PRLC Projects: Our Woodland’s Health
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In our spring 2009 newsletter we introduced a plan to manage our forest growth and health by developing a forest management plan for our largest preserve- the 73 acres of the Clark Preserve located off Autumn Ridge Road. In June, Forester Andy Hubbard of the New York Watershed Council conducted what he termed a ‘physical’ of the woodlands to create a grid-type model of forest composition. (Video was taken of this informational walk by PRLC board members and is being developed into a series of educational vignettes to appear on our website.)
Since then, Andy has been working to develop a plan of action which includes selective thinning of pole sapling and protection of larger trees such as oaks to increase sun, water and other nutrients throughout the woods. Doing this will increase the survivability of identified trees and provide, over the longer term, a healthier habitat both for tree diversity, shrub and understory, (acknowledging of course that deer browse must be managed) and the critters who depend on them.
The PRLC has been awarded a grant in the amount of $1019.70 through the Watershed Agricultural Council in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service and the NYS Department of Environmental Protection for the completion of this plan by September 2010. Landowners should be aware that funding is available to private landowners with parcels of significant size to fund action plans prepared by certified foresters. (Please see our website and the spring 2009 newsletter for the introductory article on this project).