Caring for and using the forest now while still ensuring its health and productivity into the future

1. 1
FOREST
STEWARDSHIP
Pennsylvania Forest
Stewardship Program

2. Forest Stewardship is about tending
our forests for the future

3. What We’ll Discuss
• Importance of Forests
• Need for Forest
Stewardship
• PA Forest Stewardship
Program

4. 4
THE IMPORTANCE OF
FORESTS

5. 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.

6. Forests support a wide array of
life, including birds such as the
Ruffed Grouse….

7. PhotoCourtesyKennethM.Gale,www.forestryimages.org,
…plants, like this trillium,…

8. 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

9. Dynamic Natural Forces
Dead trees open up spaces for new trees to grow.
An ice storm may damage and kill trees, but fallen branches
provide tender
twigs and buds on
the forest floor
which can help
animals survive
the winter.

10. 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

11. 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.

12. Forests sequester CO2. CO2 is a
greenhouse gas. High levels of it
contribute to global warning.
Forests improve Air Quality

13. PhotoCourtesyofBillyHumphries,ForestResourceConsultants,Inc.,
www.forestryimages.org
Provides shade
Offers windbreaks
Forests help Regulate the Climate
Local climate affects the regional, which in turn affects the global climate.

14. Forests provide us with many recreational
opportunities:
Camping…

15. …opportunities to observe wildlife…

16. ….and provide a quiet haven – a respite from
our fast-paced lives.

17. Forests also supply us with the
many wood products we use
every day:
Wood for construction

18. Paper and
paper
products

19. 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

20. 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.

21. Forests also are the source
of specialty products (like
maple syrup and ginseng)

22. Benefits from the
forest depend on our
use and care of the
forest.

23. 23
THE NEED FOR
FOREST
STEWARDSHIP

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. Forest Stewardship implies
giving back at least as
much as we take.
Pictures of Chestnut orchard, courtesy of Carl Martin, PAFS

27. A brief history of
our Pennsylvania
forests will help
illustrate why
forest
stewardship is so
important today.
Some History

28. Mature forests were heavily
and repeatedly cut

29. 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.

30. After the timber was removed, many of
the lands were abandoned
Intentional and unintentional
fires burned large areas
PA, 1918

31. During the early part of the
twentieth century fire prevention
and conservation efforts helped
stop abusive practices.

32. Today’s forests have
grown up almost
entirely from
abandoned farm fields
and cut-over areas.

33. 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

34. 71%
12%
9%
3% 5%
Private Forest
Landowners
State Forest
State Game Lands
Allegheny National
Forest
Who Owns the Forest?
In PA much of the harvesting pressure is on private forest
landowners.

35. Most industrial and government lands
have management plans.

36. 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.

37. 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)

38. 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

39. 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

40. 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. 41
THE PENNSYLVANIA
FOREST STEWARDSHIP
PROGRAM

42. Forest Stewardship Program
• Improve ecological health of
private forestlands
• Provide education and technical
assistance
• Encourage management plans
• Voluntary

43. 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.

44. Forest Stewardship Program in PA
In 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

45. 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

46. Education and Awareness
• Publications
• PowerPoint presentations
• Website
• Outreach and training
• PA Forest Stewards volunteers
• Support Woodland Owner Associations

47. • Publications
• PowerPoint presentations
• Website
• Outreach and training
• PA Forest Stewards Program
• Support for Woodland Owner Associations
Education and Awareness

48. 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

49. 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

50. 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

51. 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

52. 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.

53. From the Woods Youth Series
Designed primarily for youth but
suitable for all ages.
Titles include:
• White-Tailed Deer
• Watersheds
• Harvesting Timber

54. 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

55. Other Publications
Titles include:
• Timber Taxation
• Best Management Practices for
PA Forests

56. • Publications
• PowerPoint presentations
• Website
• Outreach and training
• PA Forest Stewards Program
• Support for Woodland Owner Associations
Education and Awareness

57. Forest Stewardship Presentations
• Biodiversity
• Legacy Planning
• Forest Marketing
• Tree Identification
• Living with Wildlife
• Water Quality
• Forest Stewardship
• Forestry for Wildlife

58. • Publications
• PowerPoint presentations
• Website
• Outreach and training
• PA Forest Stewards Program
• Support for Woodland Owner Associations
Education and Awareness

59. http://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources
• Wood Products
• Forest Stewardship
• Professional Development
Program
• Water Resources
• Wildlife & Fisheries Science
• Youth
• Urban and Community Forestry

60. County Economic Data
Also 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

61. Private Forest Landowners
http://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/forests/private
• Program Information
• Forest Steward Profiles
• Woodlands Associations
• Links
• News and Events
• Webinars and Publications

62. • Publications
• PowerPoint presentations
• Website
• Outreach and training
• PA Forest Stewards Program
• Support for Woodland Owner Associations
Education and Awareness

63. 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.

64. Points of Contact
• Bureau of Forestry Offices
• County Extension Offices
• Toll-Free Number: 1-800-235-9473

65. • Publications
• PowerPoint presentations
• Website
• Outreach and training
• PA Forest Stewards Program
• Support for Woodland Owner Associations
Education and Awareness

66. PA Forest Stewards Program
A 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.

67. 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.

68. How Does the Program Work?
40 Hours Training = Time requested in Outreach

69. 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

70. 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

71. 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 application
3. If you are selected, you attend
the 40 hours of training
For more information, visit the website

72. • Publications
• PowerPoint presentations
• Website
• Outreach and training
• PA Forest Stewards Program
• Support for Woodland Owner
Associations
Education and Awareness

73. Woodland Owners Associations
• Independent nonprofit
organizations
• 20+ associations
• Over 1200 members
Where “The rubber meets the road” for Sustainable Forestry
among Private Forest Landowners

74. Who Belongs to Woodland
Associations?
• Private Forest Landowners
• Non-landowners
• Foresters
• Businesses
• Natural resource professionals
Membership policies differ for each organizations.

75. Who Runs Woodlands Associations?
• Private
• Independent
• Non Profit
• Self-supporting
• Operated by members

76. Benefits of Being Involved in a
Woodlands Association
• Educational programs
• Tours
• Demonstrations
• Newsletters
• Meetings

77. 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

78. Demonstrations
• Horse logging
• Maple syrup production
• Controlling interfering
plants
• Tree planting
• Wildlife habitat
improvement
• Pheasants
• Ruffed grouse
• etc….

79. Tours
• Chestnut plantation
• Forestry demonstration woodlot
• Sawmill
• State timber sale
• Private woodlots
• etc…

80. 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

81. Forest Stewardship Program Provides
• Education and Awareness
• Technical Assistance
Courtesy of Carl Martin, PAFS

82. 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.

83. The plan, based on owner’s
objectives, can be a combination of:
Pink lady slipper
Environmental

84. Recreational
Aesthetic

85. The plan recognizes the importance
of the management of all resources.
Or income-producing

86. 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.

87. Forest Stewardship plans
can include a wide variety
of beneficial practices….
Promote the growth of new forests

88. Promote the growth of desirable
tree species
Stimulate
regeneration
Improve habitat
for wildlife
All photos courtesy of Carl Martin, PAFS

89. Soil and water protection and improvement
Planting permanent vegetative cover

90. Design improvements
such as :
• forest roads
• stream crossings
• drainage systems
• water diversion systems
• stream fencing

91. Riparian and wetland protection
and improvements to:
• Reduce sedimentation
• Reduce stream-bank degradation
• Improve water quality
• Improve forested wetland productivity
(wildlife, timber, water)

92. Fisheries habitat enhancements:
• Habitat improvement or modification
• Spawning areas
• Woody debris
• Food supplies

93. Wildlife habitat enhancements:
• Cover
• Forest openings
• Corridors

94. Other wildlife support:
• Nesting
• Food and water
Establishing, protecting threatened or endangered species
(both flora and fauna)
Golden-Winged Warbler

95. And forest recreation enhancements:
• Paths, trails
• Permanent vegetative cover

96. 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).

97. Responsibilities include…
…watershed protection…
…wildlife habitat
(creation and
maintenance)…

98. …an awareness of the neighboring environment and the
role the land plays in the regional landscape…
Susquehanna River

99. …the need to
keep the land
healthy and
productive…

100. …the importance of balancing short-term gain with long-term
financial potential and other benefits…

101. ..and an appreciation for the aesthetic value of the land.

102. Above all, forest stewards recognize that what they do with their
forestland today will determine what kinds of forests will exist
for future generations.

103. 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
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