Forest Management | Land Stewardship
Managing forests for health, productivity, diversity, and resiliency
Forest Management | Land Stewardship
Managing forests for health, productivity, diversity, and resiliency
SERVICES
Forest Management Plans
Water Quality Compliance
Water Quality Compliance
We specialize in the creation of comprehensive forest management plans to meet NYS RPTL-480a standards and VT Use Value Appraisal requirements. We have experience writing forest management plans for a wide range of landowners including municipalities, non-profit NGO's, community forests, working farms, and family forest owners. Our plans
We specialize in the creation of comprehensive forest management plans to meet NYS RPTL-480a standards and VT Use Value Appraisal requirements. We have experience writing forest management plans for a wide range of landowners including municipalities, non-profit NGO's, community forests, working farms, and family forest owners. Our plans are always tailored to meet your specific goals and objectives.
Water Quality Compliance
Water Quality Compliance
Water Quality Compliance
Healthy forests are essential for clean water. We believe that planning for the protection of streams, wetlands, and other waters is an integral aspect of forest management. With our extensive experience implementing water-quality protection measures we can work to ensure your forest management activities are in compliance with NYS Best Management Practices for Protecting Water Quality.
Timber Harvesting
Water Quality Compliance
Forest Boundary Marking
Timber harvesting is only one aspect of forest management, but can achieve many goals and objectives. Whether you are looking to create more structural diversity in your forest, promote a more resilient species mix, improve wildlife habitat, or generate income, a timber harvest can achieve many objectives. We have the knowledge and experi
Timber harvesting is only one aspect of forest management, but can achieve many goals and objectives. Whether you are looking to create more structural diversity in your forest, promote a more resilient species mix, improve wildlife habitat, or generate income, a timber harvest can achieve many objectives. We have the knowledge and experience to plan your timber harvest and ensure you receive the best price for your timber.
Forest Boundary Marking
Forest Boundary Marking
Forest Boundary Marking
A well-marked boundary is your best protection against trespass and timber theft. For enrollees of NYS RPTL-480a, a well marked boundary is required for maintained eligibility. We highly recommend having your forest boundary properly marked at all times, and especially ahead of conducting any forest management activity.
GIS & GPS Mapping
Forest Boundary Marking
Ecological Management
We use advanced mapping software to create custom forest management maps for your property. Our maps can be built to meet your needs, and typically display political boundaries, significant natural features, forest types, road or trail systems. We can also correspond these maps directly to a forest management plan when applicable.
Ecological Management
Forest Boundary Marking
Ecological Management
Most conventional silvicultural activities can have a positive impact on the health, diversity, and resiliency of your forest. A growing number of landowners are also employing "ecological forestry" approaches to achieve additional restoration objectives. Many of our management plans and silvicultural treatments can incorporate ecological
Most conventional silvicultural activities can have a positive impact on the health, diversity, and resiliency of your forest. A growing number of landowners are also employing "ecological forestry" approaches to achieve additional restoration objectives. Many of our management plans and silvicultural treatments can incorporate ecological practices such as the addition of coarse woody material on the forest floor, or identification and preservation of legacy trees.
Projects
Large and Small Ownerships
Adapting to a Changing Environment
Adapting to a Changing Environment
Whether you have a few acres, or a few hundred acres, we have the expertise and experience to plan for the responsible management of your forest. We are currently working to implement demonstration-quality forest management practices on a 3,100 acre forest in Taconic Mountains of VT. Over the next 5 years Headwater Forestry will be overseeing the implementation of management projects on over 450 acres of this complex and dynamic property. With a focus on improving the health, diversity, and resiliency of this working forest, we are planning a variety of silvicultural treatments including single tree selection, group selection, shelterwood, and thinning. We will also be inventorying, mapping, and evaluating the extensive road system on this property, planning for any erosion control needs and improvements, and working to re-mark over 15 miles of boundary lines.
Adapting to a Changing Environment
Adapting to a Changing Environment
Adapting to a Changing Environment
We work quickly and efficiently to adapt to any situation and ensure your goals and objectives are achieved. During his tenure as Bennington County Forester, Headwater Forestry Founder, Cory Creagan was contacted by a Town regarding rapidly declining and dying trees on their municipal forestland. Cory worked quickly to draft a forest management plan and establish a responsible course of action for the 100 acre property. Preparations for a harvest of diseased and declining stems was soon underway. Individual trees were carefully selected for harvest, ensuring that healthy, vigorous trees would remain in the forest. Through a competitive bidding process overseen by Cory, the Town received over $65,000 for the planned harvest. Harvesting operations were underway by years end and were a total success. With diseased and declining stems removed, the excellent quality sugar maple, red maple, and yellow birch that now dominate the overstory of this healthy forest will flourish and experience improved growth.
Public Outreach and Education
Adapting to a Changing Environment
Public Outreach and Education
Forest management is a complex and nuanced endeavor. It is part science, part art, and frequently the subject of interpretation. At Headwater Forestry we believe public engagement and education should be an essential component of our work. Developing an understanding of what we do in the woods, and why, is beneficial for us, the public, and the planet. We have worked with non-profit organizations and municipalities to create demonstration sites where the public can see forestry in action, often through guided tours or interpretive signage. We have organized community projects where participants have learned the basics of forest management and harvested and milled local timber for renovations to a public library. Many of our projects have doubled as outdoor classrooms, creating learning experiences for students of all ages. We continue to look for opportunities that allow us to perform this important work.