Land Management
Landowners have many options for managing their land. To support the Wildlands and Woodlands vision, we provide a few helpful links for those people who want to manage their land to promote old growth characteristics as might reflect a managed form of "Wildlands" and for those who want to promote wood production, drinking water, or specific wildlife habitat in their woodlands.
Wildlands Management: Old Growth Characterisitics
Old-growth forest was once the predominant natural condition across southern New England before European settlement; however it is now one of the rarest habitats in our region, constituting less than one-tenth of 1 percent (<.1%) of our forests. While much attention has been paid to protecting "true" old growth, little attention has been paid to creating or restoring old-growth characteristics. There are both passive and active management approaches, depending on your landowner objectives.
Helpful Links:
Woodlands Management
Our woodlands provide us with tremendous benefit including scenic backdrops, privacy, wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities. Woodlands also provide the "green infrastructure", clean water and carbon sequestration necessary to sustain us. In addition, woodlands enhance the value of wildlands by buffering them from negative impacts, such as exotic/invasive plants.
Well-planned, active forest management provides the opportunity to enhance forest benefits. Working with a reputable licensed forester to evaluate your options and implement management is highly recommended and a great way to start.
Landowners that have managed their woods can be a tremendous resource to friends and neighbors by sharing knowledge and experiences (e.g., where to go for information or which professionals to use). Helping other landowners make informed decisions about their land is at the core of the W&W vision.
Helpful Links:
- Find the State Service Forester working in your town
- Find a private, Licensed Forester working in your town
- Find a neighbor with training and experience in forest conservation
- Implementing forest management