Tree Farmer - March/April 2010 - (Page S3)

• If there are changes to your forest condition. For example, ice damage has occurred, or there has been a failed reforestation attempt. Include notes assessing the changes and how you are dealing with those condition changes. For pest and diseases, be sure to include the range of tools (mechanical, biological, silvicultural, or chemical) that you have considered in dealing with pest and disease (Integrated Pest Management) and which tools you ultimately decided to use. • If you acquired additional acreage to your existing Tree Farm however, these additional acres do not change your management goals or intensity of activities. Include notes describing the new acreage (number of acres, forest condition, forest type, tract map, date of purchase etc.,). • If your Tree Farm management plan also serves as the plan for another program (e.g., state tax abatement program), you may have required updates to remain in those programs and to avoid penalties. Management plan rewrites are appropriate when: • You change your objectives for your woods and your current management plan outlines activities that do not adequately address your new objectives. • A massive natural disaster dramatically changes the forest and the management activities outlined in the current plan. • You acquire significant additional acreage that changes the scope, scale, and intensity of your management. It is recommended that you work with a forester to create a plan that represents the current scope, scale and intensity of your management. • The ownership of the woodlands changes and the objectives or goals of the new owner are different from those of the original management plan. It is recommended that the new owner work with a forester to develop a new management plan that reflects the new owner’s objectives. Meeting the new 2010-2015 Standards The AFF Standards were developed as a guide to help you, the landowner, with the management of your forestland. The Standards offer flexibility in the way your management can meet the requirements of the 2010-2015 Standards. Below are some specific steps you can take to maintain your Tree Farm certification under the revised 2010-2015 Standards. 1) review your management plan When did you last review your management plan? Your management plan is the path to reaching your objectives, and a good review can highlight areas where your management could be adapted to better meet your objectives. A few questions to ask yourself during your review include: Have your objectives for your forestland changed? Have you sold or purchased land? Have you completed all of the recommended activities outlined in your plan? 2) update your management plan Once you have reviewed your plan, make any necessary updates. Be sure to mention each of the required resource elements under the 2010-2015 Standards (see Indicator 1.1.2). ATFS recommends you contact your forester or natural resource professional if you find you need a full plan rewrite. Resources are also available on the ATFS website , including a management plan addendum if your plan meets your objectives, but is missing some of the required resource elements for Tree Farm certification. Updates to your plan can be as simple as a handwritten note indicating when a planned activity was completed; however, be sure to include a date on any handwritten notes. 3) research special sites As part of your management plan update, be sure to look for any special sites that might be on your property. Special sites are areas that offer unique historical, archeological, cultural, geological, biological, or ecological value (see Standards glossary). Under the 2010-2015 Standards, Tree Farmers are required to address, in their management plan, any special sites found on their land (see Indicator 1.1.2). Paired with this management plan requirement, the Standards require Tree Farmers to research the location of threatened and endangered species and special sites (see Indicators 5.1.1 and 7.1.1). There are many resources available to help you with your special sites research – your local forester, local NRCS office, state natural heritage program, and consulting foresters. The ATFS Woodland Owners Resource online is a great place to start your search . 4) Walk your property As you think about necessary updates to your management plan and research special sites, take the time to walk your property. A walk through your woodlands will show you if you have any problems with invasive species, if there are any special sites you had not noticed before, or if you need to re-mark your boundary lines. 5) Let your objectives direct your management activities All of the work you have done while walking in your woodlands researching will help guide your management activities to ensure they work to reach your management objectives. Your management plan is a guide, a living document, that can change as your forest does. Let your time spent preparing your management activities and plan to meet the requirements of the 2010-2015 AFF Standards be time where you get to know the various values of your woodlands or have an important conversation with your family about your land. http://www.treefarmsystem.org/woodlandresources http://www.treefarmsystem.org/woodlandresources http://www.treefarmsystem.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Tree Farmer - March/April 2010

Tree Farmer - March/April 2010
Contents
Cover Story
Create a Recreational Trail
A Life Spent in the Woods
Ties to the Land
Public Policy
Wildlife Matters
From your Committees

Tree Farmer - March/April 2010