restoring the mighty oak in illinois - child development...

IllinoisForestryDevelopmentCouncil CollegeofAgriculturalSciences–MailCode4416-1205LincolnDrive–Carbondale,IL92901Phone:(618)453-3341*Web:http://ifdc.nres.illinois.edu FORIMMEDIATERELEASE:January7,2017Contact:Mr.BillGradle,Director,IFDC(217)840-6086

RestoringtheMightyOakinIllinoisCarbondale,IL-Forthoseforestlandownerswhoseforestlandisin37designatedcounties(seemap),therecurrentlyisanopportunitytocompletesomebadlyneededoakrestorationwork.“TheOak-Hickoryforesttypehasbeendegradedoverthelastfiftyyears,”accordingtoDr.JimZaczek,ChairoftheIllinoisForestryDevelopmentCouncil(IFDC).The29-memberstateforestrycouncil,whosetaskitistoevaluatetheIllinoisForestResource,reportstheirfindingstotheIllinoisStateLegislature.Zaczeksaid,“ThecounciltookthetrackofworkingwithtwelveotherforestrygroupsandagenciesandappliedthroughtheUnitedStateDepartmentofAgriculture’sRegionalConservationPartnershipProgram(RCPP).TheIFDC,asthelead,secured$2milliontofund5forestmanagementpracticesoverthenextfiveyears,toimprovetheOak-Hickoryhabitat.”Thosespecificpractices,includedinaForestManagementPlan,include:

~ForestStandImprovement~BrushManagement~HerbaceousWeedControl~PrescribedBurning~Tree/ShrubSitePreparation~Tree/ShrubEstablishment

“Thedeclineinoakregenerationistheresultoffiresuppression,impactsofinvasiveherbs,shrubs,vines,andtrees.We’veseenalackofappliedmanagementstrategiestoaddresssoilhealth,waterqualityandsoilerosionissuesonprivateforestland.Theplansareouttherebutweneedtoseethoseplansputintoplace,”saysIFDCDirectorBillGradle.BothZaczekandGradlearecertainthisprojectcanimpactIllinoisforestlandinapositivewaybecauseallapplicantsforthespecialfundscompetewithotherswhoseekthesamefunds.“Soforestryplansarerankedagainstotherforestryplans,“addsGradle.ThisRCPPprojectleveragesfundsandservicesfromUSDAwiththoseofseveralorganizations,includingSouthernIllinoisUniversity,UofIExtensionForestry,USForestService,ILDepartmentofNaturalResources,TheMortonArboretum,andtheIllinoisForestryAssociation.Totakeadvantageofthisspecialopportunity,interestedownersofforestlandshouldsubmitanapplicationtotheirlocalUSDAServiceCenterbythecutoffdatesofJanuary20andMarch17,2017.YouareremindedthatthoseinterestedintheEnvironmentalQualityIncentivesProgram(EQIP)cansubmitanapplicationtotheirlocalServiceCenterofficeatanytimethroughouttheyear.SignuptodayorvisityourlocalUSDAServiceCenter.