Tree Farmer - July/August 2011 - (Page 20)

Conservation Programs By Conant dan Offer Tools for Tree Farmers, But Trouble on the Horizon This June, the American Tree Farm System released a new study, Forests in the Farm Bill Progress Report: 2010 Updated Edition. ATFS is working to maintain and improve tools for family forest owners to keep their forests healthy and intact for future generations. Farm Bill conservation programs offer some of these tools. The study examined how these programs are helping to conserve and improve the sustainable management of family forests and Tree Farms. The key findings from the study include: • The largest conservation cost-share program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), put more of its resources toward forestry in 2010. Forestry funding increased 43 percent. Even with these gains, forestry is still a small part of the EQIP program—with just 6 percent of the program going toward forestry. Through EQIP, family forest owners have reforested land devastated by drought or fire, removed invasive species and prevented future harm through good management. • The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) now devotes a significant amount (25 percent) of its resources to improving forested habitat, leveraging landowner investments in thinning, prescribed burning, and planting. • Landowner outreach and education through the USDA Forest Service’s Forest Stewardship Program, is on the decline—with 60 percent fewer owners receiving education assistance. This is due to state budget cuts, since this program leverages state and private resources. The Forest Stewardship Program’s education and outreach, serves as a gateway for getting landowners involved good forest management. • While landowner education has been hit, programs that help landowners implement improvements have held up relatively well. In 2010, more than 38,000 landowners nationwide participated in USDA conservation programs, helping to improve and conserve 5.5 million acres of private forestland. The on-the-ground work underway because of these programs is impressive. Just ask Harry and Joyce Pionke of Snowshoe, Pennsylvania. In 2007, their 100 acres of oak, which was their retirement investment, were devastated by gypsy moth. Using Farm Bill conservation programs, they were able to replant their forest with a mix of species to ensure that future outbreaks aren’t as devastating. The Pionkes invested their own time and money but the federal program helped stretch their dollars even further. Similarly, Tom and Ginny Chrisenton of Lyndeborough, New Hampshire created better habitat for game and nongame species in their forest. Their land borders a national wildlife refuge, and as a result, the Chrisentons have always welcomed visitors on their property. Through a partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, they built more than 10 miles of new trails for visitors, while creating more than 35 acres of new wildlife habitat for black bears, turkey and moose. Because of these efforts, wildlife now have greater habitat range, and visitors have more terrain to explore at just a fraction of the typical cost. 20 International Year of Forests, 2011 Tree Farmer JULY/AUGUST 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Tree Farmer - July/August 2011

Tree Farmer - July/august 2011
Contents
Cover Story
2011 Western Regional Tree Farmers of the Year
Forestry 101: Planting Small Bare Root Seedlings
Conservations Programs
Ties to the Land
Taxing Issues
Gadgets & Gear
Woodland Security
Wildlife Matters

Tree Farmer - July/August 2011