Forestry Briefs
Michigan
New Allegan Conservation District forester promotes value of having forest stewardship plan
Allegan Conservation District forester Benjamin Savoie hopes to help local landowners get the most from their woods with a forest stewardship plan. Savoie said shaping a plan starts with asking the landowner a series of questions: What do you value most about your woodland? How do you use it? And what kinds of wildlife do you hope to attract?
“If they have plants, trees, and shrubs that are preferable to species like deer and turkey, you’re more likely to see them on your property… Having a management plan in place to either plant, or naturally grow these preferred species can definitely help for managing wildlife,” he told MLive. Click here to read more.
Pennsylvania
Conservation district helps preserve 500 acres of woodland
The Perry County Conservation District was among several partners to help complete a three-year project to preserve 500 acres of woodland in the county. The area is considered a wildlife refuge and is located near other protected lands, including the Tuscarora State Forest. Click here for more.
Iowa
SWCD encourages landowners to start planning for windbreaks
The Buena Vista Soil and Water Conservation District issued a press release to encourage area residents to consider planning now for 2017 windbreak installations or repairs. Windbreaks are linear plantings of trees and shrubs designed to enhance crop production, protect people and livestock, and benefit soil and water conservation. They are one of five recognized agroforestry practices.
In the release, the district suggested the months of January and February were good times to plan where windbreaks should be constructed and what type of plantings would be needed. It also said this month and next were prime times for signing up for cost share incentives. Read more on the story here.