Maryland Woodland Stewards

Transcription

1 Maryland Woodland Stewards Improving Forest and Wildlife Habitat Through Education Jonathan Kays & Lyle Almond Forestry Extension Specialists Andrew Kling Forest Extension Assistant

2 What do most people know about natural resource management?

3 A Woodland Steward... Feels a sense of responsibility. Knows the opportunities. Is aware of the consequences of actions Is Guided By OBJECTIVES!

4 Who Owns Most of Maryland s Woodlands?

5 Woodland Situation in MD 76% of MD woodlands owned by private landowners 20% owned by landowners classified as farmers by USDA Average MD forest landowner owns 9.4 acres Traditional forest management decreasing with population density

6 2006 Family Forest Ownership - MD % of Total Acreage Catagories % Acres % Owners USDA Forest Service, 2006

7 Number of MD Private Forest Owners (1000 s) Percentage with 1 9 Acres of Forest # of Owners (x1000) % % 85% Year of Survey USDA Forest Service National Woodland Owners Survey 1977, 1989, 2006

8 Change in % Acreage of MD Private Forest Owners with 1-9 Acres of Forest % of Forest Acres Year of Survey USDA Forest Service Woodland Owners Survey 1977, 1989, 2006

9 Trend of Private Land Parcelization Challenges Traditional Forest Industry

10 Exploring the Myths of Private Woodland Owners Rural and Land Connected Anti-environmentalists Timber Oriented Pro-private Rights

11 Rural and Land Connected? Private Forest Owners are: Educated Aging Increasingly absentee Non-farming Less connected to the land

12 Objectives of Private Woodland Owners - PA Study Benefits Public Landowners Clean air Clean water Soil protection Wildlife habitat Timber production 20 27

13 Timber Oriented?

14 Landowner Categories Woodland Retreat Owners Supplemental Income Owners Working the Land Owners Uninvolved Owners

15 Percentage Owners by Category in MD Percentage of Owners Woodland Retreat Working the Land Supplemental Income Uninvolved Noticeably above national average Noticeably below national average

16 Own woodlands for beauty and recreational value Love nature and animals and appreciate the ecological values of woods Of all owner groups, lowest interest in forest products

17 Common Misconceptions! MWS Quiz True or False? Leaving woodlands alone is best for wildlife & forest health. Managing woodlands takes a lot of money and time. Many woodlands are too small for management.

18 Leaving the forest alone is best for wildlife, forest health, & biodiversity How to educate landowners information so they can make informed decisions!

19 Maryland Woodland Stewards Class of 2013 Teach how to use sound woodland stewardship practices to improve wildlife habitat and improve other forest benefits. Help others see the forest & wildlife potential & find professionals to help them.

20 Overall Reach of Program Since individuals with a total ownership of 69,040 acres have participated in the 3.5 training workshop and other followup activities. 74% remain engaged

21 History of the Program Known as the Coverts Project from Covert - a thicket for wildlife habitat Sponsored by The Ruffed Grouse Society 2007 name changed but program mission and objectives the same. Teaching woodland owners and managers how sound forest stewardship practices can result in healthier, more diverse, and more abundant wildlife

22 Basics of the Program Careful selection process 25 volunteers. Looking for engaged, interested and sharing applicants 3.5 day fall training workshop Combination of classroom and outdoor demonstration areas Provide knowledge of forest & wildlife management planning and how to share what you learn with others.

23 Classroom Field sites Small groups

24 Basics of the Program In return for the training Maryland Woodland Stewards agree to: Develop & implement a forest stewardship plan Commit to 40 hours of outreach to friends, neighbors, relatives, or others in their community to encourage forest stewardship. Be an advocate in their community in ways they feel they can be most effective

25 Key Concepts of Outreach Trained opinion leaders in a community are a credible source of information Neighbor Helping Neighbor Forest stewardship practices need to be seen to be understood Education Through Demonstration Limited resources are best leveraged by training and supporting volunteers

26 Making Informed Forest Management Decisions Using sustainable practices to improve wildlife habitat. Avoiding conflicts!

27 Avoid Highgrading Poor Harvest Practices

28 Resources We Provide Before Training Workshop Targeted to Larger Acreage Owners Use Professional Forestry Assistance Forest Resource Management: A Landowner s Guide to Getting Started

29 Targeted to Small Acreage Owners The Woods in Your Backyard: Learning to Create and Enhance Natural Areas Around Your Home * Self assessment guide anyone can use * Focus on creating natural areas and changing lawn to natural areas

30 Rationale Behind Maryland Woodland Stewards How and from whom people receive information (in this case forest & wildlife management) has a great impact on whether or not they take action

31 Sources of Communication For Private Landowners Public Forester Private Forester Friend, Neighbor Lit by mail Radio, TV

32 Relative Effect of Communication Source on Adoption of Woodlot Management Practices percent (%) Public Forester Private Forester Peers Mail Media Little or no effect Moderate effect Considerable effect

33 Who Disseminates New Ideas? Innovators: Venturesome Early Adopters: Respectible Early majority: Deliberate Late majority: Skeptical Laggards: Traditional

34 Bill Roosenberg Tree Farmer Coverts Cooperator Early Adopter

35 Annual Surveys of Volunteers 20 year averages Outreach 2,326 persons received forest/wildlife information on a one-to-one basis 63% organized forest or wildlife event 26% used the media 38% of cooperators reported others sought forestry assistance as a result of a contact them initiated.

36 Annual Surveys of Volunteers 20 year averages Volunteer Time Stewards contributed an average of 2,343 hour per year in education and outreach 39,830 hours during the life of the program Averaged 12,739 hours per year in management efforts on their property over the life of the program

37 How Do Cooperators Get Involved? Forestry organizations such as Tree Farm, Maryland Forestry Association, Forestry Boards Local community organizations Host tours & reaching out to friends, neighbors, and relatives in a number of ways.

38

39 What History Are YOU Writing?

40 Questions?