Mission Statement
"It is our mission to efficiently supply professional forest management services that promote the stewardship of the public and private forests of the Southwest and the communities that depend on them for current and future generations".
About US
Stewardship Rooted in Service. Forests Built for Generations.
We see forests as living legacies. That’s why we partner with landowners who care not only about the land they manage today, but about the impact it will have generations from now. Our work centers on Non-Industrial Private Forest (NIPF) owners—those whose forests may be modest in acreage but rich in ecological, cultural, and personal value.
From custom forest management plans to thinning and fuels reduction, from reforestation to habitat restoration, Legacy Forest Management, LLC provides science-driven, practical solutions grounded in real-world field experience. We serve clients across Colorado and New Mexico, with extended services in Arizona, Utah, and Wyoming—bringing trusted expertise to the diverse forests of the American Southwest.
What We Believe
🌲 People are part of the landscape—when forests thrive, the communities rooted within them thrive too.
🔥 Fire is a natural process—a force that shapes both ecosystems and the people who live among them, and one we must learn to work with, not fear.
🛠️ Stewardship requires action—ideas only matter when they become real, measurable work on the land we share.
🧭 Service grounds us—as a veteran-owned business, we bring integrity, discipline, and purpose to caring for the landscapes we’re part of.
What We Deliver
Forest management & improvement plans — clear, site‑specific strategies that align landowner goals with ecological needs.
Fuels reduction & thinning — treatments that reduce wildfire risk and strengthen forested communities.
Timber inventory & marking — accurate data and professional marking to guide responsible harvest and stewardship.
Forest health & pest mitigation — integrated approaches to protect high‑value trees and support resilient stands.
Hazard tree assessments — objective evaluations to keep homes, roads, and shared spaces safe.
Stewardship consulting — practical guidance to help landowners understand their forest and make informed decisions.
Contractor coordination & oversight — hands‑on management ensuring safe, efficient, high‑quality field work.
Post‑fire recovery support — clear steps for assessing damage and guiding natural regeneration.
We Work for You
Healthy forests aren’t created through one‑size‑fits‑all programs or shifting funding priorities. They’re built through clear communication, accountable service, and a genuine commitment to the landowner’s goals above all else. At Legacy Forest Management, we take the time to understand your land, your objectives, and your long‑term vision, then deliver work that’s precise, transparent, and aligned with what matters most to you.
What Sets Legacy Forest Management Apart
At Legacy Forest Management, we believe healthy forests are built through clear communication, accountable service, and an unwavering commitment to the landowner’s goals—not through one‑size‑fits‑all programs or shifting funding priorities. We operate differently: our loyalty is to you, supported by a deep investment in ongoing professional development, rigorous credentialing, and adherence to the highest standards in the profession. And when a cost‑share or agency program genuinely aligns with your objectives, we’re ready to help you navigate it and ensure it serves your interests—not the other way around.
Get in Touch
Legacy Forest Management, LLC delivers professional, high‑quality forest and natural resource management services designed to help you achieve your stewardship objectives. Drawing on extensive experience across forestry, rangeland, and related disciplines, we build customized solutions for every client. Reach out today to schedule your appointment—we look forward to working with you.
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Our People
Tyrell “Ty” Mares | Founder & Principal Forester
Tyrell “Ty” Mares is the founder and driving force behind Legacy Forest Management, LLC, a veteran‑owned forestry company built on ecological stewardship, service, and restoration. Born and raised in the mountainous Gila region of southwestern New Mexico, Ty developed a deep connection to forests and natural landscapes early in life. His passion for land stewardship took hold through the FFA’s Forestry Career Development Event (CDE) in middle and high school—an experience that set the foundation for a lifelong commitment to forestry.
After graduating from Silver High School in 2007, Ty enlisted in the U.S. Army and served four years as an infantryman (11B), building the discipline and mission‑focused mindset that continue to guide his work today. After his service, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from Colorado State University in 2017 and went on to spend six years with the U.S. Forest Service in Regions 2 and 3, serving as a Presale Forester, Timber Sale Specialist, and Forester Trainee. These roles strengthened his technical expertise and gave him a broad understanding of forest policy, restoration, and timber operations across the Southwest.
In 2019, Ty founded Legacy Forest Management, LLC to provide hands‑on, science‑based forestry services for Non‑Industrial Private Forest (NIPF) landowners throughout Colorado, New Mexico, and the greater Southwest. He built Legacy to address the growing challenges facing private and public forests—from wildfire risk to overcrowded stands—and to help move forest management from planning to real work on the ground.
Ty’s commitment to professionalism is reflected in his full membership in the Association of Consulting Foresters (ACF), a credential reserved for consulting foresters who demonstrate technical competence, independence, and the highest ethical standards.
He is also an active member of the Society of American Foresters (SAF), the nation’s leading professional organization for forestry and natural resource management. Through SAF, Ty stays connected to current research, evolving best practices, and a community of practitioners dedicated to responsible, science‑based stewardship. His involvement in both ACF and SAF underscores a consistent dedication to ethical practice, technical excellence, and ensuring that every project is guided by the best available knowledge.
Ty remains engaged with the Colorado Timber Industry Association (CTIA) as well, staying informed about the operational realities and workforce challenges shaping the state’s logging and forest products sector. His participation focuses on understanding technical skill gaps, an aging workforce, and capacity limitations that directly influence forest management outcomes across Colorado. As an independent consulting forester, he engages with CTIA to maintain a clear, unbiased understanding of on‑the‑ground capabilities—ensuring that his recommendations to landowners are both realistic and aligned with responsible stewardship. This involvement reflects his broader commitment to professionalism: making informed decisions that support landowners while contributing to the long‑term strength of Colorado’s forestry workforce.
As the forestry sector continues to grapple with shrinking capacity, an aging workforce, and widening technical skill gaps—especially in logging and vegetation‑management operations—Ty recognizes the importance of professionals who remain engaged on multiple fronts. Staying effective in today’s landscape demands both strategic foresight and a grounded understanding of operational realities. These realities include the constant need to balance safety, efficiency, and limited field capacity while navigating complex terrain and diverse stakeholder expectations. This perspective ensures that the guidance he provides through Legacy Forest Management remains practical, defensible, and fully aligned with the conditions landowners and contractors face across the region.
Education
Colorado State University
B.S., Forestry, 2017
Major: Forestry (Forest Management Emphasis)
Minor: Rangeland Ecology
Activities & Affiliations
🌲 Association of Consulting Foresters — Full Member
🪓 Colorado Timber Industry Association (CTIA) — Secretary/ District 5 (San Luis Valley) Board Representative
🌿 Society of American Foresters — Full Member