The Aitkin County Land Department is responsible for managing the natural resources on approximately 222,000 acres of tax forfeited lands. The county does this in a variety of ways. The county has a long tradition of being a sound steward of its resources providing timber and fiber for industry, offering recreational opportunities for residents and visitors, and sustaining the ecological integrity of the land and its forests. Aitkin County was among the first publicly managed forestlands to receive third party forest certification (Forest Stewardship Council) in 1997. The county has developed a strategic plan that defines initiatives it will take regarding the management of its tax forfeited land. Those initiatives include: enhance the quality, vigor and value of northern and lowland hardwoods; retain vigorous, productive, and balanced aspen resources; increase upland conifer forests; increase the amount of oak forest; retain its birch cover type; manage for the needs of wildlife by providing a range of habitats; focus recreational management by providing dispersed recreation and trails; and maintaining and enhancing the quality of water yielded from county land.