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1
FOREST STEWARDSHIP
Pennsylvania Forest Stewardship Program
Forest Stewardship is about tending our forests for the future
What We’ll Discuss
• Importance of Forests
• Need for Forest Stewardship
• PA Forest Stewardship Program
4
THE IMPORTANCE OF FORESTS
A forest is not just a group of trees.
Forests are complex, biological systems. In healthy forests, diverse plant and animal communities interact in a web of life.
Forests support a wide array of life, including birds such as the Ruffed Grouse….
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…plants, like this trillium,…
Photo Courtesy of Dr. Margaret Brittingham, Professor of Wildlife Resources, Penn State School of Forest Resources
…and many other forms of life, such as this white-footed mouse
Dynamic Natural Forces
Dead trees open up spaces for new trees to grow.
An ice storm may damage and kill trees, but fallen branchesprovide tender twigs and buds on the forest floor which can help animals survive the winter.
Deadwood can protect and enrich our soils.Decaying organic matter adds nutrients to forest soils.Cavities and shelter provide wildlife habitat The forest floor becomes a seed bed for some plants
The forest helps protect water quality and support high-quality streams.Forests store and slowly release water to streams , helping prevent floods.Shade offers temperature control – keeps waters cool and oxygen levels high to support animals such as trout, that depend on cold waters.
Forests sequester CO2. CO2 is a greenhouse gas. High levels of it contribute to global warning.
Forests improve Air Quality
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Provides shadeOffers windbreaks
Forests help Regulate the Climate
Local climate affects the regional, which in turn affects the global climate.
Forests provide us with many recreational opportunities:
Camping…
…opportunities to observe wildlife…
….and provide a quiet haven – a respite from our fast-paced lives.
Forests also supply us with the many wood products we use every day:
Wood for construction
Paper and paper products
Timber and forest products is the fourth largest manufacturing industry in PA.
These industries contribute $27.7 billion/year to the state’s economy, employing over 91,000 people
Forests Support Jobs
Tourism is Pennsylvania's second-largest industry. In 2012, it supported 298,193 jobs, or 4.1% of the state’s total employment , and it contributed $14.7 billion of the state’s 2012 Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Outdoor recreation, supported by healthy forests, is a major part of Pennsylvania’s economy.
Forests also are the source of specialty products (like maple syrup and ginseng)
Benefits from the forest depend on our use and care of the forest.
23
THE NEED FOR FOREST
STEWARDSHIP
What exactly is Forest Stewardship?Forest stewardship means using our forest resources in such a way that we can meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Robert McCabe. Courtesy of the Aldo Leopold Foundation Archives
Forest Stewardship is part of the land ethic – an idea popularized by Aldo Leopold in “Sand County Almanac.”
Land management has an ethical component. We are caretakers, or stewards, of the land.
Forest Stewardship implies giving back at least as much as we take.
Pictures of Chestnut orchard, courtesy of Carl Martin, PAFS
A brief history of our Pennsylvania forests will help illustrate why forest stewardship is so important today.
Some History
Mature forests were heavily and repeatedly cut
To give you a sense of the scale of this activity, look at this picture from Williamsport in 1898.
Logs were floated down river on the Susquehanna, sometimes completely covering the river.
After the timber was removed, many of the lands were abandoned
Intentional and unintentional fires burned large areas
PA, 1918
During the early part of the twentieth century fire prevention and conservation efforts helped stop abusive practices.
Today’s forests have grown up almost entirely from abandoned farm fields and cut-over areas.
Now there are new pressures on the forest for material, environmental and aesthetic resources. We need to manage forests, in accordance with sound biological principles:• To ensure perpetual health• To maximize productivity to meet
society’s demands
71%
12%
9%3% 5%
Private Forest LandownersState ForestState Game LandsAllegheny National ForestOther
Who Owns the Forest?
In PA much of the harvesting pressure is on private forest landowners.
Most industrial and government lands have management plans.
About 10% of private forest landowners (PFLs) in PA had written forest management plans in a 2005 study.
Only about 25% of PFLs sought forestry advice from a consulting forester; 9% from an industry forester; and 12% from a Bureau of Forestry forester.
Picture courtesy of Carl Martin, PAFS.
This tiny fraction of private forest landowners who seek professional help in managing their woodlands have a knowledge of and understand: • Forest ecology• The role of forester• Availability of assistance
(much of it is free or low-cost)
So to Summarize:We Need Forest Stewardship because
• Private forest landowners have 12 million acres (over 70% of PA forests)
• Public and forest industry-owned forest land generally have management plans
• Private lands are not necessarily well-managed
Private Forest Landowners’ Issues
Many have:• No management plans at all• Not sure of their objectives• Don’t realize forest management can improve their
woodlots for wildlife, timber, recreation • Don’t realize the financial value of their woodlands• Don’t understand sustainable forest management
practices
Well-intentioned but ill-informed landowners sometimes make decisions driven by profit alone. Their lack of knowledge leads to misuse by not considering:• Function of the forest within the landscape• Consequences of current actions on the future forest• Site productivity protection
These decisions have environmental consequences on the forest’s future.
A forest after high-grade cutting
41
THE PENNSYLVANIA FOREST STEWARDSHIP
PROGRAM
Forest Stewardship Program
• Improve ecological health of private forestlands
• Provide education and technical assistance
• Encourage management plans • Voluntary
The Forest Stewardship Program (FSP), now in all 50 states, hopes to persuade more landowners to enlist the aid of professionals in managing their forests.
Forest Stewardship Program in PAIn Pennsylvania, the program is administered by the Bureau of Forestry and Penn State’s School of Forest Resources Extension
Funding comes from the US Forest Service to the State Bureau of Forestry and to Penn State
Forest Stewardship Program Provides
• Education and Awareness• Technical Assistance
Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry and the Penn State Forest Resources Extension cooperate to provide education and awareness about forest stewardship and the Forest Stewardship Program
Education and Awareness
• Publications • PowerPoint presentations • Website• Outreach and training• PA Forest Stewards volunteers• Support Woodland Owner Associations
• Publications • PowerPoint presentations • Website• Outreach and training• PA Forest Stewards Program• Support for Woodland Owner Associations
Education and Awareness
Forest Leaves Newsletter
Quarterly, free subscription by mail; monthly subscription online Over 15,000 Subscribers
Partners:• PA DNCR Bureau of Forestry• Pennsylvania Forestry Association (PFA)• Tree Farm
For free subscriptions visit the Forest Resources Extension website and search for ‘Forest Leaves’ or call the office at 1-800-235-9473
Forest Stewardship Bulletins
These discuss aspects of woodland management.Over a half-million free bulletins have been distributed
Titles Include:• Wildlife• Planning your Forest’s Future • Watershed Management
Pennsylvania Wildlife Series
Though not funded by the Forest Stewardship Program, these publications are useful resources for forest landowners.
Titles include:• Winter Bird Feeding: The Basics• Landscaping for Wildlife: Trees,
Shrubs, and Vines• Wildlife-Habitat Relationships
Forest Finance Series
Funded by the College of Agricultural Sciences, this is another useful resource for forest landowners.
Titles include:• Deer fencing • Record Keeping• Understanding Clean and Green
Tax Incentive Program
Invasive Species Fact Sheets
Ag Sciences also publishes a series on invasive plants and insects
Like weeds in farms and gardens, invasive species are undesirable or non-native plants and insects that are now in our forests.
They can invade natural areas and interfere with forest regeneration.
From the Woods Youth Series
Designed primarily for youth but suitable for all ages.
Titles include:• White-Tailed Deer• Watersheds• Harvesting Timber
Timber Market Report
The TMR gives landowners an idea of what the current timber market prices are.
These can be found at:http://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/forests/timber-market-report
Other PublicationsTitles include:• Timber Taxation• Best Management Practices for
PA Forests
• Publications • PowerPoint presentations • Website• Outreach and training• PA Forest Stewards Program• Support for Woodland Owner Associations
Education and Awareness
Forest Stewardship Presentations
• Biodiversity• Legacy Planning• Forest Marketing • Tree Identification
• Living with Wildlife• Water Quality • Forest Stewardship• Forestry for Wildlife
• Publications • PowerPoint presentations • Website• Outreach and training• PA Forest Stewards Program• Support for Woodland Owner Associations
Education and Awareness
http://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources• Wood Products• Forest Stewardship • Professional Development
Program• Water Resources• Wildlife & Fisheries Science• Youth• Urban and Community Forestry
County Economic DataAlso on the website: Forest resources economic data available for all PA counties.
This example from Clarion County shows:• Land Use: Forest 62%; • Forest Ownership: Private 83%; Forest
industry 9%, Pubic Land 8%• Number of forest landowners: 8,300• Number of forestry and wood products
establishments: 34 • Economic contribution: $ 79.5 million
Private Forest Landownershttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/forests/private
• Program Information• Forest Steward Profiles• Woodlands Associations• Links• News and Events• Webinars and Publications
• Publications • PowerPoint presentations • Website• Outreach and training• PA Forest Stewards Program• Support for Woodland Owner Associations
Education and Awareness
Outreach and Training
• Workshops and Programs• Includes landowner conferences and
workshops
• Service Foresters and Extension Foresters• Offer programs and outreach
Calendar of events in Forest Leaves Newsletter.
Points of Contact
• Bureau of Forestry Offices
• County Extension Offices
• Toll-Free Number: 1-800-235-9473
• Publications • PowerPoint presentations • Website• Outreach and training• PA Forest Stewards Program• Support for Woodland Owner Associations
Education and Awareness
PA Forest Stewards ProgramA corps of volunteers who have been trained to help Sustain Private Forestlands by working with landowners to:• Better manage their own forestlands• Motivate others to practice stewardship
Pennsylvania’s Program was adapted from successful woodland owner mentoring projects in other states.
What Roles Do PA Forest Stewards Play?
PAFSs communicate with landowners to help them understand their objectives, alternatives, and how to find appropriate assistance for implementing forest stewardship.
How Does the Program Work?
40 Hours Training = Time requested in Outreach
Training• Two weekends at residential camp
(Must attend both weekends)•No cost to participants, except their own travel•Offered once a year
Topics Covered include:• Tours and Demonstrations• Forest History• Water and Wildlife• Forest Ecology and Silviculture• Economic and Legal Issues
Examples of Outreach Activities
• Talking with neighbors• Supporting local/regional
woodland owner associations
• Working with children/schools
• Presentations to adults• Writing and providing
information to the media• Giving woodlot tours
To Become a PA Forest Steward…
1. You must be nominated by one of the following:• Service forester• Current PA Forest Steward• Cooperative Extension agent
2. You fill out an application3. If you are selected, you attend
the 40 hours of training
For more information, visit the website
• Publications • PowerPoint presentations • Website• Outreach and training• PA Forest Stewards Program• Support for Woodland Owner
Associations
Education and Awareness
Woodland Owners Associations
• Independent nonprofit organizations
• 20+ associations• Over 1200 members
Where “The rubber meets the road” for Sustainable Forestry among Private Forest Landowners
Who Belongs to Woodland Associations?
• Private Forest Landowners• Non-landowners• Foresters• Businesses• Natural resource professionals
Membership policies differ for each organizations.
Who Runs Woodlands Associations?
• Private• Independent• Non Profit• Self-supporting• Operated by members
Benefits of Being Involved in a Woodlands Association• Educational programs• Tours• Demonstrations• Newsletters• Meetings
Educational Programs
A few examples include:
• Tree and lumber grading• Reducing your tax liability• Forest surveying• Tree identification• Chainsaw safety• Forest pests
Stream reconstruction, WOSA
Tree measurements, North Central Forest Landowners Association
Demonstrations
• Horse logging•Maple syrup production• Controlling interfering
plants• Tree planting•Wildlife habitat
improvement• Pheasants• Ruffed grouse• etc….
Tours
• Chestnut plantation• Forestry demonstration woodlot• Sawmill• State timber sale • Private woodlots• etc…
Another Benefit for Members of Woodland Owners’ Associations….
Interaction with other Owners• Sharing Experiences/Lessons Learned
Interaction with Professionals• Developing a relationship with forestry
professionals
Forest Stewardship Program Provides
• Education and Awareness• Technical Assistance
Courtesy of Carl Martin, PAFS
The hallmark of the program is a Forest Stewardship Plan that helps landowners meet their objectives for the land.
USDA NRCS provides cost-share assistance to landowners to attain a CAP 106 plan – the current stewardship plan.
The plan, based on owner’s objectives, can be a combination of:
Pink lady slipper
Environmental
Recreational
Aesthetic
The plan recognizes the importance of the management of all resources.
Or income-producing
Natural Resource Professionals (NRPs) can help landowners:• Realize their objectives to the fullest
extent possible• Ensure future health of the land and
surrounding environment
Get Assistance
An NRP evaluates the forests’ resources and prepares a ten-year schedule of suggested activities or practices.
Forest Stewardship plans can include a wide variety of beneficial practices….
Promote the growth of new forests
Promote the growth of desirable tree species
Stimulate regeneration
Improve habitat for wildlife
All photos courtesy of Carl Martin, PAFS
Soil and water protection and improvementPlanting permanent vegetative cover
Design improvements such as :• forest roads• stream crossings• drainage systems• water diversion systems• stream fencing
Riparian and wetland protection and improvements to:• Reduce sedimentation• Reduce stream-bank degradation• Improve water quality• Improve forested wetland productivity
(wildlife, timber, water)
Fisheries habitat enhancements:• Habitat improvement or modification• Spawning areas• Woody debris• Food supplies
Wildlife habitat enhancements:• Cover• Forest openings• Corridors
Other wildlife support:• Nesting• Food and water
Establishing, protecting threatened or endangered species (both flora and fauna)
Golden-Winged Warbler
And forest recreation enhancements:• Paths, trails• Permanent vegetative cover
Forest stewards may have different objectives, but they all have several traits in common:• Embrace a “land ethic”—a sense of
wanting to do the right thing.• Recognize their need to understand how
a forest ecosystem works.• Willing to seek the assistance of
professionals• Understand that with rights come
responsibilities
Rights of private land ownership must be balanced with obligations to society, immediate and long-term (concern for future generations).
Responsibilities include…
…watershed protection…
…wildlife habitat (creation and maintenance)…
…an awareness of the neighboring environment and the role the land plays in the regional landscape…
Susquehanna River
…the need to keep the land healthy and productive…
…the importance of balancing short-term gain with long-term financial potential and other benefits…
..and an appreciation for the aesthetic value of the land.
Above all, forest stewards recognize that what they do with their forestland today will determine what kinds of forests will exist
for future generations.
Funding for development of the initial image set that served as a basis for this presentation was provided by: • NE Regional Center for Rural Development• Cooperative Extension at Penn State• University of Massachusetts• University of Connecticut
QUESTIONS??