Workshop on Forestry Plans June 22
On Saturday, June 22, 2002 at 10:00 AM, the Kickapoo Woods Cooperative will sponsor a workshop called "Elements of Forest Management Plans" in the Lion's Shelter at Beauford Anderson Park in Soldiers Grove. A forest management plan articulates long-term goals for the land and maps out the steps to be taken to reach those goals. The intention of the workshop is to give landowners information to help them work on writing their own plans, and/or collaborate effectively with foresters so that the woodlot owner's goals are integrated into the plan.
Several different types of plans can be written for a property, and the presenters will describe what's included in each, their differences and similarities. An MFL or Managed Forest Law plan entitles the landowner to significant tax reduction. A Stewardship plan may entitle the landowner to state cost-sharing grants for tree-planting, destruction of invasive species, and other practices that improve ecosystem health and value. Sometimes a short-term plan is drawn up to design some specific practices desired by the landowner. A Forest Stewardship Council plan enables the forest products to be certified as coming from a forest that is sustainably managed.
Participants will receive handouts outlining the elements of each type of plan so that they can develop goals and sketch out what kind of plan they want. At this workshop they will learn which aspects of natural resource planning are better accomplished with the expertise of professional foresters and naturalists. A followup workshop is planned
for October to introduce measuring and assessment techniques for forest resources. This data collection is important for plan development. The presenters will also take time to answer questions.
Presenting at the workshop will be Gary Harden, Crawford County DNR forester, and Fred Clark, owner and manager of Clark Forestry in Baraboo. Harden earned a Bachelor's of Natural Resource Management from UW-Stevens Point and has been Crawford County forester for 13+ years. Clark is one of two foresters in Wisconsin accredited to certify
sustainably-managed forests according to the Forest Stewardship Council standards, and earned his Master's degree in Forestry at UW-Madison in 1992.
KWC will provide coffee and light refreshments, and participants are welcome to bring a sack lunch if they desire. A table will be set up with books, brochures, and articles about forestry and related topics.
Cost for the workshop is $10 for KWC members, $15 for nonmembers. For more information or to sign up, contact KWC coordinator Paul Bader at 608-625-2515 (domehome@mwt.net). The Lions Club shelter is at the
northwest end of the park along the Kickapoo River.
The Kickapoo Woods Cooperative's mission is to provide forestry education, management and marketing services to residents of the Kickapoo valley and neighboring watersheds that will improve the forestry resource for the region.
This event will provide useful information for landowners who are ready to take practical steps to improve their wooded and natural areas.
