Forest Stewardship Plan Overview

1
Forest Stewardship PlanOverview
2
Forest Stewardship

• Caring for and managing forest resources and
  functions, and utilization to insure forest
  health, usefulness, and enjoyment now and in the
  future.

3
Goals

• Healthy, diverse native forest
• Habitat for wide variety of wildlife
• Showcase current and future generations
• Increase community awareness and use
• Integration with other properties

4
Strategy

• Regularly monitor and measure forest health
• Allow natural disturbances to occur in the forest
  whenever possible
• Provide and promote educational opportunities
• Seek economic opportunities that help us achieve
  our goals while not compromising them.
• Work closely with the City of Maple Valley
• Leverage Lake Wilderness Park
• Pursue research and study grants
• Establish sources for volunteers focused on the
  forest

5
Proposed Tasks

• Thin forest
• Replant conifers, Garry oaks, shrubs, plants
• Remove noxious weeds
• Put up birdboxes
• Remove fence along eastern boundary
• Add interpretive signs
• Widen trails, add new trail
• Improve steps
• Add outreach activities
• Review fire protection
• Investigate dry creek

6
Ecological Thinning Project
2008
2006
2007
Ecological Thinning Activities
Thin Forest
Review with Community/ City Council
OK
Stop
Stop
Stop
Stop
3/1
6/1
9/1
12/31
3/1
9/1
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Ecological Thinning Risks

• Lack of experience/knowledge
• City/county/DNR does not approve
• Forest damaged by thinning
• Cost not covered by timber sale
• Replanting doesnt take
• Windthrow subsequent to thinning
• Adverse public reaction
• Forest not useable for extended period
• Timber company does not perform per contract

8
Risk Management

• Plan reviewed by KC forester
• Walk through by DNR pathologist
• Reviewed similar site
• Probable use of consultant
• Thinning protocol to be reviewed
• KC forester
• Consultant
• Arboretum personnel or consultant on-site during
  logging

9
Conclusion

• Stewardship plan provides roadmap to healthy,
• well-utilized forest
• Plan approved by Arboretum Board
• Full plan available on the web
• Plan is adaptable
• Feedback requested