Components of a Good Management Plan Mike Haasken, ODF, Tree School, March, 2012 Template by Nicole Strong OSU Extension Forestry Maps Assessments Action Plans Objectives Goals Pictures

Benefits of a Stewardship Plan Communication Tool Financial Incentives Programs Tax Benefits Document Management History Certification Programs (Tree Farm, SFI, FSC)

Components of a Plan Goals vs. Objectives Articulating Goals & Objectives Mapping Resource Inventory Writing Action Plans Pictures & Technical Information Forest Stewardship Plan

What’s a goal? Statement of intent; Big picture Very broad & general

Goals?

Goals Grow trees and produce income Enhance wildlife habitat Improve woodland roads Protect soil and water resources Improve Forest Health Maintain recreation opportunities Get family involved on property Pass property intact to next generation

What’s an objective? Statement of intent to accomplish goals SpecificDefines What? What? When? When? Where? Where? How much? How much?Example

Objectives?

Example Objectives Produce $10,000 in after-tax income each year for the next 5 years Develop 10 acres of black tail deer browse habitat within 7 years Rock roads throughout property within 15 years Convert 30 acre pasture to mixed conifer stand in 5 years

Inventory/Measurement Forest/Timber Resource Intensity varies from low (aerial photo interp.) to high (many plots, systematic sampling. Ideal is a few plots in each stand Stand identifier Acreage Vegetation type, tree species Site productivity, stand density Age Elevation, Seed zone Aspect, topography Tree/Stand condition Note wildlife habitat, roads, water, archeological, cultural and recreation resources

Forest Stewardship Plan Checklist Cover Page Introduction/Property History Landowner Goals &Objectives Maps/Woodland Description Forest Vegetation/Timber Fish/Wildlife Habitat Soils Roads and Access Water Resources Forest Health Integrated Pest Management Fire Plan Agroforestry/Range Invasive Species High Conservation Value Forests & Rare Species Special Sites: Archeological/Cultural, etc. RecreationAesthetic/Scenic Threatened/Endangered Species Forest Practice Rules Assistance Available Tax/Business Management Recommendations/Priorities Signature Page

After you have… Developed your maps Inventoried your resources Summarized your inventory data …it’s time to identify opportunitiesactionsconstraints opportunities, actions, and constraints

Matching Goals and Objectives with Needs and Opportunities Need/OpportunityThinned and Pruned

Conditions Problems Invasive Plants Invasive Plants 100% crown cover 100% crown cover Small crown ratios Small crown ratios Extensive deer browse Extensive deer browse Slumping road Slumping road Blocked fish passage Blocked fish passage Fence down Fence downOpportunities Escaped Christmas trees Stand ready to harvest Hunting area identified Good spring located Edible mushrooms Floral greenery Vacant field

Identifying Conditions Work from your unit summaries and plot notes Make a list for each unit Remember to check management goals and objectives

Management Actions What you need to do to fix a problem or take advantage of an opportunity Thin a stand Thin a stand Conduct a salvage/sanitation harvest Conduct a salvage/sanitation harvest Harvest mushrooms or floral greenery Harvest mushrooms or floral greenery Repair/improve a road segment Repair/improve a road segment Replace a stream crossing culvert Replace a stream crossing culvert Control unwanted vegetation Control unwanted vegetation Engage family/friends by having camping weekends Engage family/friends by having camping weekends

Identifying Actions Develop Action Plan Make a list for each unit/objective Consider your options Get help if needed Extension Forestry Agent Extension Forestry Agent Master Woodland Manager Master Woodland Manager ODF Stewardship Forester ODF Stewardship Forester Forestry Consultant Forestry Consultant

Constraints Things that will limit your ability to take action Lack of money Lack of money Lack of time Lack of time Lack of expertise Lack of expertise Poor health Poor health Laws/rules Laws/rules

Existing Condition Goals and Objectives Ecosystem Capability What is Possible? What is Allowed And What can I do? What do you Want? What do you Have? Factors that Determine your Management Options Constraints Regulatory & Personal

Range of Acceptability Existing Condition Goals and Objectives Ecosystem Capability Regulatory Constraints Management Options

Prioritize Identify the most critical action items for each stand/unit Create a prioritized action list for the property as a whole

Develop a Timeline Determine when each item should be completed. Priority Action Item ActionDate 1 Repair main Road Nov Control Scotchbroom May Thin Unit B Sept Harvest Unit C Sept 2007

Assign Responsibility Priority Action Item Action Date Work to be done by… 1 Repair main Road Nov 2006 Self – hand tools 2 Control Scotchbroom May 2008 Self – borrow backpack sprayer from Service Forester 3 Thin Unit B Sept 2006 Contract w/ logger 4 Harvest Unit C Sept 2006 Contract w/ logger

Final Result Contented Landowner Tree Farm or other Certification Forest Stewardship Future Forests