From Town to Community Forests: A Spectrum of Benefits

Transcription

1 From Town to Community Forests: A Spectrum of Benefits Karen Bennett, Extension Forester, karen.bennett@unh.edu Julie Renaud Evans, Director of Forestry, jevans@northernforest.org

2 Town & Community Forests Project Increasing Contributions of Town and Community Forests 1. Inventory of town and community-owned forests 2. Develop an outreach plan and implement it through workshops and other means 3. Increase number of community forests and stewardship Financial support: U.S. Forest Service

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4 Who are you and what do you want to learn?

5 What is a Community Forest? New England Town Forests -- Old model with new relevance The Landscape of Community by Robert McCullough

6 Community Forest Model Our model includes: Community ownership Community participation in management Community benefits tied to community priorities Permanent Protection

7 Reasons for town ownership of forestland Conservation Water supply protection Recreation Education Investment = Community Development

8 Benefits for the Forest Local stable ownership Long-term sustainable stewardship Habitat protection and connectivity Slowing fragmentation Conserved forever

9 Benefits for the People Revenue generation Education of tomorrow s stewards Social coming together building community Traditional open access

10 Process

11 Critical for Success Community support & leadership Project reflects conservation AND community Time, timing, and patience Support & assistance

12 Establishing a Town Forest (RSA 31: ) By the legislative body town meeting or city council Encourage proper management of natural resources Multiple uses Consistent with forest management program, restrictions, regulations

13 Oversight of Town Forests (RSA 31:112 ) Determined by legislative body 1. Conservation Commission powers to acquire conservation land 2. Forestry Committee 3 to 5 members 3 year terms no powers to acquire more land vote of governing body

14 Role of Board of Selectmen in Town Forests (RSA 41:11 a) No authority in management of town forests Can and should communicate Support budget requests Support and approve acquisition of town forest wnandcity/article/255

15 Forest Maintenance Fund Proceeds from town forest placed in fund Allowed to accumulate year to year May raise other funds as necessary Annual appropriation require warrant article approval (RSA 31:113)

16 Permanent Protection of Town Forests Town forests not permanently protected Legislative body can withdraw whole or part Conservation easements Ledge Pond Town Forest

17 Goals and objectives Resource inventory Maps and draft plan Recommendations for action Citizen engagement Final plan and implementation Professional assistance Stewardship

18 Managing for Forest Products

19 Managing for Recreation

20 Habitat. Managing for Wildlife

21 Protecting Water Quality

22 Educational Resource

23 Musquash Conservation Area Londonderry

24 Barrington Three parcels Different priorities Different levels of uses

25 13 Mile Woods - Errol 7,100 acres Funding NMTC, private bank Timber & River focus Sustainable $ 100,000 expected annual revenue

26 Milan Heritage timber, wildlife Local control of management Funding Open Space Institute, U.S. F.S. CF program Landscape/habitat connectivity focus

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28 Trout Pond - Freedom 2660 acres Ossipee Watershed part of the largest and deepest stratified drift aquifer in the state Aquifer is vulnerable due to porous soils Critical recharge area

29 People come here for beautiful forests and clean water; if we don t take care of these, who will come? --Bill Freedman, Errol, NH

30 Julie Renaud Evans Karen Bennett Nhwood.org Photo Credits Jerry Monkman/EcoPhotography Ned Therrien Dartmouth College NFC staff