Plan for the Future of Your Woodland
By Michael Ahr, WMSWCD Forest Conservationist
On February 16, I started working for the West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District as its Forestry Conservationist. I’ve had the chance to talk with several members of the Skyline Ridge community already and appreciate the warm welcome I have received. I will be available to answer questions you have about your woodlands and can help with management projects that you may be undertaking such as invasive weed removal, enhancement of wildlife habitat, improving forest health, and others.
I want to promote one idea right from the start. Think about the future of your woodland and work with us on a Forest Stewardship Plan.
The creation of a Stewardship Plan is a great way for you to think about the future of your property and get to know the land a bit better. Please contact me-I can easily guide you through the process. A few things that a Stewardship Plan will include:
Landowner objectives
Perhaps the most valuable part of the plan is determining your objectives or goals for the property. You may be interested in improving songbird habitat, reducing wildfire risk, or harvesting wood or other non-timber products like floral greens or mushrooms. Whatever your goals, it helps to write them down on paper.
Inventory
We can spend time on your property to determine which tree and shrub species you have. In your plan, you’ll also want to identify certain features that need protection like streams, wetlands, or springs as well as pockets of disease like laminated root rot or areas where beavers or insects could be affecting tree health.
10-year timeline
Once you’ve identified your objectives and know a bit more about what’s on your property and the opportunities present, you will formulate a 10-year timeline of when you might complete certain activities like removing some small trees from a crowded patch of forest to improve the health, or planting diverse flowering shrubs to encourage pollinators and hummingbirds to visit the site. You are not necessarily bound to complete the activities listed in the timeline, but we really encourage you to list items that you think you can take on in the near future.
From my experience in Oregon and Washington, I have found that landowners really enjoy the process of writing a Stewardship Plan. It is an educational experience that leaves a landowner much more comfortable making decisions about the land. Many of these plans end up being fairly simple and can be carried out by busy people who work all week!
So, what are some other reasons to complete a Stewardship Plan?
I am excited to be working with forest owners in the West Hills of Multnomah County, please contact me at (503) 238-4775, ext. 109 or [email protected] with any questions you have about your woods. I hope to work with you soon.
RR0410
On February 16, I started working for the West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District as its Forestry Conservationist. I’ve had the chance to talk with several members of the Skyline Ridge community already and appreciate the warm welcome I have received. I will be available to answer questions you have about your woodlands and can help with management projects that you may be undertaking such as invasive weed removal, enhancement of wildlife habitat, improving forest health, and others.
I want to promote one idea right from the start. Think about the future of your woodland and work with us on a Forest Stewardship Plan.
The creation of a Stewardship Plan is a great way for you to think about the future of your property and get to know the land a bit better. Please contact me-I can easily guide you through the process. A few things that a Stewardship Plan will include:
Landowner objectives
Perhaps the most valuable part of the plan is determining your objectives or goals for the property. You may be interested in improving songbird habitat, reducing wildfire risk, or harvesting wood or other non-timber products like floral greens or mushrooms. Whatever your goals, it helps to write them down on paper.
Inventory
We can spend time on your property to determine which tree and shrub species you have. In your plan, you’ll also want to identify certain features that need protection like streams, wetlands, or springs as well as pockets of disease like laminated root rot or areas where beavers or insects could be affecting tree health.
10-year timeline
Once you’ve identified your objectives and know a bit more about what’s on your property and the opportunities present, you will formulate a 10-year timeline of when you might complete certain activities like removing some small trees from a crowded patch of forest to improve the health, or planting diverse flowering shrubs to encourage pollinators and hummingbirds to visit the site. You are not necessarily bound to complete the activities listed in the timeline, but we really encourage you to list items that you think you can take on in the near future.
From my experience in Oregon and Washington, I have found that landowners really enjoy the process of writing a Stewardship Plan. It is an educational experience that leaves a landowner much more comfortable making decisions about the land. Many of these plans end up being fairly simple and can be carried out by busy people who work all week!
So, what are some other reasons to complete a Stewardship Plan?
- The plan will help you qualify for funding opportunities that help you to achieve your objectives
- You can use this plan to qualify for forest tax deferral
- If you and your neighbors have a Stewardship Plan where you have planned similar activities, you may be able to work cooperatively to save money on contractors and other services
- Several forest certification programs require a landowner to have a plan
- Landowners who have a Stewardship Plan tend to have healthy, beautiful forest land that benefits their family and the fish and wildlife species that call the land home.
- If you are thinking of doing some work in your woodland in the coming years, a Stewardship Plan is a great way to start. Completing the plan is only the beginning as we can find several ways to help you with technical and financial assistance as you complete the planned activities in the future.
I am excited to be working with forest owners in the West Hills of Multnomah County, please contact me at (503) 238-4775, ext. 109 or [email protected] with any questions you have about your woods. I hope to work with you soon.
RR0410