tom lautzenheiser, mass audubon regional scientist niacs ... · tom lautzenheiser, mass audubon...
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Forest Management for Bird Habitat & Climate AdaptationTom Lautzenheiser, Mass Audubon Regional Scientist
NIACS/FSG Forest Adaptation Webinar - May 21, 2020
Mass Audubon’s Wildlife Sanctuaries
Foresters for the BirdsIntegrating timber and songbird habitat management
Audubon Vermont
Elm Hill Wildlife SanctuaryBrookfield/North Brookfield
Attributes830 ac forest210 ac fields60 ac open wetland/water
Drumlin swarmRare/unusual plantsCold-water streamPriority natural community30+ vernal poolsGrassland/young forest birds
Invasive plantsInvasive invertebratesWhite-tailed deer
APR – includes forest products
1. Define goals and objectives2. Assess climate impacts and vulnerabilities3. Evaluate objectives considering climate impacts4. Identify adaptation approaches and tactics for implementation5. Monitor effectiveness of implemented actions
- Broad adaptation response – e.g. sustain ecosystem function- More specific action – e.g. maintain or restore riparian areas- Prescriptive actions tailored to site & objectives – e.g. certain BMPs
Elm Hill Forest Management Project
Forest management to achieve wildlife habitat and climate adaptation goals
Goals• Enhance forest’s structural and
compositional diversity to increase forest’s ability to tolerate climate change
• Manage invasive plants to safeguard forest’s integrity
• Demonstrate sustainable forestry practices that increase habitat quality for species of conservation concern
Methods• A variety of forest management
treatments • Invasive plant control efforts• Reserves in appropriate areas
Management TargetsTransition Hardwood ForestInvasive SpeciesYoung Forest Bird HabitatSensitive Natural Communities
Goal: Invasive plant management to maintain good forest health, improve wildlife habitat, and maintain productivity in agricultural areas.
Objective: Manage priority invasive plant infestations in/near proposed timber harvest sites through appropriate techniques, including mechanical and chemical methods. (2018-2026)
Objective: Map and prioritize invasive plant infestations on project site. (2018 – complete)
Goal: Promote the development of a structurally and compositionally diverse forestObjective: Create 70-acre young forest habitat around existing agricultural fieldsObjective: Enhance structural complexity of closed canopy forest through treatments
on 80 – 90 acresObjective: Restore natural forest cover on pine plantation and old-field pine areas
through clearing and facilitating natural regeneration
• Follow best management practices with respect to soils, hydrology, and wetlands and waterways when conducting forestry activities
Structural Complexity Enhancement (10-15 acres)
Selective cutting, various intensity (80 acres)
Clearing, with some retention, to create young forest (70 acres)
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation – New England Forests and Rivers FundUSDA Natural Resource Conservation Service – Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)MassWildlifeDepartment of Conservation & RecreationBay State Forestry