Stewardship Contracting includes natural resource management practices that promote a close working relationship with local communities in a broad range of activities that improve land conditions. Stewardship contracting allows federal agencies to contribute to the development of sustainable rural communities, restore and maintain healthy forest ecosystems, and provide a continuing source of local income and employment. Among other things, the new stewardship contracting authority allows forest products to be exchanged for ecological restoration services, which may include thinning and removing brush.

Definition from Forest Service and BLM Sources.