lands that will enhance deer and other wildlife species, habitat conditions, and hunting experiences by providing incentives, recommendations and/or assistance; and finally to inspire others to engage in sound wildlife management and conservation of our natural resources.

Click HERE to download the LCP Overview Brochure to learn more about this exciting new program!


Designations

There are three designations (levels) of the LCP:

  1. Pledged Lands - the apprentice level; this designation shows that the landowner has a commitment to practice QDM
  2. Certified Lands - the first certification level; this designation recognizes landowners that successfully practice all four cornerstones of QDM
  3. Legacy Lands - the highest certification level; this designation is only awarded to the model QDM property

 

QDMA Pledged Lands – Recognizes properties committed to QDM, the QDMA, wildlife laws and safety (Standards 1-4). This designation does not require a written management plan or a site visit by qualified property inspector, thus properties that achieve Pledged Lands status are not certified; self-application available. Applicants can bypass this level and apply directly for one of the certification levels if so desired.

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QDMA Certified Lands – Recognizes properties meeting the Pledged Lands requirements (Standards 1-4) as well as minimum qualifications for the four cornerstones of QDM (Standards 5-8). This designation requires a written, approved management plan and a site visit by a qualified property inspector.

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QDMA Legacy Lands– Recognizes properties that not only satisfy the requirements for Pledged and Certified Lands designation (Standards      1-8), but also meet minimum requirements for Standards 9-14. These properties exemplify the highest level of land protection, conservation, stewardship, and commitment to the preservation of our hunting heritage. This designation also requires a written, approved management plan and site visit by qualified property inspector.

 

LCP Signs

Once a property meets the requirements of a given designation category, the applicant property will receive a certificate and one (1) property sign. Pledged Lands signs measure 12 x 12 inches and Certified and Legacy Lands signs measure 18 x 18 inches. Additional Certified and Legacy Lands signs may be purchased at a cost of $15 per sign, plus S/H; with a limit of five (5) extra property signs per applicant.

LCP Documents

Free to download and learn what the LCP is all about!

LCP Overview Brochure (including landowner application cost structure)
LCP Standards and Performance Measures (what the LCP will use to evaluate your property)
Pledged Lands Application (can be filled out by the landowner)
Certified and Legacy Lands Application (must be filled out by a LCP inspector with the landowner)
Rating Sheet (only to be used by the LCP inspector during the inspection process)

How Do I Contact an LCP Inspector?

Click HERE to find a list of approved LCP Inspectors. This list is continually growing as we hold more training sessions, so please check back often!

Inspector Training Opportunities

To ensure that everyone has access to a qualified property inspector the QDMA will  host a series of half-day LCP inspector training sessions across the country. Each training session has been approved for 3.5 Cat 1-CF Continuing Forestry Education (CFEs) credits from the Society of American Foresters. The 2013 schedule is as follows:

  • Tuesday, June 18th 2013 at Hardin County Cooperative Extension Office; Elizabethtown, KY* -- 1 pm - 5 pm
  • Thursday, September 19th 2013 at Cloquet Forestry Education Center; Cloquet, MN* -- 1 pm - 5 pm

*Denotes co-sponsored training with the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), attendees can potentially become certified inspectors for both organizations in one day/location. One half day each (QDMA and ATFS); lunch provided for participants that attend both trainings. Special rates apply. Call 518-280-3714 for more info.  Click here to learn about ATFS inspector eligibility requirements.

Am I Eligible?

The QDMA will approve LCP inspectors through a rigid set of professional standards. If you are interested in becoming a LCP property inspector, you can sign up for one of these training sessions if you satisfy at least one of the following:

--Have an accredited college degree AND two years experience in forestry, wildlife, or another natural resource management field;

OR

--Have completed QDMA Deer Steward II (or higher) course AND three years of wildlife and habitat management field experience*

If you don’t meet either of the above guidelines but wish to become eligible to participate, you must submit a written request outlining your qualifications and experience. The QDMA will review each submission on a case-by-case basis to determine eligibility.

*Wildlife management experience refers to actively managing wildlife population(s) at either the property or landscape level. Habitat management experience refers to personally manipulating vegetation species and composition at the property or landscape level in accordance with wildlife management prescriptions.

Cost

The QDMA LCP training session is $50 for QDMA members and $80 for non-members (includes a 1-year QDMA membership).  Current ATFS inspectors can take QDMA training for $35. Cost includes instruction, materials and certificate. Travel, meals and lodging are not included. Lunch will be provided for attendees taking both trainings.

Registration

To register, please click HERE and download the registration form.  You can register by:

  • Faxing a completed registration form to: 706-353-0223
  • Mailing a completed registration form to: QDMA, P.O. Box 160, Bogart, GA  30622

Lodging

For your convenience, the QDMA has reserved local hotel rooms at a reduced price the evening before each training session. The contact information for each is as follows:

  • KY - Quality Inn & Suites, 2009 N. Mulberry St, Elizabethtown, KY 42701; (270) 765-4166; promo code: QDMA; room block expires May 10th, 2013
  • MN - AmericInn, 111 Big Lake Road, Cloquet, MN 55720; (218) 879-1231; promo code: QDMA; room block expires August 18th, 2013

FAQ about the LCP

Want to know more? Click HERE to download the Frequently Asked Questions informational handout about the LCP or click HERE to download a Part 1 article from Quality Whitetails magazine about the LCP from a landowner's perspective. Click HERE to dowload Part 2.

If you have any questions regarding the QDMA Land Certification Program please contact:

Matt Ross
QDMA Certification Programs Manager
Phone: 518-280-3714