NWOA NWOA
National Woodlands magazine celebrates 2024 with our new digital service to readers
and advertisers.
National Woodlands is the quarterly magazine published by National Woodland Owners Association (NWOA). NWOA was founded in 1983 as a nationwide organization of family and private woodland landowners. Since then, our circulation, readership and advertising opportunities have grown and evolved to meet the preferences of advertisers and readers.
New Digital Service Options
Over 5,000 readers already receive our full-color, 64 page, quarterly magazine mailed to their homes and businesses. Many already receive our free weekly e-newsletter, The Woodland Word. Starting with the first quarter issue of National Woodlands magazine, a full digital version will be available to members and partner organizations.
Diverse Audience
Readers subscribing to the magazine, in all its forms, are woodland owners, managers and researchers with ties to family farms, community forests and woodland conservation organizations. Our magazine’s demographics range from college students to retirees. They value healthy forests, thriving wildlife, outdoor recreation, fair markets for forest products, and opportunities for woodland investment.
Achieving our Educational Mission
National Woodlands contains articles written for and by woodland owners, forestry and natural resource professionals, and citizens from all 50 states who share a passion to see woodlands thrive. Each issue contains practical forest management advice, the latest on forest health concerns, news about woodland wildlife and the policies and regulations that impact forest management and the sustainability of woodlands.
To learn more about the opportunity to market your goods or services in National Woodlands magazine, contact Lisa Silber at 240-350-3412 or send email to lsilber@mercurypubs.com
Editor: Kelley Duffield McCarter, CF, editor@nationalwoodlands.com
Publications Committee: Rick Hamilton (chair), Michael Burns,Tammy Cushing, James Sitts, Amanda Murphy, communications director, and Mark Megalos, executive director.
Graphic Designer: Leslie G. Byrd
Editorial Office: 374 Maple Avenue East, Suite 310, Vienna, VA 22180-4718. Phone +1 703-255-2700 www.nationalwoodlands.org
Advertising Sales: Mercury Publishing Services, Inc., 3060 Route 97, Suite 275, Glenwood, MD 21738. Toll Free: 800-634-9409. mercurypubs.com/
Correspondence: Letters and editorials may be sent by email to editor@nationalwoodlands.com If deemed appropriate by the Editor for reprint, word limits apply. Correspondence with the executive director may be sent by email to info@nationalwoodlands.com or by US Mail to 374 Maple Avenue East, Suite 310, Vienna, VA 22180-4718. Our office hours are limited at this time, phone +1 703-255-2700.
Disclaimer: Statements of fact and opinion in the articles in National Woodlands magazine are those of the respective authors and contributors and not of National Woodlands, National Woodland Owners Association (NWOA), or Mercury Publishing. Neither the magazine, NWOA, nor the publisher make any representation, express or implied, in respect of the accuracy of the material in this magazine and cannot accept any legal responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions that may be made. Readers should make her or his own evaluation as to the appropriateness of the content.
Permission to Reprint: All rights reserved. Material in National Woodlands magazine has been obtained with permission of the author or publisher or are considered open domain from publicly available sources such as Federal and State governments. Individuals or organizations wishing to reprint materials within the magazine should first contact the original author to obtain rights. When reproducing pages from National Woodlands magazine, the footer section of each page must be maintained and an acknowledgment of National Woodland Owners Association should be added with website address, www.nationalwoodlands.org
Membership Subscriptions: Annual subscription to National Woodlands magazine is a benefit of membership in National Woodland Owners Association. Membership coordinator, Connie Blair (703) 255-2700. U.S. subscription: $40 for one year or $70 for two years, through membership in the NWOA; sustaining member rates are $50 per year, $90 for two years. For delivery to Canada, Europe, and most International addresses, add an additional $10 for postage. To learn more and become a member, visit the webpage at https:// nationalwoodlands.org/join-nwoa
Single Issues: Supplies of back issues are limited so please confirm with us the Volume and Number before sending money. When available they are for $5 per copy (includes postage in the USA). Single copies requested from outside the USA are $10 per copy (includes international postage).
National Woodlands (ISSN 0279-9812) is published quarterly by Mercury Publishing on behalf of National Woodland Owners Association [501(c)3], 374 Maple Avenue East, Suite 310, Vienna, VA 22180-4718. Printed in the USA. US Postal Service publication number 588910. Periodical postage rate.
Postmaster: Send address changes to National Woodland Owners Association, 374 Maple Avenue East, Suite 310, Vienna, VA 22180-4718. Phone: 703-255-2700.
Volume 47, Number 2
This Quarter and Next: Covering All The Bases
Kelley McCarter, SAF CF1263, National Woodlands Editor, nwoamag@gmail.com
I am a fan of baseball, in all its forms, and in all its flavors I have a theory that women who get to play a sport become devoted fans I find that baseball terms and cliches are fresh in my mind Here’s a preview of some of the highlights this quarter
Woodland Owner Profiles Around the Horn
This quarter I challenged my Board and Publications Committee to help me find interesting and perhaps offbeat stories of real woodland owners from all four corners of the USA These articles about real families meeting the challenges of sustaining woodlands, creating revenue and achieving a legacy, are so inspiring and entertaining All four are found in the front half of the magazine
Revving Up NWOA Communications
If you have not heard from Amanda Murphy yet, you probably will before too long When you read about her in Mark Megalos’s “From the Desk” column on the next page, you’ll understand why we are so excited to have her on our team at NWOA
Landowner Assistance Programs
Many funding organizations and natural resources researchers continue to report that financial aid, assistance packages, and incentive programs are under utilized The general consensus is that woodland owners just don’t know they exist or how to access them That’s why National Woodlands magazine carries two to three articles every year about landowner assistance and educational programming This quarter, we’re providing articles from the perspective of woodland owners who have taken advantage of some of those options
Flapdoodling
Perspective
Isn’t it nice to hear from others that the challenges you face are not purely unique to your perspective? We are grateful to Greg Walcher from Natural
Resources Group in Colorado for allowing us to reprint his editorial, “Flapdoodling with forest management plans ” Our NWOA members and magazine subscribers are generally focused on private landowners and management issues But the advent of Good Neighbor Authority and the fact that wildfires do not respect property boundaries, we need to keep our eye and ears open for the policy gyrations that public land managers must follow
Point of Interest: Barneveld, NY
There are many interesting nooks and crannies in this great country of ours It is easy to blow by those exit ramps on the interstate and miss some gems hidden in those places unfamiliar to us I hope that our article about one of NWOA’s long time supporters catches your eye If you are in the region of Oneida County (not far from Syracuse), possibly on the NYS Thruway, driving between Albany and Buffalo, you really should make a side trip to visit Hud-Son’s chainsaw museum
Looking Ahead top Next Quarter
We will be covering more stories relating to wildfires, prescribed fire, and defensible space around your woodland-based homestead We are also going to try to increase the reach of the magazine and our membership beyond the ever-aging class of woodland owners - we need them still, and we need them to take the lead on legacy planning, succession planning, estate planning, etc As we all know the changes to climate, the craftiness of invasive plants, voraciousness of pests and ongoing spreading of forest pathogens, never take vacations So our coverage of forest health topics will continue throughout the year
By the way, if you are only receiving the PREVIEW version of this magazine, it’s easy to fix that Visit the website at nationalwoodlands org/join-nwoa and snag a membership
From the Desk of your Executive Director
Mark A. Megalos, Executive Director and our new Communications Director of National Woodland Owners Association
Springtime: Renewal and Growth
This vernal equinox has passed and day length is increasing A total eclipse is behind us and soon the growing season will be in full swing The rhythm and flow of each season brings renewal and hope for our woodlands and the flora and fauna found there We can think of it as change with certainty That change is underway here at NWOA As noted, we have been pursuing efforts to streamline and maximize our outreach to members and partner organizations With new outreach funding we are renewing our efforts to expand our reach in a pilot effort and now across the sustainable forestry and land retention sites Our digitization of the magazine has enabled us to share our content on a wider scale to partner organizations and long time allies
A robust communications plan will improve reach, impact, and value for members and community To that end, I am glad to welcome our newest team member, Amanda Murphy, communications director here at NWOA
Our Communications Director will enhance the lines of communications among partners, NWOA staff and Board We are excited to embark on a new level of engagement and support for underserved communities In addition, Amanda will be serving for two years on a pilot education partnership-guided outreach effort to increase awareness of forest/woodland opportunities to underserved landowners and farmers
Among other duties, Amanda is crafting a communications and marketing plan for her work that should yield measurable benefits to members and allied partners for years to come She is surveying key partners now in an effort to increase our effectiveness in meeting the collective needs of their communities and NWOA’s reach
From Our New Communications Director
“I joined a statewide forestry association as communications director in 2020 For the past seven years of my career, I’ve created and maintained marketing, communications, and social media plans in the roles
I’ve held It’s detailed work to look at all aspects of print and digital media to assess strengths, weaknesses, reach, value proposition, and benchmarking
“After the development of those dynamic marketing and communications plans, I then worked with cutting-edge communications strategies, tactics, and tools to build thriving organic social media My preference is authentic storytelling, helping our members and the public understand what we do through videos, images, and the written word
“My educational degrees are from NC State University, Master of International Studies; and UNC-Chapel Hill, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at the Kenan-Flagler Business School; with a marketing concentration During my time at the forestry association, our focus was supporting industry and I started to notice and pay attention to the needs of the landowner I attended a Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention landowner conference in eastern NC and realized my passion was in supporting landowners to ensure they were able to keep their land in forests Sustainability is in the hands of landowners, and we need to do everything in our power to prevent conversion Once a forest is lost to development, it’s not likely going to return I’m excited to have this opportunity to work on something meaningful to me ”
I hope readers will reach out to me at: communications@nationalwoodlands org
Yours in mindful conservation, Mark A. Megalos, NWOA Executive Director and Amanda Murphy, Communications Director.
Work-and-Learn:
Pile Burning in the Blue Ridge
This article was originally published on the ForestHer North Carolina website on January 11, 2024. Zac O’Donnell is the Coordinator of the Southern Blue Ridge Prescribed Burn Association (PBA) and Mackenzie Alexander is a Forestry Associate with EcoForesters and ForestHer NC’s Communications Chair. This event took place thanks to the generosity and initiative of Olivia and Rocky Ramos and enthusiasm of the Southern Blue Ridge PBA.
Fire is an excellent forest management tool to have in your toolbox It’s cost effective, efficient, and beneficial to many of our natural ecosystems processes Sometimes, however, to make the best use of that fire and the effort involved, it needs a little help from us
When fire hasn’t burned regularly in a region for close to a century, the accumulated debris creates conditions where fire will do one of two things: burn dangerously hot, or not burn hot enough Larger sticks and logs retain more moisture, and won’t always burn during medium or low-intensity prescribed fire, resulting in a less consistent or patchy burn Removing those larger debris can help prescribed fire burn more evenly, and achieve the desired fire intensity and results
Olivia and Rocky Ramos are actively managing their land in Yancey County to bring more diversity back to the dense laurel and rhododendron thickets, and restore their fields for pollinators and farm use While they have successfully used broadcast controlled fire in the past, we decided to use a pile burn method to help clear some of the larger fuels before their next burn
On Friday, December 8th, our crew of 20 burned 6 large piles that had been covered with plastic weeks before, and continued adding woody debris as the piles burned With flames around 20 feet high, we carefully monitored the surrounding trees and
watched for embers landing in the woodland leaf litter Despite our best efforts, the flames were really too hot for roasting hotdogs and marshmallows
While the majority of our workday was spent adding fuel to the fires, some of our crew used blowers and fire rakes to clear an existing fireline through the woods The highly gratifying work, beautiful weather, and incredible group of landowners and forestry professionals made for an excellent day of fire prep
This event was a fantastic example of having folks from a variety of backgrounds and interests come together to learn how to help their forests while also building an empowering and inclusive community Individuals from all across the state attended this event and each of them was willing to put in the work! Watching the confidence to take charge on land management techniques spark in each attendee was an amazing experience and one we hope to continue to achieve
ForestHerNC is an organization focused on supporting, educating, and empowering a community of women landowners and natural resources professionals to engage in forest conservation and stewardship in North Carolina he goal of ForestHer NC is to work to empower and educate women and other marginalized genders so that they feel empowered to take on stewardship of their land
NRCS Forestry in Action in the Land of the Pines
By Joshua Hammond, USDA-NRCS Raleigh, North Carolina
The forests of southern yellow pine (SYP) region are indeed quite a sight to behold These ecosystems play a vital role in each state’s economy and quality of life, covering a significant acreage According to the USDA Forest Service’s Forest and Inventory Analysis (FIA) data for 2012, this totaled over 70,000,000 acres
In recent decades, these states have seen a significant increase in development, putting a historically agricultural and rural region at a crossroads This development also means that conserving and nurturing our forests are of the utmost importance
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) is the federal agency in every state dedicated to helping landowners conserve natural resources on their farms and forests Local offices, staffed with conservation professionals with local knowledge, can help foresters and woodland managers make well-informed conservation decisions and implement the best practices on forests in their care
Some of the more common forestry practices are Forest Stand Improvement, Brush Management, Tree/Shrub Site Preparation and Tree/ Shrub Establishment, Firebreak, Prescribed Burning, and Forest Trails and Landings
A forest stand improvement is defined as the manipulation of species composition, stand structure, or stand density by cutting or killing selected trees or understory vegetation to achieve desired forest conditions or obtain ecosystem services Forest stand improvement involves many activities Degraded or infested trees are cut, and the forest is thinned, allowing for increased growth of remaining trees and new growth A healthy stand improvement enhances the forest, the understory vegetation and allows for plant regeneration to restore natural communities These activities reduce soil erosion, sedimentation, and runoff Other benefits include improved water conservation and wildlife habitat
The brush management practice is used to control undesirable, non-native, and invasive woody vegetation Treatments may be mechanical, chemical, or a combination of the two and are intended to promote the establishment and growth of desirable plants Brush management can be used to improve or restore native habitats Treating invasive and noxious plant species can reduce sedimentation, improve water quality, and maintain or increase wildlife habitat and values Many plant species are “out of place” and this practice allows for the use of herbicides or mechanical treatments to remove these weeds and invasives The goal of this practice is to allow desired plant communities and wildlife habitats to re-establish in a forested or pasture environment
Tree/Shrub Site Preparation is used to improve growing-site conditions prior to establishing a stand of trees and shrubs It encourages natural regeneration of desirable woody plants and permits artificial establishment of woody plants This practice may be applied on all lands needing treatment to establish trees or shrubs Tree/Shrub Establishment is then used to establish trees and shrubs by planting seedlings or cuttings, by direct seeding, or through
encouragement of natural regeneration New trees and shrubs are established under this conservation practice to achieve desired species composition Areas that are favorable for planting woody vegetation are eligible for this activity Tree and shrub establishment can also be used to diversify existing stands and create/increase wildlife habitat It can be used on non-forested land to establish a new forest and reduce soil erosion
A firebreak is a permanent or temporary strip of ground cleared to bare soil or planted with fire-resistant vegetation meant to stop the spread of fire Prescribed fire is another practice used to mitigate forest fire damage Prescribed burning is the intentional and controlled application of fire to a predetermined area to reduce the risk of wildfire, improve wildlife habitat, control weeds, improve pasture or forest stand conditions, and improve forest health
The Forest trails and landings best practice involves the creation and management of temporary or infrequently used routes, paths, or cleared areas This practice minimizes damage to soil, water, plant, and animal resources It is not intended to establish trails for recreational activities NRCS also offers other forestry practices such as crop tree release,
access road repair and skid trail erosion control as well as stream and wetland crossings
Most of the practices fall under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) This program is the flagship program of NRCS It allows the agency to address a multitude of resource concerns on agricultural land or nonindustrial private forests
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
Another program foresters can take advantage of is CSP In this program, NRCS works one-on-one with producers to develop a conservation plan that outlines and enhances existing efforts, using new conservation practices or activities, based on man-
Red cockaded woodpecker
Courtesy of USDA Forest Service, SRS, on bugwood.org # 5475444
agement objectives for your operation Producers implement practices and activities in their conservation plan that expands on the benefits of cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat, all while improving their agricultural operations
For example, if a forester is interested in improving their forest land, they can plant tree species and use stocking levels for higher growth to increase the rate of carbon sequestration (capture)
Also, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that the minimum annual payment for new and renewed contracts for agricultural producers participating in the CSP increased from $1,500 to $4,000 starting in fiscal year 2024
Working with NRCS involves five easy steps. To get started with NRCS, it is recommended that a Non-Industrial Forest landowner stop by their local NRCS field office NRCS provides landowners with free technical assistance or advice, for their land Common technical assistance includes resource assessment, practice design and resource monitoring Your conservation planner will help you determine if financial assistance is right for you To get started on applying for financial assistance, there are several options for an applicant Applications can be received by email, mail, fax, in person, through https://www farmers gov/, and by telephone
Additionally working with NRCS, an applicant will need to work with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to establish records if they haven’t done so already If the applicant already has records established with FSA, some forms may need to be updated annually:
e Form AD-1026: Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification
e Form CCC-941: Average Adjusted Gross Income Certification and Consent to Disclosure of Tax Information
e Forms CCC-902I and/or 902E: Farm Operating Plan for an Individual or Entity
e Additional forms and/or documents may be required
Aside from the FSA documents, applicants will be
required to provide an official tax ID (Social Security number or an employer ID) and a property deed or lease agreement to show you have control of the property All this information is required to establish eligibility
Once eligibility has been established NRCS will rank your application against other similar eligible applications in the same ranking pool In the ranking process NRCS measures the environmental benefit the conservation plan will offer and gives the applicant a score Selection is made based on the applications with the highest scores and how much funds have been allocated to a specific “fund pool ”
Applications with the same score will either all be selected for funding, or none will be funded It all depends on how much funds are available in that specific “fund pool ” If not selected for funding, don’t be discouraged The application stays in the system until more funding becomes available, if more funding doesn’t become available, the application may be reevaluated the following Fiscal Year with the applicant’s approval
If an applicant is selected, they can choose whether to sign the contract for the work to be done; or they can decide not to proceed with a contract There is no penalty for canceling an application if the contract is not yet signed However, canceling a contract could lead to liquidated damages in an amount equal to 10 percent of the total financial assistance obligated to the participant in the contract Once you sign the contract, you’ll be provided standards and specifications for completing the practice or practices, and then they will have a specified amount of time to implement those practices
Visit your local service center to begin: https:// www farmers gov/working-with-us/service-centerlocator
Joshua Hammond is a State Public Affairs Specialist with the N. C. Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC). Contact: Joshua. Hammond@usda.gov, Phone: (919) 873.2103
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender
U S Caring for the Land and Serving People
A Bird’s Eye View: Anticipating Avian Outcomes of Forest Management
From “Rooted in Research,” Forest Service Research and Development (FS R&D) - Issue 23, January 2024
Forest management decisions can have both positive and negative impacts on biodiversity, including bird species Silvicultural treatments such as thinning, single-tree selection, and other methods can influence bird abundance and diversity because different species have different habitat, diet, breeding, and migration needs
To better understand how forest management activities affect bird populations, researchers conducted a meta-analysis that focused on two types of species in eastern North America during the breeding season: mature-forest species and shrubland species The research team was led by David King, a research wildlife biologist with the Northern
Research Station of the U S Department of Agriculture Forest Service
Previous studies have shown both positive and negative relationships between forest management and species abundance, depending on factors such as taxa, geographic location, and forestry practices used This study moved beyond species abundance to analyze the conservation implications of silviculture treatments and provide generalizable, overarching findings about the effects of canopy reduction on the entire bird community These findings can help guide land management decisions related to bird conservation
Silviculture that creates intermediate levels of canopy openness can support both priority species as well as declining shrubland birds that require an open forest canopy.
The wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) is equally abundant in mature forests and shelterwood cuts.
Finding a Balance
Many bird species are in decline Mature-forest bird species such as wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) and cerulean warbler (Setophaga cerulea) have experienced steep declines in eastern North America in recent decades Similarly, many shrubland bird species that rely more on open canopies such as the prairie warbler (Setophaga discolor), field sparrow (Spizella pusilla), and eastern towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) have declined across their ranges Balancing the needs of mature-forest and shrubland birds is challenging because these species occupy different ecological niches
KEY MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS
e In general, low-retention stands (0–10 percent tree retention) support high densities of shrubland bird species, and partially harvested stands (40–70 percent tree retention) support a diversity of mature-forest and shrubland bird species in eastern North America
e Although lightly thinned and unharvested stands resulted in bird communities of lower conservation value, several mature-forest bird species rely on these habitats
e For land managers interested in using postharvest retention of canopy trees to meet ecological objectives,this synthesis can assist in assessing species-specific and community-wide avian responses to harvest levels along the entire gradient of canopy treatments
The research team used conservation values for each bird species determined by Partners in Flight (PIF), a network of organizations dedicated to bird conservation across North and South America that has developed an Avian Conservation Assessment Database to assess conservation vulnerability and status of all bird taxa Drawing on PIF’s conservation values, the team developed objective, community-wide conservation indices associated with different silvicultural treatments calculated by weighing the standardized density of each species (number of birds per unit area) against the density of the tree retention (low, moderate, and high) silvicultural treatments The scores convey the conservation status of the bird communities; higher values indicated greater conservation value (e g , higher densities of more threatened species)
“This is the first study to use a meta-analysis to assess the effects of silviculture on bird communities, to consider both shrubland and mature-forest species, and to supplement abundance values with bird conservation values,” says King, “which enables us to assign an objective bird conservation value for any management scenario ”
The research team had to be selective when choosing studies for the meta-analysis According to King, studies had to address the effects of silviculture, occur in eastern forests, and use some form of survey methodology that could be standardized by unit area “We reviewed hundreds of studies, but only 33 were suitable for inclusion in our analysis,” says King
Benefits and Future Inquiries
Low retention stands with 0–10 percent tree retention (e g , clearcuts) and partially harvested stands with 40–70 percent tree retention (e g , shelterwoods) typically had the highest conservation values Low retention stands had high densities of shrubland bird species, and partial-harvest stands had a mix of both shrubland and mature-forest species These species may be responding to enhanced understory structure produced from these treatments, which they need for nesting or foraging
Unharvested and lightly thinned stands, which the researchers defined as those with 70–100 percent tree retention, typically had the lowest conservation values King attributes this result to the homogeneity of many eastern forests due to historical land use and disruption of natural disturbance regimes While mature-forest birds prefer closed canopies—and these species tended to decline with decreased canopy tree retention and basal area—several priority species had similar or even greater abundances in partially harvested stands and unharvested stands
Even though low retention stands had higher community conservation values and high retention stands had lower values, the researchers advise against using these findings as blanket recommendations to increase harvest intensity Instead, they recommend using the information as one consideration among many in land management decisions For example, the researchers note that unharvested stands provide important habitat for certain species that depend on old-growth forests As King explains, “The youngest and oldest age classes of forest are underrepresented in eastern forests, and efforts to
increase both of these age classes are necessary for biodiversity conservation ”
Noting the benefit of intensively harvesting in certain areas to increase habitat for shrubland birds while preserving forest cover in others to support certain mature-forest species, King says, “The homogeneity of our eastern forests is a well-documented artifact of human land use and suppression of natural disturbances Increasing diversity through silviculture can help managers meet ecological objectives ”
This study highlights the tradeoffs involved in balancing the needs of nesting mature-forest and shrubland birds Understanding the effects of tree retention on different bird species and community-
wide conservation scores can help land managers develop comprehensive conservation strategies for managed forests
PROJECT LEAD
David King is a research wildlife biologist in the Northern Forest Science and Applications research work unit with the USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station.
FURTHER READING
Akresh, Michael E.; King, David I.; McInvale, Savannah L.; Larkin, Jeffery L.; D'Amato, Anthony W. 2023. Effects of forest management on the conservation of bird communities in eastern North America: A meta analysis. Ecosphere. 14(1): e4315. 14(1): e4315. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4315.
Forest Service Research and Development (FS R&D) works with partners to deliver the knowledge and tools that land managers need to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of our Nation’s forests and grasslands for present and future generations
The Northern Research Station (NRS), one of seven FS R&D units, is rooted in the geography of the Northeast and Midwest NRS science supports a sustainable future
Regeneration following a shelterwood cut. Photo by Steven Katovich, USFS. Bugwood#1398231
State Forestry UPDATE
FOUNDED 1920
Urban Forests: Building Cross-Disciplinary Bridges
By Eli Lewis, NASF Policy Coordinator
The wide-ranging societal impacts of urban forests, which consist of not only trees but also urban parks, landscaped boulevards, greenways, and gardens in an urbanized area, were the focus of the Second World Forum on Urban Forests I had the opportunity to join the conference, which brought together professionals from many different sectors
Urban forests are enjoying the spotlight right now, and for good reason Urban forests can help achieve food and nutrition security, mitigate risks of natural disasters, create recreational, cultural, and social opportunities, and facilitate climate adaptation and mitigation strategies 2 The Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) put $1 5 billion towards urban and community forestry, the most significant investment to date While this funding alone is extraordinary, urban forestry can also amplify the impacts of other IRA programming
The IRA consists of a broad suite of funding that aims to serve the same communities from different angles Take the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Clean Investment Fund, for example, which received $14 billion from the IRA This program will enable individuals, families, nonprofits, governments, small businesses, and others to access the capital they need to deploy clean technology projects in their homes and communities Communities with environmental justice concerns are prioritized in this EPA program, and there will inevitably be engagement with the same populations receiving funds for urban and community forestry through the IRA A search through the U S Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) funding navigator corroborates this and shows that many funding opportunities through the IRA target the same com-
munities as the urban and community forestry funds
An overarching theme of the World Forum on Urban Forests was the need to work with people outside of forestry to maximize efficacy; public health officials, for example, can offer valuable insights into the public health needs of a population Angela Tovar, the Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Chicago, shared her vision of urban forests as a mechanism for bringing together different agencies and communities to maximize urban forests’ public health impact Urban trees provide numerous health benefits, such as improved air quality and reduced pollutants, lowered temperatures, reduced heat-related illness and mortality, and more significant opportunities for physical activity Urban forestry professionals and public health officials can better achieve their goals by working together
We must also engage with scientific communities producing research on urban forestry Working across sectors will require an understanding of key research from various disciplines Hanbyul Jo, software engineer at Development Seed, made clear how difficult it is to convey nuanced scientific research to the public or even to professionals from different disciplines Urban and community forestry is at its best when viewed as a part of the overall effort to make cities a healthier place to live The IRA funding is a chance to heighten engagement between government agencies, nonprofits, and communities; many programs in the IRA have cross-over in the communities they engage, and we can encourage a broader vision for these investments The diverse forum discussions remind us that urban forests alone are not a catch-all solution to climate change but rather a critical part of urban areas’ health and climate resilience
The Case for Joining NWOA
Woodland owners across the U S benefit when they are able to access timely and relevant information about sustainable forest management and legacy The mission of the National Woodland Owners Association is to develop and deliver relevant, research-based, objective, actionable information to inform, educate and advocate for woodland owners, their partners, and stakeholders
One of the biggest benefits to membership is receiving the full-color, quarterly National Woodlands magazine featuring:
e Articles on current family forestry issues like wildlife, regulation, invasive species, wildfire, and forest health;
e Late breaking news from Washington DC and state capitals;
e Federal timber tax and economics;
e State, regional, national and international forest products markets;
Other membership benefits include:
e Members can exercise their option to purchase the top rated Woodland Liability and Hunting Lease Liability insurance plans at sizable discounts.
e Receive a discounted annual subscription to American Forests magazine.
Membership Levels and Benefits
1-Year or 2-Year Sustaining Membership levels includes a full year of four, quarterly issues of National Woodlands magazine; access to the top rated Woodland Liability and Hunting Lease Liability insurance plans; and benefit from NWOA’s active representation in Washington, D.C. Sustaining members add that extra funding making it possible for us to do more to support you! Sustaining Membership fees are $50 for one year or $90 for two years (effective 1/1/2022). Adding the optional discounted subscription to American Forests Magazine only costs an additional $10 for one year, or $20 for two years.
e Member articles and letters penned by other woodland owners willing to share ideas and practices that work;
e Science and research news from the U.S. Forest Service, National Association of Conservation Districts, National Association of State Foresters, and others;
e National Historic Lookout Register;
e NWOA News.
e Become a part of an independent, nationwide association organized and run by family forest landowners.
e Active representation in Washington, D.C. on matters of Forest Policy, Taxation, Land Use, Biomass, Carbon, Ecosystem Services, Fair Markets, and More.
1-Year or 2-Year Basic Membership levels include a full year of four, quarterly issues of National Woodlands magazine; access to the top rated Woodland Liability and Hunting Lease Liability insurance plans; and benefit from NWOA’s active representation in Washington, D.C. Basic Membership fees are $40 for one year or $70 for two years (effective 1/1/2022). Adding the optional discounted subscription to American Forests Magazine only costs an additional $10 for one year, or $20 for two years.
Register and pay for your membership using one of these methods:
e Complete your membership on our website and pay with your major credit card through our secure PayPal account. This is the fastest method and requires an email address, assigning yourself a user name and a simple password.
e See page 32 of our magazine to remove and print a copy of our membership application and mail it to our office with a check payable to National Woodland Owners Association (NWOA).*
e Call our office to request an invoice that you may pay by check using US mail.* Call 703255-2700, M-F, 9AM to 4PM (eastern time zone).
*Note: To meet the highest standards of credit card security, NWOA no longer accepts credit card information over the phone.
National Woodland Owners Association
New or Renewing Membership Form*
Visit www.nationalwoodlands.com/join-nwoa to complete your application online.
New Member
Landowner Name:
Mailing Address:
City / State and Zip Code:
Phone:
Email Address (NWOA use ONLY!):
NWOA NWOA
Renewing Member Gift Membership
If you are a woodland owner, what are you primary reasons for owning forestland? Check all that apply Wildlife Recreation Financial Investment Conservation Homestead
Other:
If you are a woodland owner:
Approximately how many acres do you own?
What is the general location of your woodland? County/City State
Please choose from the following membership types:
1 Year Regular Membership - $40
2 Year Regular Membership - $70
1 Year Sustaining Membership - $50
2 Year Sustaining Membership - $90
All above membership types include 1- or 2-year subscriptions to National Woodlands magazine, ESSENTIALS our quarterly blog magazine digest, Wednesday Woodland Word our weekly e-newsletter, NWOA Policy Action Alerts, and access to our Woodland Liability and Hunt Lease Liability insurance lines Members can change their subscription preferences at any time
Include an additional $10 per year to receive American Forests magazine by US mail
Total Payment Enclosed: $
Please mail this form along with check payable to: NWOA, 374 Maple Avenue East, Suite 310, Vienna, VA 22180-4718
Contact us with membership questions at info@nationalwoodlands com or by calling our office at (703) 255-2700
*Personal information provided on this form will be used for membership purposes ONLY and not shared with any other organizations or individuals
WOODLAND LIABILITY INSURANCE and HUNTING LEASE LIABILITY
$1 Million Per Occurrence Coverage with a $2 Million Aggregate NO DEDUCTABLE Offered and serviced by National Woodland Owners for NWOA members Developed by Outdoor Underwriters and backed by select underwriters at Lloyds of London Coverage is available in all 50 states
WOODLAND LIABILITY
1. This coverage for woodlands and field is designed for the legal liabilities a landowner may encounter
2. The cost is 29 cents/acre with a minimum policy payment of $175 with a maximum of 604 acres
3. Provides a personal injury or damage to a neighbor’s property caused by you (i e cutting down tree)
4. Includes defense coverage for claims made by trespassers
5. Multiple tracts may be included if deeded to the same landowner
6. Does not include Workers Compensation Insurance
HUNT LEASE LIABILITY
1. Hunting Lease Liability Insurance, also known as Hunt Club Insurance, is designed for paid hunting leases It is very broad coverage, protecting the hunt club and its members from bodily injury and property damage claims resulting from their activities while on the leased property
2. The cost is 19 cents/acre with a minimum policy payment of $205 with a maximum of 1,079 acres
3. Landowner may request to be protected in the policy with an “additional insured” rider (+$26)
4. Insured clubs receive a Certificate of Insurance to present to the landowner confirming inclusion in NWOA’s national policy
5. At least one member of the hunt club must be a NWOA member to purchase this insurance
6. Multiple tracts may be included, if deeded to the same landowner
COMBINATION
OF WOODLAND LIABILITY AND HUNT LEASE
LIABILITY
A combined policy is available that includes coverage for woodland and hunting lease liability at a rate to $235/year for up to 547 acres (43 cents/additional acres)
More information about our insurance options can be found on our website at: NationalWoodlands.com/insurance
WOODLAND LIABILITY AND/OR HUNT LEASE LIABILITY APPLICATION FORM
Please complete this form according to the type of insurance you are seeking through your membership in the National Woodland Owners Association (NWOA) Coverage is subject to approval by Outdoor Underwriters, Inc Applications received will be effective upon approval and expire according to policy terms
LANDOWNER GENERAL INFORMATION SECTION – Required for both Woodland Liability and Hunt Lease Liability.
Landowner Name
Address Phone
City State Zip Email
Woodland Location: County City State_____________
What is this property used for?
Landowner Signature (not required for Hunt Lease Liability policies)
Are you currently a member of National Woodland Owners Association (NWOA)? a YES a NO*
*Membership in NWOA is a requirement for approval of this insurance application form.
Check all the following that apply to the woodland you wish to insure.
a Are locations fenced or posted?
a Any lakes or ponds?
a Any leased hunting or commercial hunting?
a If yes, are Certificates of Insurance required?
a Any dams/spillways/bridges?
a Any property currently being used for mining?
a Any watercraft or docks?
a Any of the property leased for farming?
a If yes, are Certificates of Insurance required?
a Any buildings?
PLEASE SPECIFY REQUESTED EFFECTIVE DATES – Select one of the following four effective date ranges:
a April 1, 2024 to April 1, 2025
a July 1, 2024 to July 1, 2025
a October 1, 2024 to October 1, 2025
a January 1, 2025 to January 1, 2026
HUNT CLUB INFORMATION SECTION – Skip this section if you are not applying for Hunt Lease Liability Insurance.
Hunt Club Name Contact Name Address Phone City State
Signature of Club Representative Date
Add name(s) and address(es) of additional Insured landowners on a separate sheet of paper. Your total due will require $26 per additional Insured.
CALCULATE YOUR PREMIUM SECTION – Check box, use only one of the following three calculation methods. a Woodland Liability Insurance for Landowners Only
Number of acres to be covered ___________ at $0 29/acre = $__________ or $175*
*This coverage is subject to a minimum premium of $175 for up to 604 acres
a Hunt Lease Liability Insurance for Landowners and Hunt Clubs
Number of acres to be covered ___________ at $0 19/acre = $__________ or $205*
*This coverage is subject to a minimum premium of $205 for up to 1,079 acres
Number of additional Insured for Hunt Lease Liability at $26/landowner $ a Combined Woodland and Hunt Lease Insurance
Number of acres to be covered ___________ at $0 43/acre = $__________ or $235*
*This coverage is subject to a minimum premium of $235 for up to 547- acres
CALCULATE YOUR TOTAL DUE
Amount from the Premium calculation section above: $
For your convenience, you may add your NWOA membership fee here: $
Annual fees: ($40/year Basic Membership. Or, $50/year Sustaining Membership.)
TOTAL AMOUNT DUE: $
Return this completed form and check payable to National Woodland Owners Association
Mail check payable to: National Woodland Owners Association, 374 Maple Ave E , Suite 310, Vienna, VA 22180-4718
Phone: (703) 255-2700 Email: info@nationalwoodlands com Website: nationalwoodlands com/insurance
Are You Thinking Like a Business?
When you acquired your property, most of you were probably thinking about all of the exciting opportunities ahead of you. Maybe it was the chance to spend quiet time away from the city, or a place to gather the family. It might have been a place to hike or a place to call your own and eventually leave to the grandkids. For some of you the land represented an opportunity to produce some income. Regardless of why you acquired the property, at some point, you probably realized that owning forest land does require occasionally thinking of it like a business. If you haven’t thought of the business side of owning land, take a minute and consider these tips which may help reduce the expenses of ownership. Let’s take a look at the business side of owning forest land.
A Management Plan is Job One
The process of developing a forest management plan allows you to examine many business aspects of your property An important consideration for tax purposes is your purpose for owning the land Some federal tax provisions are only available to taxpayers who own the land as either an investment or a business It is important to understand the distinction between these categories Both investors and businesses involve putting money into an asset The real difference in these two is the level of involvement Someone in the forestry business has regular and frequent activity which might include participation in on-the-ground work, and includes participation in planning and decision-making on the property An investor will still have a financial interest, but the property is not likely a major source of income, and the activity level is less than that of someone in the business The other category is personal use This description is most appropriate for someone who harvests firewood or logs for use in a personal cabin but isn’t concerned about making money The development of a management plan, while not required for federal tax purposes, can help establish your purpose for owning land
There are places to obtain funds for work on your property The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) provides money for qualifying projects through cost-share Essentially an acceptable project can receive money to cover some or all of your project expenses To have access to this money you must apply and must have a management plan Be sure to read the articles in this issue of National Woodlands that refer to landowner assistance and incentive programs
If you have a timber management objective, you will think about the cash flows related to your forest Even those without a timber management objective need to consider cash flows to some extent (unless you have an unlimited source of money) As you plan for future roads or gathering places you will consider how to fund these projects There will be expenses associated with routine work on the property as well as expenses related to specific projects Timing projects to match income with expense is a good strategy It’s a good idea to think ahead and plan for funding these projects or seeking money to offset the expense
Let’s Talk Taxes
We are all familiar with the annual bill for our property tax Regardless of your objectives, this expense is a reality Many states have special property tax provisions for forest land Some states are pretty strict about qualifications for these provisions including having a management plan and a timber objective Other states have little to no qualifications other than the land has a certain degree of tree cover You should check the property tax provisions in your state and see what you may qualify for In some states landowners with a timber objective have the option of enrolling in a deferral program in which property taxes are even further reduced However, make sure you understand what you are signing up for One such tax program in Oregon requires an additional tax at the time of harvest to make up for the deferral It is important that you explore how your forest land is taxed and that voluntary programs line up with your objectives If you don’t know if you are enrolled in a preferential tax program or if your state even has one, talk to your county forester or your county tax assessor Some programs are automatic
enrollment while others require signing up Reducing your property taxes is a smart thing to do since it is an annual expense
Federal income taxes are where many landowners lose money due to errors Planning from the time of acquisition can reduce some of the expense associated with taxes From the time you acquire the property you should work to establish the basis for everything you acquired For example, in a purchase you might acquire land, trees and a building The purchase price is usually one lump sum amount
The basis is what you paid for the property Since the purchase price is a lump amount, you will want to allocate the purchase price to the land, trees and building When it is time to sell the trees, you will be able to reduce the gain by the amount you allocated to the timber (your basis) This results in lower taxes! If you received the property as a gift, inheritance or through an exchange, it is still important to know the basis and allocate it among the pieces This is a really important step Doing it at the time of acquisition will save you a lot of hassle and potentially time and money later!
I hope that you don’t lose timber to fire or a storm, but if you do, knowing the basis will be critical for calculation of a loss for taxes Landowners who are in the business or are an investor can deduct losses in the amount of the lesser of basis or decrease in fair market value If you have the property strictly for personal use, you are unable to take a loss deduction unless you are in a Federally declared disaster area and even then, the loss is further limited This shows how important it is to understand how you are using the property
The Devil is in These Details
No matter your objective in owning land, good record-keeping is necessary Starting with records related to the acquisition of the property, keep track of all expenses and income associated with the property You can keep these financial records in a physical notebook or on the computer in either a spreadsheet or some online accounting software
The key is to keep a record of the date, amount, and what the transaction includes If you spend money to put a culvert in, indicate when, how much, what tract (or stand, depending on your unit), and a note that a culvert was installed
Keeping track of records will require some organization Your level of activity will determine
the kind of record-keeping system that works best for you If you have relatively small acreage and have infrequent income and expenses (other than property taxes), you can keep receipts and copies of payments in a file folder If you have frequent income and expenses on the property, it would be useful to set up a system to organize receipts in a more formal manner to ease the process of filing taxes
You should also consider legal and liability issues such as boundaries, easements, and security concerns Your property is most likely one of your most valuable possessions and having clearly marked boundaries will serve as one line of defense You should also have a conversation with a forester about available insurance and whether you need coverage
Anytime you schedule an operation on your property, having a contract is a good idea Most people recognize the need for a contract on a harvest A contract serves as documentation (and agreement) on the specifics of the job and the cost of logging You should think of a contract as protection for both parties in the transaction A well-constructed logging contract is clear about what is to be harvested, the expected time frame for payments and the condition of the site post-logging Of course, a harvest is not the only time a contract is advisable There are performance issues related to applying of any chemicals by another party Reforestation contracts specify species, spacing, and survival expectations
Further Down the Road
Taking care of the property goes beyond current operations You should begin to think about your wishes for the property in the future Any small business or family unit should consider who will take over the property after the current owners We call this succession planning This isn’t talking about taxes at death but instead focuses on preparing the next owner No matter what age you are today, now is the time to start thinking about succession The process involves considering the future needs of heirs as well as your own vision and goals for the property But it isn’t enough to think about it You need to talk to your potential heirs about whether they could see themselves managing the land Not all potential heirs will be interested Maybe you don’t have any potential heirs Now is the time to think about other options that are available for the future of your land That may include a donation to an orga-
nization that can manage the land, or sell it in the future, leaving the cash to an heir or organization
Once you consider the future of the property, now is the time when you can make changes Maybe the best thing you can do is create a formal family business that owns the land There may be advantages to your income tax if you do so in the near future Maybe the task you need to do for succession planning is to start training the next manager while they can learn from you Focusing on the future can help you think about what you need to do today
As you consider your current situation and the future of the land, make sure you have conversations with your family Getting them involved early (and regularly) can keep the property moving towards your goals
Activate Your “Business” Team
Consult with your forester, accountant and maybe even a lawyer if you need to make some organizational changes As a forester, my goal is always to help landowners reach their objectives, whatever they are Spending a little money now to get solid advice will save money in the long run Thinking like a business doesn’t have to mean you are only considering profit If your goals are not related to timber production, my hope is that a little business thinking can help you minimize the expenses associated with reaching your goals If even one of your goals is timber oriented, thinking like a business, even if you aren’t one, can help improve your profit goals
Dr. Tammy Cushing is an Extension Forest Business & Economics Specialist at University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. She serves as an At-Large Director for National Woodland Owners Association Board of Directors. She is also a Past President of the Society of American Foresters.
Expiration of the 2018 Farm Bill and Extension in 2024
The farm bill is an omnibus, multiyear law that governs an array of agricultural and food programs. It provides an opportunity for policymakers to address a broad range of agricultural and food issues about every five years. On November 19, 2023, Congress enacted a one-year extension (P.L. 118-22, Division B, §102) of the current farm bill (the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018; P.L. 115-334). The 2018 farm bill expired on September 30, 2023, and with the 2023 crop year (crops harvested in 2023). The extension continues authorizations until September 30, 2024, and for the 2024 crop year.
Recent farm bills have faced legislative hurdles for enactment, such as insufficient votes to pass the House floor, presidential vetoes, and delays resulting in short-term extensions. The 2002 farm bill expired at the end of 2007, and parts were extended in the spring of 2008. The 2008 farm bill expired at the end of 2012 and was extended for one year in 2013. The 2014 farm bill was not extended because the 2018 farm bill was enacted during the period between the end of the fiscal year and the end of the calendar year. In 2023, no markups or legislative action occurred to reauthorize the farm bill besides the extension.
R47659
February 23, 2024
Jim Monke Specialist in Agricultural Policy
Megan Stubbs Specialist in Agricultural Conservation and Natural Resources Policy
Randy Alison Aussenberg Specialist in Nutrition Assistance Policy
The timing and consequences of the farm bill expiring vary by program across the breadth of the act. There are two new principal expiration dates: September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2024. The major issues and consequences for expiration are the following:
For programs with mandatory funding that is provided by the farm bill and for provisions that expire at the end of FY2024, authority to operate may cease.
For programs with a fiscal year authorization that are funded with discretionary appropriations, or for programs with mandatory spending authorized but not appropriated by the farm bill such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) an appropriations act or continuing resolution could allow operations to continue.
For the farm commodity and dairy support programs that expire after the 2024 crop year, the consequences of expiration begin on January 1, 2025, when inactive and outdated laws—commonly called “permanent law”—would be restored for dairy, the first commodity affected in the new crop year. Some programs had their expiration dates extended beyond the expiration of the farm bill by other legislation. P.L. 117-169, commonly known as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, extended some but not all conservation programs through FY2031.
Some programs, such as crop insurance, are permanently authorized, do not expire, and would not be affected by farm bill expiration.
For the farm commodity programs that face consequences after January 1, 2025, permanent law refers to a set of nonexpiring provisions from the 1938 and 1949 farm bills that remain in statute but are temporarily suspended by each recent farm bill. Permanent law does not recognize relationships in productivity gains and technological advances in agriculture. It is inconsistent with modern government policies that reduce the effects of market intervention and that meet U.S. obligations in the World Trade Organization. Permanent law would support dairy, wheat, rice, cotton, and corn but would not support soybeans, peanuts, and sugar, among other commodities. If the permanent law suspension were to expire, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) would be required to implement permanent law, which is likely more expensive to the government and consumers than the current farm bill. Under permanent law, USDA would be required to support eligible commodities at levels that exceed 2024 market prices. USDA has found during previous farm bill reauthorizations that billions of dollars of additional government expenditures could occur if the suspension were to expire.
The one-year extension during 2024 continues all of the 2018 farm bill authorities that were in effect at the end of FY2023 for all of FY2024 and the 2024 crop year. The extension provides $177 million of mandatory funding, with offsets, to 19 of the 21 programs from the 2018 farm bill that did not have continuing funding.
This is where NWOA members and National Woodlands magazine readers share their perspectives on timely topics of their choosing and personal point of view. See the Disclaimer statement on page 3 of this magazine for our policy on author submissions.
Greg Walcher: Flapdoodling with forest management plans
For decades, we have debated the destruction of our national forests caused by a lack of management We have watched catastrophic fires incinerate 200 million acres over the past 30 years Yet we still cannot escape the conceited, supercilious popinjays in the environmental industry who insist on dictating forestry policy to professional foresters
The latest demonstration of their destructive prescriptions is a new Forest Service proposal to rewrite all 128 national forest management plans to save “old growth ” The idea that it must be “saved” from active management is pure flapdoodle, or perhaps flummadiddle if you are into semantics One would think after almost all leaders — even most environmental leaders — agree that active management must return to the landscape to save the forests, the agency in charge would end its reliance on outdated slogans like “save the old growth ”
Agency chiefs have appeared at conferences and made speeches for years, giving lip service to the need to restore forests that are dying, collapsing, and burning — a disaster then-Sen Ken Salazar once called the “Katrina of the West ” Unfortunately, not much progress has been made in the years since activists and zealots put a stop to almost all forest management, building a virtual wall against human activity Instead, the bark beetles went unchecked, marching across millions of acres of forests from northern New Mexico to British Columbia, leaving a trail of destruction that would make Sherman blush Colorado alone has over 800 million dead trees across 3 4 million acres
Opponents of forest management are still chanting about spotted owls and clear-cutting and related issues from the distant past, failing to understand or acknowledge that some species of trees will not grow back without clearcutting, while others will not
grow back with it Old growth is a similarly discredited one-size-fits-all mantra, as foresters know some species can live more than a thousand years, and others barely a hundred In other words, all types of forests cannot be managed the same in all places Yet that is precisely what the agency’s latest pronunciamento would do
The edict is based, of course, on the assertion that old growth must be saved for a new reason, climate change But are officials really so ignorant of the vital role young, healthy, growing trees play in capturing carbon dioxide? Or of the immense and unprecedented emission of carbon dioxide that results from disastrous forest fires? Or the role professional management can play in ensuring healthy growing forests? Sadly, the agenda driving such decisions is still based — after all these years — on political sloganeering designed to raise money for nonprofit groups They still rely on sky-is-falling fearmongering because that’s what generates money and power
Predictably, the official proposal ignores laws governing forest management, especially those referring to “multiple use” and “sustained yield,” while claiming that the plan will, as a Biden executive order put it, “Strengthen the Nation’s Forests, Communities, and Local Economies ” Translation: let even more forests die and burn, while killing communities and local economies
The federal Data Quality Act requires management decisions to be based on the best available scientific knowledge and research But this proposal instead insists on careful consideration of “Indigenous Knowledge,” which is largely based on legend, tradition and folklore, not science There are also references to the use of artificial intelligence, though its precise role is not defined No law ever passed
by Congress includes such criteria for managing national forests, but that apparently cannot stop people still blindly dedicated to a 1970s agenda to kill all remaining forest products businesses
I have to spend half an hour sorting through the entire bin at the big box store to find a handful of semi-straight 2x4s, most of which are imported from Canada or elsewhere, while America’s own domestic lumber supplies remain mostly off limits The politicians, environmental lawyers and judges who tie professional forest managers’ hands evidently do not care about that, any more than they care about the vast swaths of dead forests awaiting their inevitable appointment with lightning
Instead of showing leadership on an issue that is so vital to millions of Westerners, the activists who
apparently dictate forest policy to the government are instead squandering the greatest legacy of the conservation movement, the national forests They are still hung up on obsolete jingles like “save the old growth ” The word “meretricious” refers to something that seems attractive at first but on careful examination has no value at all It’s the perfect description of this new-old policy Also called flapdoodle
Greg Walcher is an author and columnist, President of the Natural Resources Group, former Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, and a native of Western Colorado.
Conservation Districts Lead the Charge Against Feral Swine in Georgia
In the lush landscapes of Georgia, a relentless battle wages against the invasive, highly damaging feral swine These descendants of domestic pigs, now wide-spread and invasive, pose a significant threat to agriculture, natural habitats, and local economies Amid the challenges posed by these destructive creatures, a coalition of conservation districts, governmental bodies, and research institutions is rising to the occasion, employing innovative strategies to manage and mitigate the impact of feral swine across the state
The Georgia Association of Conservation Districts began this work in earnest in 2017 when the Brier Creek Conservation District, under the leadership of Chair Tom Mims, initiated a program to address the escalating feral swine population within its jurisdiction By equipping local Hog Control Custodians (HCC) with trapping equipment and offering targeted eradication services, the district aimed to assist distressed landowners and producers The success of this program inspired a statewide effort, spearheaded by Mims, who now serves as the Chair of the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) Feral Swine Committee
Presently, over 20 districts across the state are implementing similar control services, resulting in an estimated $5.5 million in property damage savings for affected landowners.
Combating feral swine extends beyond eradication efforts alone; it requires a comprehensive understanding of the ecosystems they disrupt and the broader economic implications of their presence Ongoing research projects, such as the Albany Area pilot initiative, exemplify this multi-faceted approach This collaborative effort between the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District, Jones Center at Ichauway, and the UGA Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources spans 25,000 acres in Calhoun County, Georgia
Within these strides in feral swine management, a critical link emerges between their presence and the preservation of Georgia’s iconic longleaf pine forests Longleaf pine ecosystems, once sprawling across more than 90 million acres of the North American landscape, now occupy a mere three percent of their former range Within these dwindling remnants lie some of the world’s most biologically diverse ecosystems, providing vital habitat for countless plant and animal species, including 29 threatened and endangered species
The destructive rooting behavior of feral swine disrupts the delicate balance of longleaf pine habitats, impeding efforts towards their restoration and conservation This nexus between feral swine and longleaf pine restoration underscores a critical need for deeper exploration, particularly from an economic standpoint While the immediate costs of feral swine damage are evident, the long-term implications for timber industries and ecosystem services remain less understood
The Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, in collaboration with partners like the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and local stakeholders, plays a pivotal role in driving these discussions forward Initiatives such as trap rental programs in Middle South Georgia and trap lease programs by the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District demonstrate a concerted effort to engage communities, empower landowners, and foster sustainable solutions to the feral swine crisis
As Georgia navigates the intricate web of ecological challenges posed by feral swine, one thing remains clear: the stakes are high, but so is the resolve to confront them
To learn more about the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, the soil and water conservation districts of Georgia and associate programs, please visit, https://www.gacd.us/
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