Posted by Leif Riddervold on January 25th, 2009

This was the theme of the 88th Annual Conference of the Appalachian Society of American Foresters (ApSAF), which took place January 21-29, 2009. We were pleased that the good work we are doing at Bundoran Farm prompted the ApSAF to invite us to speak at this meeting. Bob Baldwin and I were well received by the audience of approximately 250 forestry professionals for our presentation entitled “The Forester’s Role in Conservation Development”.

In today’s world where climate change and energy issues are at the forefront of society’s concerns, foresters and ecologist alike must learn about and help present solutions to resolve today’s problems concerning a changing planet. Foresters today are tasked with a realm of responsibilities that reach well beyond the traditional role of managing a forest for the highest economic return. Society is asking them to deliver upon a multi-objective management system that may include variables as far reaching as Carbon sequestration to maintaining biodiversity, recreational opportunities, and yes, resource extraction in the form of lumber, pulp, and renewable energy products. This must all be accomplished in a world where the management of forest land is becoming ever more difficult as larger forest tracts are increasingly being divided into smaller parcels, each with a different owner.

At Bundoran Farm we are demonstrating that low impact development can coexist with sustainable forestry management. While we have set aside a few hundred acres on Tom Mountain as a preserve that will be minimally managed (primarily invasive species eradication), and allowed to develop into old growth forest, other forest areas are being managed with multiple objectives in mind. Working in concert with our forester, Ches Goodall, we carefully orchestrate the management of these tracts to provide multiple uses of these lands for people, plants and wildlife, while maintaining the full integrity of the forest. Resources are extracted in a “worst first” approach, leaving the healthiest and strongest trees. We do, of course, leave plenty of “snag” trees (dead or hollow trees) for wildlife. This past year we managed approximately 65 acres in two tracts using this careful approach. The photo is of one of these areas, post harvest.

Our presentation to the ApSAF focused upon the structure of Bundoran Farm, and how it allows for this type of forestry management to continue, on a property that is being developed. We also discussed our management philosophy, emphasizing the need for foresters who can provide services that meet these goals. Generally, we believe that our strategy and operations are consistent with society’s needs and demands, both from the perspective of maintaining the ecological functions of a forest, and providing necessary products.

Filed under: Agriculture, Education and Inspiration, General, Nature/Environment