enviva/endowment working bottomland hardwood forest
TRANSCRIPT
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Enviva/EndowmentWorkingBottomlandHardwoodForestWorkshopMeetingReport
ExecutiveSummary InFebruary2016EnvivaHoldingsLP(Enviva)andtheU.S.EndowmentforForestryandCommunities(Endowment)initiatedanefforttoidentifyandengagepartnerstoco-createactionablerecommendationsforprivatelandownersandcompaniesprocuringwoodfromworkingbottomlandhardwoodforests/wetlandforests(hereinafterreferredtocollectivelyasbottomlandhardwoodforests),inordertoenhanceecologicalattributesandbenefitsofworkingforestsinNorthCarolinaandVirginia.Bybringingtogethermultiplestakeholders,theobjectivewastocreatescience-based,practical,andeconomicallyviableforestmanagementstrategieswithabroadbaseofsupportamongpractitioners.Inaddition,EnvivaandtheEndowmentsoughttoidentifyideasandcollaborativesolutionsthatwouldencourageprivateforestlandownerstomanageandprotecttheseforestsforthelongterm.Whencomplete,therecommendationswereintendedtobuilduponbenefitscurrentlyprovidedbytheexistingBestManagementPractices(BMPs)designedtoprotectwaterquality.
Thisco-creationprocessbeganwithinterestedorganizationssubmittingExpressionsofInterest(EOIs)toprovideafoundationforthediscussionsdescribedintheMay2016Co-CreationWorkshopandsummarizedinthisreport.TheCo-CreationWorkshoptookplaceinRoanokeRapids,NorthCarolinafromMay10–May12andconvenedstakeholderswithexpertiseinmanagingbottomlandhardwoodforests,includinglandowners,foresters,Federalandstatenaturalresourcesagencies,universityscientists,conservationandlandtrustnon-governmentalorganizations(NGOs),andtimberharvesters.
PurposeandObjectives
Thepurposeofthemeetingwastocreatescience-basedforestmanagementandharvestingrecommendationsthatlandownerscouldemploy,inadditiontoexistingBMPsforprotectingwaterquality,toyieldaddedecologicalbenefitsinworkingbottomlandforests.Envivacommittedtoadoptspecificrecommendationsthatfititsobjectivesandsphereofinfluencewhile,alongwiththeEndowment,providingthelearningsfromtheworkshoptootherlandownersandprocuringorganizations.
Thethreeobjectivesforthesessionwereasfollows:
1. Todevelopasetofforestmanagementrecommendationstoenhancetheenvironmentalandconservationattributesofbottomlandhardwoodforeststhat:
• Arebasedonthebestscienceavailable;• Willimproveecologicaloutcomesformanagedbottomlandhardwoodforests;• Arepracticalforalandownerorprocuringorganizationtounderstandandimplement;and,
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• Areeconomicallyviableforlandownersand/orprocuringorganizations.
2. Todevelopasetofrecommendationsonwaystoincentivize,support,andencouragethesystemofactorsinlandmanagementtovoluntarilymanageandenhanceecologicalattributesoftheseforestsovertime,irrespectiveofwhomaybethelandownerorcustomerfortheirwood.
3. Toidentifymajorinformationgapsandresearchneededinordertobetterunderstandforestmanagementimpactsandoptionsinworkingbottomlandhardwoodforests.
Theworkshopproducedanumberofmanagementandimplementationrecommendationsandidentifiedresearchgaps.Eachisdescribedingreaterdetailinthisreport.EnvivaandtheEndowmentcommittedtoreviewtheresultsoftheworkshopandtoprovidetheopportunityforcontinuedinputfromparticipantsthroughouttheco-creationprocess.
Managementrecommendationsincludedforestpracticesthatwouldimproveworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestconditionswithrespecttoissuessuchasenhancementofhabitatforbiodiversity,standregeneration,andconservationofspecialhabitatsandecotypes.Implementationrecommendationsoutlinedideasonhowtosupportlandowners,foresters,andtimberharvesterstovoluntarilyadoptthemanagementrecommendationsandtobettermanagetheseforesttypesformultipleobjectives,includingbiodiversityandlong-termsustainability.
Additionally,participantsidentifiedanumberofinformationgapsrelatedtoworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestmanagementwhereresearchcouldimproveforestmanagementrecommendations.
ParticipantsalsooutlinedaHarvestChecklisttoolthat,withfurtherdevelopment,couldprovideguidanceontheappropriatenessofharvestataspecificsitebasedonavarietyofweightedfactors.
Lastly,participantsreviewedandprovidedfeedbackonthespecialecotypes(baldcypress/tupeloswamps,Atlanticwhitecedarstands,naturalpocosinsandCarolinabays)whichEnviva,inconsultationwiththeEndowment,hadpreviouslycommittedtoprotectincooperationwithprivatelandowners.
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EXECUTIVESUMMARY..........................................................................................................................1PURPOSEANDOBJECTIVES.............................................................................................................................1
BACKGROUND......................................................................................................................................4CO-CREATIONPROCESS.................................................................................................................................5WORKSHOPCONTEXT-SETTING.......................................................................................................................7
DEFININGTHEOPPORTUNITIESFORIMPROVEMENT............................................................................8PROCESS.....................................................................................................................................................8
Table1:RefinedForestManagementEnvironmentalandConservationOpportunityStatements.....9Table2:MajorInformationGaps.......................................................................................................10Table3:ImplementationChallengesIdentifiedFromPre-WorkshopInterviews...............................11Table4:TopImplementationChallengesAsVotedOnByParticipants.............................................12
ENVISIONINGTHEFUTURE.................................................................................................................12
CO-CREATINGTHESOLUTIONS...........................................................................................................13FORESTMANAGEMENTENVIRONMENTALANDCONSERVATIONRECOMMENDATIONS............................................13
Table5:VoluntaryForestManagementRecommendations..............................................................14IMPLEMENTATIONRECOMMENDATIONS.........................................................................................................17
Table6:ImplementationRecommendations.....................................................................................18Table7:ResearchOutline...................................................................................................................21Table8:HarvestChecklistOutline......................................................................................................22Table9:SpecialEcotypeandHabitatCriteria....................................................................................22
NEXTSTEPS........................................................................................................................................24
APPENDIX1–LISTOFINVITEDORGANIZATIONS................................................................................25
APPENDIX2–LISTOFATTENDEES......................................................................................................27
APPENDIX3–ADDITIONALRESOURCESIDENTIFIEDDURINGTHEWORKSHOP...................................31
APPENDIX4–WORKSHOPTOOLS......................................................................................................34TableofFiguresFIGURE1:THEBOTTOMLANDHARDWOODFORESTCO-CREATIONPROCESS.................................................................................6TABLE1:REFINEDFORESTMANAGEMENTENVIRONMENTALANDCONSERVATIONOPPORTUNITYSTATEMENTS...................................9TABLE2:MAJORINFORMATIONGAPS.................................................................................................................................10TABLE3:IMPLEMENTATIONCHALLENGESIDENTIFIEDFROMPRE-WORKSHOPINTERVIEWS.............................................................11TABLE4:TOPIMPLEMENTATIONCHALLENGESASVOTEDONBYPARTICIPANTS...........................................................................12TABLE5:VOLUNTARYFORESTMANAGEMENTRECOMMENDATIONS..........................................................................................14TABLE6:IMPLEMENTATIONRECOMMENDATIONS..................................................................................................................18TABLE7:RESEARCHOUTLINE.............................................................................................................................................21TABLE8:HARVESTCHECKLISTOUTLINE................................................................................................................................22TABLE9:SPECIALECOTYPEANDHABITATCRITERIA................................................................................................................22
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Background AboutEnvivaHoldingsLP:Enviva,theworld’slargestproducerofwoodpellets,hasrecentlycommittedtoseveralinitiativestopromotesustainableworkingforestswithinareaswhereitprocureswoodintheNorthCarolinaandVirginiaarea.Envivadoesnotownforestland;rather,itpurchaseswoodforitsproductionlargelyfromworkingforestsownedbyprivateforestlandownersorintheformofresidualsfromsawmillswithinitsoperatingarea.
Envivaoperatesthreewood-pelletproductionfacilitieswithintheNorthCarolina-Virginiacoastalplain,aregioncomprisedof6millionacresofforestsofalltypesthathavebeenharvestedforavarietyofwoodproductsforcenturies.About20%oftheregioniscomprisedofworkingbottomlandhardwoodforests.Thesearelow-lying,marshyareasnearriversandstreamsthatarehometotreespeciessuchascypress,gumandoakthatofferawidevarietyofenvironmentalbenefitsandcontainsomeofthemostuniqueplantandwildlifecommunitiesintheAtlanticcoastalplain.
Toadvancetheireffortstoencouragesustainablemanagementoftheseforests,Envivahastakenthefollowingsteps:
1. InDecember2015thecompanyestablishedtheEnvivaForestConservationFundwhichisadministeredbytheEndowment–a$5million/10-yearefforttoprotectworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestsinNorthCarolinaandVirginia;
2. EnvivaimmediatelybeganworkingwithprivatelandownersfromwhomitprocureswoodtoprotectdiscreteecologicalelementsincludingthespecialecotypesreferredtointheExecutiveSummary:baldcypress/tupeloswamps,Atlanticwhitecedarstands,andnaturalpocosinsandCarolinabays;
3. EnvivaandtheEndowmentareco-fundingaprocess(thisworkshop)toidentifyadditionalscience-basedrecommendationsthatanycompanyand/orlandownercouldemploybeyondBestManagementPracticestoprotectwaterqualitythatwouldyieldaddedecologicalbenefitsinworkingbottomlandhardwoodforests.
TolearnmoreaboutEnviva’sholisticapproach,visitwww.envivaforestfund.org.
AbouttheEndowment:TheEndowmentisanot-for-profit,publiccharity.ItwasestablishedSeptember21,2006,attherequestofthegovernmentsoftheU.S.andCanadainaccordancewiththetermsofthe2006SoftwoodLumberAgreementbetweenthetwocountries.
TheEndowmentworkscollaborativelywithpartnersinthepublicandprivatesectorstoadvancesystemic,transformative,andsustainablechangeforthehealthandvitalityofthenation’sworkingforestsandforest-reliantcommunities.Endowmentleadersoftenstatethisinshorthandas:1)keepingworkingforestsasforests;and2)advancingfamily-wagejobsinruralforestcommunities.
TheEndowmentoperatesundera“theoryofchange”thatfocusesonworkinthreeareas:retainingandrestoringhealthyworkingforests;promotingandcapturingmultiplevaluestreams;andenhancingcommunitycapacity,collaboration,andleadership.TolearnmoreabouttheEndowmentvisitwww.usendowment.org.
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Co-CreationProcess Challengesandpotentialsolutionstoenhancingtheconservationandenvironmentalvalueswithinworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestarecomplexandinsomecasesnotwell-understood.Forthatreason,EnvivaandtheEndowmentinitiatedaco-creationprocess(depictedinFigure1)whichenlistedawidevarietyofexpertiseandperspectivestohelpdefinetheopportunitiesanddesignarangeofsolutionsthatwouldworkeffectivelyinpractice.Additionally,byincludingabroadrangeofstakeholderstocreatesolutions,theyhopedtoidentifypotentialpartnerstohelpadvancecommonobjectives.
TheprocessbeganwithajointlyissuedrequestforExpressionsofInterest(EOIs)inFebruary2016.Thisrequestwenttoawiderangeoforganizationswithexpertiseinsouthernforestmanagementandconservation,andwasintendedtoidentifypartnersinterestedinco-creatingrecommendationsthatprivatelandownersand/orcompaniesprocuringwoodfromworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestscouldusetoenhancetheecologicalattributesandbenefitsofworkingforestsinNorthCarolinaandVirginia.
SpecificallyfortheEOIs,theEndowmentandEnvivarequestedproposedsolutionsthat:
• Werebasedonthebestscienceavailable;• Wouldimproveecologicaloutcomesformanagedbottomlandhardwoodforests;• Incentivizedlandownerstovoluntarilymanageandenhancetheirforestsovertime,irrespective
ofwhothelandownerisorthecustomerfortheirwood;• Werepracticalforalandownerorprocuringorganizationtounderstandandimplement;• Wereeconomicallyviableforlandownersand/orprocuringorganizations.
Additionally,theEndowmentandEnvivasoughtpartnerswithatleastoneormoreofthefollowingattributes:
• Expertiseinappliedconservationscienceofsouthernworkingbottomlandhardwoodforests,sensitiveecotypes,wildlifehabitat,andriparianzones;
• Expertiseinhydrology;• Expertiseindevelopingand/orimplementingprivateforestconservationincentiveprograms;• Expertiseandexperienceinengagingprivateforestownersonsustainableforestmanagement
practices;• Expertiseandpracticalexperienceinforestmanagement,silvicultureandharvestingtechniques
insouthernworkingbottomlandhardwoodforests;• Experienceinleveragingfundingorin-kindsupportfromothersources;• Useofknowledgeandtoolsappliedinsustainableforestmanagementandconservation;• Abilitytoincreasetheadoptionofproveninnovationsinsuchawaythatsystems(aroundthe
problem)cansustainthedesiredresultswithminimalexternalinputs;• Stronglikelihoodofachievingasubstantialimpact;and/or
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• Enhancementofongoingworktosustainablymanagesouthernworkingbottomlandhardwoodforests.
InadditiontotherequestforEOIs,thepartnersinvitedawiderangeofparticipantswithdemonstratedinterestinthemanagementofsouthernworkingbottomlandhardwoodforeststoparticipateinaco-creationworkshop.SeeAppendix1foracompletelistoforganizationsinvitedtoparticipateintheco-creationprocess.
Inthenextstepoftheco-creationprocess,thefacilitationteamconductedpre-workshopinterviewswiththeparticipantsinordertoestablishabaselineunderstandingofthedifferentperspectivesandideaswithrespecttochallengesandsolutionstoenhancingconservationandenvironmentalvaluesofbottomlandhardwoodforests.Thefacilitationteamconducted26interviewsessionsinall,andusedtheinformationgathered,alongwiththeEOIs,toframetheworkshopagenda.
Finally,aco-creationworkshopwasconvened,whichenabledparticipantswithabroadrangeofexpertise,perspectives,andintereststodefinetheproblemsandopportunities,avisionforthefuture,andpotentialsolutions.Theworkshopprocessdetailsandresultsaredescribedthroughoutthisreport.
Figure2:TheBottomlandHardwoodForestCo-CreationProcess
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WorkshopContext-Setting ToensureparticipantshadasharedunderstandingofthecurrentstateofworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestsinNorthCarolinaandVirginia,anumberofcontext-settingactivitieswereconductedoverthecourseofthe3-dayworkshop.Theworkshopbeganwithafieldtourtohelpparticipantsseerelevantforestmanagementpracticesinthefield.Italsoprovidedparticipantsanopportunitytohearaboutspecificlandmanagementexamples,toseethestateofregenerationonspecifictractsofland,andtobetterunderstandtheimportanceofminimizingdisruptionstonaturalhydrologicregimes.Unfortunatelyswollenstreamsresultingfromrecentheavyrainspreventedtheentireplannedtourfrombeingcarriedout.
Followingthefieldtour,EOIsubmitterssharedtheirsolutionconceptswiththeotherparticipants.Thedayconcludedwithaseriesofcontext-settingpresentationson:
• VitalIssues:Participantsdevelopedashortlistofthemostimportantissuestheyneededadditionalbackgroundonbeforetheworkshopbeganthefollowingday.
• StateoftheForest:TheUSDAForestServiceSouthernResearchStationdescribedthe“Statusandtrendsofworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestsinthemid-Atlanticregion.”
• TheForestGuild’sFieldReport:TheForestGuilddiscussed“Issues,threats,andconservationconcernsinbottomlandhardwoodforestsofthesoutheasternUnitedStates.”
• InterviewThemeSynopsisandanOverviewofOpportunitiesforImprovement:ThefacilitationteamreviewedthethemesresultingfromtheinterviewswithspecificattentiongiventotheOpportunitiesforImprovementidentifiedbymeetingparticipants.
Day2context-settingactivitiesincludedpresentationsonthefollowingtopics:
• Enviva’sPerspective:IncludinginsightsintoEnviva’smotivationsforinitiatingthisprocessincollaborationwiththeEndowment,statisticsaboutEnviva’ssourcingbasedonanumberofdifferentfactors,andanoverviewofthekindsofinputEnvivawashopingtosolicitthroughtheco-creationprocess.
• TheNorthCarolinaForestService’sRoleinBestManagementPracticesandForest
Management:Includingapplicableforestryregulations,statisticsoncomplianceratesandhelpfulreferencematerials.
• TheVirginiaDepartmentofForestryWaterResourcesProgram:Includinginformationaboutthedepartment,itsroleineducation,inspection,andenforcement,andstatisticsaboutthestateofforestmanagementinVirginia.
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DefiningtheOpportunitiesforImprovement
Process
Thefacilitationteamusedinformationgleanedfrompre-workshopinterviewsandEOIstocreateadraftlistofopportunitiesidentifiedbyworkshopparticipantstoleadtobettermanagementofconservationandenvironmentalattributesofworkingbottomlandforest.Thefacilitatorsorganizedtheseopportunitiesintothefollowingthreecategories,inlinewiththethreeworkshopobjectives:
1. Forestmanagementimprovementsthatcouldenhancetheenvironmentalandconservationattributesofbottomlandhardwoodforests.
2. Majorinformationgaps,thatiffilled,wouldimprovetheforestmanagementrecommendations.3. Waystoincentivize,support,andencouragethesystemofactorsinlandmanagementto
voluntarilymanageandenhanceecologicalattributesoftheseforestsovertime.
Thefacilitationteamsharedthisdraftlistofopportunitieswiththeparticipantsonthefirstdayoftheworkshopandinvitedparticipantstothinkaboutthelistovernightandcomebackwithquestionsandreactions.
Onthesecondday,thefacilitationteamdividedparticipantsintosmallergroups,eachcomprisedofamixoforganizationsandperspectives.Thefacilitationteamrandomlyassignedthedraftforestmanagementenvironmentalandconservationopportunitystatementstothesesmallergroupsinordertodiscussandrefinethem.Throughaseriesofexercisesthatallowedforsmallgroupdiscussionandmultipleroundsofsmall-groupandplenaryfeedback,participantsrefinedandreframedtheirassignedopportunitystatementstobeimpactful,actionable,andamoreaccuratearticulationoftheissueasperceivedbytheparticipantsasawhole.Table1inthe“OpportunityStatement”sectionprovidesthefinalrevisedopportunitystatements.ThesestatementswerethebasisfordevelopingthevoluntaryforestmanagementrecommendationsasdescribedinTable5ofthe“ForestManagementEnvironmentalandConservationRecommendations”section.
Thefacilitatorsthenaskedparticipantstoreviewthelistofmajorinformationgapsidentifiedfrompre-workshopinterviewsandEOIs(seeTable2),thatiffilled,wouldimprovetheforestmanagementrecommendations.Thoseparticipantsself-identifyingasresearchersvotedonthehighestpriorityinformationgapresultingintheselectionof“Longtermresultsonregenerationandproductivityofsitesharvestedinstandingwater.”ThisinformationgapwasthefocusofaresearchproposaloutlinedescribedinTable7ofthe“ImplementationRecommendations”section.
Theparticipantsthenreviewedthedraftlistofopportunitiesidentifiedfrompre-workshopinterviewsandEOIs(seeTable3)thatrelatedto“implementationchallenges”inincentivizing,supporting,and
encouragingthesystemofactorsinlandmanagementtovoluntarilymanageandenhancethe
ecologicalattributesoftheseforestsovertime.Eachparticipantvotedfortheonechallengefromthelisttheyfeltwasmostsignificant,resultinginthemajorityofthevotesgoingtothefourissuesidentifiedinTable4ofthe“OpportunityStatements”section.Theseissueswereusedasthebasisofdeveloping
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theimplementationrecommendationsasdescribedinTable6ofthe“ImplementationRecommendations”section.
OpportunityStatements:Usingtheprocessdescribedintheprevioussection,theparticipantsdevelopedthefollowingopportunitystatements.Aftertheworkshop,EnvivaandtheEndowmentcategorizedtheseopportunitiesasfollows:
• Stand-level--whereanindividuallandownercantakeunilateralactiontoaddress.• Landscape-level–wheretheissuerequiresmultiplelandownersandstakeholderstotake
action.
Table1:RefinedForestManagementEnvironmentalandConservationOpportunityStatements
Small
Group
ID#
FinalizedStatementFromWorkingGroups
Stand-LevelOpportunities
4 Ensureharvestingwhendoneinstandingwateryieldsdesiredregenerationandlimitedsiteimpacts.
5 ExistingBMPsdoagoodjobofprotectingwaterqualityandsomewildlifespecies.Developrecommendationsforlandownersandmanagerstoachieveobjectivesbeyondwaterquality.
8 Withrespecttospecialecotypes(baldcypress/tupeloswamps,Atlanticwhitecedarstands,andnaturalpocosinsandCarolinabays):whilemoreinformationisneededtoassessthepresenceandamountsofthesehabitattypesintheirnaturalconditionontheonehand,andtherangeofappropriatemanagementinterventionsthatarecompatiblewithprotectionoftheirnaturalcharacterontheother,individuallandownersandmanagersshouldidentifywaystoprotectthebestexamplesofthesetypesasadditionalinformationisgathered.Toaidownersandmanagers,cleardefinitionsofspecialhabitattypesthatfacilitateeasyidentificationonthegroundmustbedeveloped.
StandandLandscape-LevelOpportunities
1 Howdoesworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestmanagement(orthelackthereof)createtreeageclassandspeciesdistributionproblems?Howdoesitcreatewithin-standstructureproblems?Often,thisproblemofpoorstandstructuraldiversityiscreatedinpartbypasthighgradingorotherinappropriateharvestapplicationsandinpartduetothelandownernotbeingawareofoptionsorimpacts.Developtoolsforpractitionerstohaveapositiveeffectontreeageclassandspeciesdistributionproblemsintheregularcourseofbusiness.
2 Determinehowforestownersandmanagersmaintainorincreasetheamountofworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestsanddecreasefragmentation:
1. Throughafforestation–toapredeterminedobjective2. Bymaintainingahealthyageclassdistributionwithintracts
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Small
Group
ID#
FinalizedStatementFromWorkingGroups
3. Byidentifyingandprioritizingmanagement/protectionoflargerblocksDeterminethefollowingparametersaboutold-growthbottomlandhardwoodforests:":
1. Whatageorstandfeaturesdefineoldgrowth?2. Howmuchexists?Howmuchisdesired?3. Identifywaystoadvanceold-growthand/orold-growthstructure/characteristics
throughmanagement
3 Structuralcomplexitycanbeaddressedbothatthestand-andlandscape-level.Promoteadoptionofforestmanagementplansthatempowerlandownerswithinformationandoptionstoaddressstructuralcomplexitybeforeharvest.
6 Identifyspecificsiteswhereregenerationisnotoccurringandascertaincauses.Developmanagementandregenerationresponseswherepossibletoremediate.Whereharvestingcannotbedonewithconfidenceresultinginsuccessfulregeneration,harvestingshouldbedelayed.
7 Invasivespecies(plant,insect/disease,animal)arenegativelyimpactingworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestsandassociatedhabitat.Developprocessesandtoolstoidentifyareassubjecttothreatfrominvasivespeciesandproviderecommendationstolandownersandmanagersforwaystominimizerisk/impact.
Table2:MajorInformationGaps
Gaps
1 Howbesttopromotemanagementplansforfamilyforestownerships.
2 Synthesizeknowledgeaboutmanagingworkingbottomlandhardwood/wetlandforestsystems.
3 Meanstoteach/trainforestryprofessionalsaboutmanagingworkingbottomlandhardwoodhardwoods.
4 Howtoaddressshortageofprofessionalswithexpertiseinthesesystems.
5 Impactonorganicvs.mineralsoilswhenharvestinginstandingwater.
6 Longtermresultsonregenerationandproductivityofsitesharvestedinstandingwater.
7 DefiningthepointofdiminishingecologicalreturnsforwidthofStreamsideManagementZones(SMZ).
8 Determiningindividualwildlifespeciesrequirements(especiallyinSMZs).
9 Theimpactonregenerationtiming&speciescompositionwhenharvestingisdoneinstandingwater.
10 Thebenefitsandchallengesassociatedwithintermediatestandtreatments.
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11 Additionalinformationontheamountofcoursewoodydebris(CWM)thatadvancesecologicaloutcomes.
12 Factorsaffectingregenerationafterharvest.
13 Bestpracticestoprotecthydrologicfunction.
14 Meanstoimplementadaptivemanagementpracticesasnewinformationbecomesavailable.
Notethatstatement#6“Longtermresultsonregenerationandproductivityofsitesharvestedinstandingwater”receivedthemostvotes.
Table3:ImplementationChallengesIdentifiedFromPre-WorkshopInterviews
ImplementationChallenges
1 Improvedrangeofchoicesforharvestingsystemsandregenerationtreatmentswouldrequireeitherinvestmentsbyharvestersorcosts/reducedincometolandowners.
2 Lackofeducation,easy-to-access/useinformation,and/oraccesstoon-demand/just-in-timetechnicalexpertiseimpedesdecisionmakingbylandowners,managersandharvesters.
3 Existingsustainableforestrymanagementincentiveslackadequatedata/scienceresultinginaninabilitytoreachtherightpeople/actorsinwaysthatwillaltertheirpracticesandbehaviorstodemonstrablyimprovesustainability(i.e.,forestscienceandsocialscienceneedsandrecommendationsareunclearresultinginmisalignedincentiveprograms).
4 Lackofstreamlinedeasementinfrastructure.[limitsparticipationandadoption]
5 Lackofinnovativeoptionsforincreasingparticipationinsustainableforestmanagementpracticeslimitstheoverallpotentialimpact/successofthesepractices.
6 Lackofresourcesandsupportforadoptionofsustainableforestmanagementpractices.
7 Landtaxvaluationmitigatesagainstlandownerinterestsinmaintaininghabitat.
8 Lackofdiverse,robustmarketsforvarioustypesofwoodyieldsalackofmarketincentivestoretain/maintaindifferentecotypestocountercompetinglandusesandencroachment(urban/suburbandevelopment,agricultureetc.).
9 Forestersandtimberharvestersdon'talwayshavepropertraininginspecializedsilviculturalpracticeslikethoseforworkingbottomlandhardwoodforests.
10 Landownersdon'talwayshavegoodand/orlow-costsourcesofadviceonstate-of-thearttraininginbestsilviculturalpracticesespeciallyinworkingbottomlandhardwoodforests.
11 ItisoftendifficulttoconvincealandownerofthebenefitsofemployingBMPsmuchlessadvancedecologicaloutcomepractices.Manyjustwanttomaximizereturnsfromharvest.
12 Landownersandforestersarenotalwaysawareofsilviculturaloptionstoenhanceecologicaloutcomesinworkingbottomlandhardwoodforests,
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Table4:TopImplementationChallengesAsVotedOnByParticipants
Challenge# ImplementationChallenge
5 Lackofinnovativeoptionsforincreasingparticipationinsustainableforestmanagementpracticeslimitingtheoverallpotentialimpact/successofthesepractices.
8 Lackofdiverse,robustmarketsforvarioustypesofwoodyieldsalackofmarketincentivestoretain/maintaindifferentecotypestocountercompetinglandusesandencroachment(urban/suburbandevelopment,agricultureetc.).
11 ItisoftendifficulttoconvincealandownerofthebenefitsofemployingBMPsmuchlessadvancedecologicaloutcomepractices.Manyjustwanttomaximizereturnsfromharvest.
12 Landownersandforestersarenotalwaysawareofsilviculturaloptionstoenhanceecologicaloutcomesinworkingbottomlandhardwoodforests.
EnvisioningtheFutureInordertoencouragebig-picturethinkinginpreparationfordevelopingcreativesolutionstothechallengesidentifiedintheprevioussection,participantswereaskedtoreflectonthefollowingquestionanddescribetheiridealfuture:
WhatifSouthernworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestscouldbeecologicallydiverse,sustainable,andhighlyprofitable?Whatwouldthatlooklike?
Listedbelowisasummaryofthoseresponses:
• 100%oflandownershaveaforestmanagementplan• Landmanagers,procurementorganizationsand/ornaturalresourcesagencieshaveland
managementassistanceforestersavailabletohelplandowners• Snags,coarsewoodydebrisandtwo-fourlargetrees/acreareretainedafterharvest• Monitoringprogramsareinplacetoassessecologicalsuccessanddataissharedwith
stakeholdersandavailabletothegeneralpublic• Viablecarbonmarketsexisttosupportecologicalpractices• Reliable&diversewoodmarketsareavailableforallgradesoftrees–especiallylow-grade
material• Landownersgetmoreincomefrombiomassharvests• Foreststandintermediatetreatmentsareavailablethatareeconomicallyviable• Landownersreceiveapremiumorarepaidforthecostsofimplementingecologicalapproaches• Timberharvester&forestertrainingiswidelyavailabletoensuretheyareequippedwiththe
latestinformationincludingpracticestoenhanceecologicaloutcomes
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• Landowner-to-landownereducationprogramsareinplacetomotivatefamilymembers&neighbors(cascadingeffect)
• Hydrologicfunctiondrivesharvestregenerationdecisions• Age&sizeclassdiversityoccursacrossthelandscape• Standsandlandscapesarefreeofinvasivespecies• Regenerationisadequate&siteappropriate• Harvestinghasminimalsiteimpact• Naturalhydrologyisnotchangedbymanagement• Stockingandpropermanagementareincentivizedovertime
Co-CreatingtheSolutions
ForestManagementEnvironmentalandConservationRecommendations
Followingtheprioritizationofthelistofopportunitiestobettermanagebottomlandhardwoodforestsforenvironmentalandconservationvalues(seeTable1),participantsselectedtheopportunityforwhichtheyweremostinterestedindevelopingrecommendations.Theythenbrokeintosmallergroupsanddevelopedtheirideasinastructuredformat,usingtheworksheetfoundinAppendix4.Throughaseriesofsmall-tablerotationsandplenaryfeedbacksessions,thegroupsrefinedtheirrecommendations.
Table5summarizestherecommendationstheworkinggroupsdevelopedtoaddresstheopportunitiesforimprovementlistedinTable1(groupnumberscorrespondtotheOpportunityforImprovementlistedinTable1).Notethatparticipantsdidnotdeveloprecommendationsthroughastrictconsensusprocess,andmanyoftheserecommendationsneedtobefurtherdevelopedandvettedbeforebeingimplemented.
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Table5:VoluntaryForestManagementRecommendations
Group
ID#
Opportunityfor
Improvement
Recommendation
1 Standstructuraldiversity:
Howdoesworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestmanagement(orthelackthereof)createtreeageclassandspeciesdistributionproblems?Howdoesitcreatewithin-standstructureproblems?Often,thisproblemofpoorstandstructuraldiversityiscreatedbyhighgradingorotherinappropriateharvestapplicationsutilizedinpartduetothelandownernotbeingawareofoptionsorimpacts.Howcanpractitioners,inthecourseofregularbusiness,haveapositiveeffectonthisproblem?
• Inordertoaddresspastmanagementdecisions,improve/restoreaproductivestate,andprovidethelandownerwitharangeofoptionsincludingthoserelatedtoenhancingbiodiversity,harvesting/procurementorganizationsshouldlaunchanoutreachprogramtoengagewithlandownersintheirsphereofinfluence.Thefirststepistoadvocatethateverylandownerhasasite-appropriatemanagementplan.Suchplansshouldincludetherangeofmanagementoptionsfromnomanagementtointensivecultureaswellasintermediatetreatments.
• AllinvolvedwithlandownersshouldadvocatethatthelandowneremployaprofessionalConsultingForester(CF)toaidtheminachievingtheirobjectivesandtoserveastheiragenttoensurethatplansandobjectivesareimplementedasexpected.
• Harvesting/procuringorganizationsmustunderstandthelandowner’smanagementobjectivesandworktoadvancethoseobjectivestotheextentpracticalwiththeCFworkingtoensurethatthelandowner’swishesandallcontractualobligationsaremet.
• Specifictoincreasingstandstructuraldiversity,prescriptionsthataddressseedtreesshouldbeincludedaswellasrecommendationsforharvestseasonality,avoidingdamagetoresidualtrees,andleavingwildlifehabitatfeaturessuchassnagsandcoarsewoodontheforestfloor.Alloftheseprescriptionsarewell-describedintheliteratureandshouldbeappropriatetothesite.Ondrybottomlandsitesthatmaybethinned,leave“guardtrees”toprotectthevaluablestemsintheresidualforest.
2 Maturehabitat:
Howcanforestownersandmanagersmaintainorincreasetheamountofworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestsanddecreasefragmentation:Throughafforestation–to
• Promotemanagementplansforalllandowners.• Wherepractical,restorehydrologicfunctionin
previouslyditchedanddrainedsites.• Ifneeded,replanttonativespecies.• Considerforestmanagementoptionstocreate
largerpatchsizesandmorewildlifehabitatenhancement.
• Createandimplementprogramstoexpandthenumberofprofessionalswithexpertisein
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Group
ID#
Opportunityfor
Improvement
Recommendation
apredeterminedobjectiveMaintainingageclassdistributionwithintractsIdentifyingandprioritizingmanagement/protectionoflargerblocksOld-Growth:Whatageorstandfeaturesdefineoldgrowth?1. Howmuchexits?How
muchisdesired?2. Identifywaysto
advanceold-growthand/orold-growthstructure/characteristicsthroughmanagement
managementofworkingbottomlandhardwoodforests.
3 Standandlandscape
structuraldiversity:
Structuralcomplexitycanbeaddressedbothatthestandandlandscapelevel.Promoteadoptionofforestmanagementplansthatarmlandownerswithinformationandoptionstoaddressstructuralcomplexitybeforeharvest.
Toaddressstructuralcomplexity:• Leaveanaverageof2-4treesperacrewithapreferencefor
seedtreesandwildlifetreeswithpotentialtobecomedominantover-storytrees.Note:whencruising,considerflaggingavaluabletree(e.g.cypress)andretainitandafewneighboringtrees.
• Retainsnags,particularlythoseoflarge-diameter,whenappropriateandsafe.
• Retainadiversityofcoarsewoodydebrisonsitepost-harvest.Considerleavingtops,somelow-qualitylogsintheshovelmat,andsomefinewoodymaterial.E.g.10%ofchipwoodonsite-leaving1outofevery10tops.
• Considerharvesttimingtooptimizeregenerationpotential-dryyears.
• Advancelandownerunderstandingofandappreciationforecologicalelementsandpractices,suchaswhyleavingsnagsandcoarsewoodymaterialisgoodforcertainwildlifespecies.
4 Harvestinginstanding
water:
Ensureharvestingwhendoneinstandingwater
• Timing:harvestduringdryperiodsasmuchaspossibletoaidregenerationfromseedandtoallowforoperatoraccuracy.
• Drainage:ensurethatadequatedrainage/hydrologicfunctionismaintainedtoallowwatermovement.
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Group
ID#
Opportunityfor
Improvement
Recommendation
yieldslimitedsiteimpactsanddesiredregeneration
• Seedtrees:leave8-10seedtreesperacretoencourageregeneration.
• Harvestabovethehigh-watermarktoallowforstumpsprouting.
• Useadequateclose-outproceduresafterharvest:retrieveshovelmatsandleavethesitewithaslittleunnecessarydisturbanceaspractical.
• Useharvesterswhoaretrainedandequippedtooperateonthesetypesofsites.
5 Streamsidebufferzones
withmultipleecological
benefits:
ExistingBMPsdoagoodjobofprotectingwaterqualityandsomewildlifespecies.Developrecommendationsforlandownerstoachieveobjectivesbeyondwaterquality.
• ToavoidhavingtoaddressspecificSMZwidthsforindividualwildlifespeciesadoptanecologicaloutcome-basedapproachfoundedonstreamorder.Suchanapproachwouldclusterecologicalbenefitsinamoreeasilyunderstoodandimplementedwaysoastoretaingreaterwildlifeandbiodiversityneedswithouttheneedtotryandoperateonaspecies-by-speciesapproach
• BMP-dictatedSMZsshouldbeusedon1storderstreamswithwidthincreasingasstreamorderincreases.Specificwidthsandallowedselectiveharvestinglevelsshouldbebasedonsite-andlandowner-specificmanagementplans.
• Toensurelongevityandmaximizehabitatvalueperpetualconservationeasementswithlow-intensitymanagementinterventionsshouldbeemployedwhereverpossible.
6 Standregeneration:
Identifyspecificsiteswhereregenerationisnotoccurringandascertaincauses.Developmanagementandregenerationresponseswherepossibletoremediate.Whereharvestingcannotbedonewithconfidenceinsuccessfulregeneration,harvestingshouldbedelayed.
• LandownersshouldhaveamanagementplaninplaceandtheserviceofaCFbeforeimplementingharvestingpractices.
• Ensurethathydrologyhasnotbeenalteredpriortoharvestandthatfunctionwillbemaintainedafterharvest.
• Payspecialattentiontodrainage,roads,culvertsandbeaveractivityinbothnewandoldroads.
• Usetemporaryvs.permanentcrossingswherepossible.• Augmentinformationonregenerationfollowingharvestwith
periodicpost-harvestsurveys.• Shareinformationwiththebroaderfieldofpractice.
7 Invasivespecies:
Duetootherhigherpriorities,participantsdid
• Duetootherprioritiesandlimitedtime,nospecificrecommendationsweredeveloped.
17
Group
ID#
Opportunityfor
Improvement
Recommendation
notdeveloprecommendationsforthistopic.
8 Specialhabitatsand
ecotypes:
Withrespecttospecialecotypes(baldcypress/tupelostands,Atlanticwhitecedarstands,andnaturalpocosinsandCarolinabays):whilemoreinformationisneededtoassessthepresenceandamountsofthesehabitattypesintheirnaturalconditionontheonehand,andtherangeofappropriatemanagementinterventionsthatarecompatiblewithprotectionoftheirnaturalcharacterontheother,individuallandownersandmanagersshouldidentifywaystoprotectthebestexamplesofthesetypesasadditionalinformationisgathered.Toaidownersandmanagers,cleardefinitionsofspecialhabitattypesthatfacilitateeasyidentificationonthegroundmustbedeveloped.
Conductliteraturereviewstodetermineknowledgegapsregardingmanagementofthesespecialtypes;identifyresearchneedstofillgaps.Identifyexistingdatasetsforspecialhabitattypes(maybedifferentfordifferenttypes,i.e.landformsvscovertype)todeterminepresenceandprevalenceonthelandscape(mayrequire“ground-truthing”);makesureinformationisreadilyavailabletoCF/managers.• Developcriteriatohelpforesters/managersdetermineifthe
siteisofaqualitythatwarrantsspecialattention(mayendupwithmultiplethresholdsfordifferentlevelsofquality)–e.g.speciescomposition(plantand/oranimal),vegetativestructure,hydrology,availabilityofseedsource,conditionofadjacentlands,etc.).Developguidelinesformanagement(foreachspecialforesttype)ofthosesitesthatpassthethreshold(orvariousthresholdsbasedonquality).
• WithrespecttoCypress/Tupelostands,managementplansshouldinclude:o Leavingvisualbuffers(greaterthan50feet)along
navigablewaters.o Retainstringersofcypressonstreamchannels,leave
standingdeadcypressforseedsourceandwildlifeConsiderpartialharvestregimestomimicnaturaldisturbanceonthelandscape
ImplementationRecommendations
Followingtheprioritizationofthelistofopportunitiestoincentivize,support,andencouragethesystemofactorsinlandmanagementtovoluntarilymanageandenhanceecologicalattributesoftheseforestsovertime(seeTable4inthe“OpportunityStatements”section),participantswereaskedtoselectoneofthetopfourprioritychallengesforwhichtheyweremostinterestedindevelopingrecommendations.
18
Participantsformed4smallgroupsanddevelopedtheirideasinastructuredformat,usingtheworksheetfoundinAppendix4.
Someoftheparticipants,ratherthanworkoneofthefourpriorityimplementationchallengesdescribedabove,formedasmallgrouptocreatetheoutlineofapre-harvestchecklisttoolthatcouldenablebettermanagementdecisionmakinginbottomlandhardwoodforests.
Anothergroupformedtofurtherdeveloprecommendationsonwhethertoandhowtomanagespecialhabitatsandecotypes,withspecialattentiontocypress/tupelostands.
Thoseself-identifyingasresearchershadtheoptiontodeveloparesearchoutlinefortheinformationgap“Longtermresultsonregenerationandproductivityofsitesharvestedinstandingwater”prioritizedinthe"OpportunityStatements.”
Throughaseriesofsmall-tablerotationsandplenaryfeedbacksessions,allofthegroupsrefinedtheirideasandrecommendations.SeeTable6forImplementationRecommendations,Table7fortheResearchOutline,Table8fortheHarvestChecklistOutline,andTable9forrecommendationsforspecialhabitatsandecotypes.
Table6:ImplementationRecommendations
Rec.# Implementation
Opportunity
Recommendation
5 Innovativeoptionsforincreasingparticipationinsustainableforestmanagementpractices
• Enhancefinancialfeasibility:o Robustmarketsforforestproductsareperhaps
thesinglegreatesttooltoensurethatlandownerscanandwillinvestinmanagement.
o Incorporatehistoricallylowvaluetimberintohighervaluesolidwoodproduct.
o Developinnovativecostshareideastosubsidizenecessaryharveststoregeneratehigh-gradedstands.
• Supportlandowneroutreach/education:o Identifyandequiplandowneradvocatesto
championsustainablepractices.o Developregional/localconservationplansforlocal
reference.o Createdemonstrationforestsforlandowner
reference. Modifyeducationmaterialstobemoreuserfriendly(e.g.brief,layman’slanguage,and2-3minute“howto”videos).Connectlandownerstothelargerlandscapescale
19
Rec.# Implementation
Opportunity
Recommendation
implicationso Identifycreativefundingsourcestoencourage
landownerparticipationandforestmanagementplanning.
o Considercorporate-fundedassistanceforesterstocreateforestmanagementplans.
o Dothenecessarysocialsciencenecessarytoimproveconveyanceandunderstanding.
• Increasecertificationenrollment:o Useconsultantswithgroupcertificatestolower
thecostofentryforsmallerprivatelandowners.o Certificationrequiresdocumentationof
sustainableforestmanagementpractices.Implementsystemsthatfitsmallacreageowners.
• Createsustainedfundingsourcestolandownersforconservationpractices:
o Encouragestatewideinitiativestoprovidefunding.
• Increaseloggercapacitytoharvestsustainably:o Workwithlargeoperatorstocreatesmallercrews
toimplementalternativeharvest/silviculturalpractices.
o Exploreinnovativedebtmechanismstohelpdefrayequipmentcostsrelatedtosustainableharvests.
o Explorecooperativelogisticstoreducecosts.o Providetechnicaleducationopportunitiesto
ensureawell-trainedworkforce.o Elevatepublicperceptionoftimberharvesters.
• Procuringorganizationsshouldworkdirectlywithlandownerstoprovideassistanceifitisn’tavailablefromothersources
8 Diverse,robustmarketsforvarioustypesofwoodcreatingmarketincentivestoretain/maintain
Robustmarketsforthefullrangeofproducts(size/species/qualityoftrees)onthelandisfoundationaltosuccessfullandmanagement.Iftherearenomarketsforspecialspecies/habitattypes(e.g.longleafpine,AtlanticWhiteCedar),manylandownerswillnotwanttoretainthemunlesscompensatedthroughothermeans.
20
Rec.# Implementation
Opportunity
Recommendation
differentecotypes Therefore,educatelandowners,woodsuppliers,timberharvesters,andeconomicdevelopmentprofessionalsoftheimportanceofdiverseandnewmarketsforwoodproducts,eventoadvanceconservationobjectives.NoteForestproductslocator.orghasGISmapofproducers,mills,etc.
11 ConvincinglandownersofthevalueofretainingBMPs
• CommunicatetolandownersthatestablishingandembracingBMP’saheadofprospectiveharvestcansavemoneyandavoidpotentiallycostlyfinesorrehabilitationefforts.
• Considerwaystoaggregateservicestomeettheneedsandlowerthecostsforsmallerlandholders.
• Identifyandadvancecommunitiesoflandownersforpeer-to-peer“selling-in”ofthevalueofBMPsandotherecologicalpractices.
• ExploretheuseofPresentUseValues(PUVs)tooffsetthetaxliabilitythatalandownermayaccruewithrespecttoforeststreamsidebuffers.
• Exploreincentivesorcost-shareprogramstoaidlandownersinimplementingBMPs.
• Usepre-harvestplanningtocommunicatetoalandownerthevalueofBMPsaboveForestPracticeGuidelines.
• BenchmarkacrossstatestodeterminebestpracticesforencouraginglandownerstoimplementBMPs.
12 Silviculturaloptionsforenhancingbottomlandhardwoodforconservationvalues
• Encouragelandownersandoperatorstotakeadvantageoftrainingandinformationavailablefromstateagencies(NCFS,VDOF),ExtensionService,andothers.
• Createconsolidatedwebsite–createaone-stopshopforworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestmanagementinformationandresources.
• Createdemonstrationsitesshowcasingsoundforestmanagementoptions
• Developaseriesofleafletsonworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestmanagementoptions.
• Createapublicationonworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestimprovementpracticesandsourcesofcostshareavailability.
• DevelopaworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestschoolbasedonuplandhardwoodforestschoolalreadyinexistenceinNC(forpractitioners).
21
Rec.# Implementation
Opportunity
Recommendation
• AddbottomlandhardwoodforesttrainingtoProLoggerandSHARPLoggertrainingprograms.
• Provideon-siteshorttrainingtoolfortimberharvesters.• Conductpre-harvestplanningandsitelayouttrainingfor
timberharvesters.• WorkwithNRCStomakebottomlandhardwoodforest
improvementtreatmentseligibleinCAP106program/plans.
• CreatePRvideosforthepublic–short,visualeasytodigestinformation–likeforestryfastbreakvideos.
• Ensureoutreachisgettingtootherissues–wildlife,ecosystemservices,socialaspects,carbon,etc.
• Createaseriesofbriefvideosthatshowgoodandbadharvestingandotherpractices.
• Makeresearchinformationmoreaccessible–especiallyolderdocumentsthatareout-of-printandnotdigitized.
• Recognizethatnotalllandownersareinternetsavvy.Usearangeofmethodsofdistribution(church,neighbors,etc.).
• Createreading-level-appropriateversionsoftechnicalmaterialstoaidingettinginformationintothehandsoflandowners.
Table7:ResearchOutlineInformationGap ResearchQuestionsThatWouldBeAddressedByProposalOutline
Potentialproblemsassociatedwithharvestinginstandingwater:• Impactson
regeneration• Impactson
drainage/soils• Impactsonwildlife• Impactsonlong-term
productivity/andvalue
• Dothetimingandconditionsduringharvestaffectregenerationsuccessandspeciescomposition?
• Howdodifferentbufferwidthsaffectwildlifecommunitycomposition?• Whataretheimpactsofshovelloggingondrainageandsoilproperties?• Whatisthesuccessionalpatternfollowingshovelloggingoverlonger
periodsoftime?• WhataretheeffectsofSMZwidthonsedimentandsedimentsensitive
species?• DocumentcoarsewoodydebrisinSMZ’s&harvest• Designresearchtoevaluatepost-harvestsitesnowinsteadof(orin
additionto)pre-andpost-harvestcomparisonsinordertogetquickerresults.
--Note:thereisverylittleresearchonimpactsofshovelloggingonbottomlandhardwoodforestssothiswouldfillarelativelyuniquegap.At
22
thesametimeresultsbeapplicabletoarelativelylimitednumberofsitesacrossthelandscape.
Table8:HarvestChecklistOutlineHarvestChecklistGoal HarvestChecklistOutline
Withagroupofexperts,developa“red-yellow-green”checklisttoassistforestersandtimberharvestersinaskingtherightquestionswithrespecttoappropriatemanagementoptionswithinbottomlandhardwoodforests.Thechecklistwouldenable:• Harvestingwithout
damagetosite• Harvestingto
enhancethestandandencourageregeneration
• Identificationof“showstoppers”andhowtohandlethese
• Standconditionso Speciescomposition&size/ageo Advancedregenofdesiredspecieso Species-sitesuitabilityo Invasivesthreatpost-harvesto UniqueorT&Especies&naturalcommunitiesof
conservationconcern• Floodingregime(includingalterations)
• Soiltype(includingassociatedsiteproductivity)
• Landownerobjectiveso Landownerintendstomaintainforestcovero Wildlifeobjectives
• Access&seasonality
• Landscapecontext&position
Regulatoryconcerns
• Siteisnotgoingtobedeveloped(silviculturalexemptionapplies)• ESAspecies
Redflagconditions
• Standconditionso Invasivespeciesthreatpost-harvesto Naturalcommunitiesofconservationconcern
• Floodingregimeo Irreversiblehydrologicalterationspresentorlikely
--Note:thistoolcouldbedevelopedincollaborationwithothergroupsnotparticipatingintheworkshop
Table9:SpecialEcotypeandHabitatCriteria
SpecialEcotypeandHabitatsCriteria
Forcypress/tupelostands:• Theremaybesite-by-siteinstanceswheremanagementcouldbe
beneficialtoencourageregeneration• Identifyapotentialgroupofthirdpartiestoevaluateasiteto
providerecommendationsoncypressregeneration• Createachecklistofstandfactorstoevaluateforsuitabilityof
harvest.Theassessmentshouldaddress:
23
SpecialEcotypeandHabitatsCriteria
o Advancedregenerationo Effectsofpost-harvesthydrologyo Adequateseedsourceexistspre-andpost-harvesto Correcthydrologicalregime
• Developmanagementplansthatinclude:o Retainingvisualbuffers(greaterthan50feet)along
navigablewatersandstringersofcypressonstreamchannelspost-harvest
o Retainingsomelivecypressasaseedsourceaswellasstandingdeadcypressforwildlifepost-harvest
• Documenteffectsofloggingoncypressregeneration,exploreopportunitiesforpartialharvesttomimicnaturaldisturbanceonthelandscape
• Provideclearguidancetosuppliersonwhereandwhenadditionalguidelinesarerequiredandmonitorimplementationovertime
• Workwithtimberbuyerstoreachouttolandownerstodiscussbenefitsofgoodmanagementpracticesforlongtermbenefitofcypress/tupelo
• Hostaworkshoportrainingforsuppliersandforestersonappropriatemanagementanddecisionmakinginthisecotypeandencouragemanagementplans
• Involveagroupofinterestedstakeholderstopromotetheneedtomaintaincypressonthelandscapeandtodevelopstrategiestodoso
• Referenceexistingrelevantliterature(e.g.USDAForestServiceCypressResourcePaper)
Forotherspecialhabitatsandecotypes:
• Ratherthaneliminatingtheoptionofmanagingspecificecotypes,whichcouldinadvertentlylimitconservationopportunities,itmaybemoreprudenttoevaluatesensitiveforesttypesonasite-by-sitebasis.
• However,somerareforesttypesshouldnotbeharvested,atleastnotcommercially.
• Activemanagementcansupportoldgrowthstandconditionsifdonecorrectlyandcouldbeusedtorestoreimportantecologicalfeaturesandimproveuponpreviouspoormanagement.
• Harvestingindividualstandscanmimicnaturaldisturbanceacrossthelandscape.
• AtlanticWhiteCedarstandsarerelativelyrareonthelandscapebutcanbeartificiallyregeneratedatalowcostifdesiredbythelandowner.
• Themajorityofparticipantsbelievethatnon-convertedBays&
24
pocosinsshouldberestrictedfromactiveforestmanagement.• ReviewNatureServeGlobalrankings(G1/G2)withregardtospecial
habitatorecotypes.
Ingeneral,participantssuggestedthattheserecommendationswouldbenefitfrom:
• Furthervettingwithabroaderaudiencetoprovideopportunityformorefeedbackandideas;• Landownerfocusgroupstotestassumptions;and• Whererelevantinformationexists,conductarapid,focusedliteraturereviewtoaddresskey
informationgapsidentifiedintheworkshop.
NextSteps TheEndowmentandEnvivaarecurrentlyreviewingtheconceptsandrecommendationsthatresultedfromtheworkshop.Oncereviewed,therecommendationsmaybe:
1. Developedfurther,withEnvivaandtheEndowmentgatheringmoreinformationandideasfromworkshopparticipantsandotherstorefinecertainrecommendationsinordertoimplement;
2. Combined,inpartorinwhole,inordertoimplement;and/or3. Deemedoutsideofthescopeofvisionand/orinfluencesetforthbytheEnvivaandEndowment.
Someoftheserecommendationscouldbeworthyofconsiderationbyotherorganizations.
ManyoftherecommendationsarebeyondthecapacityofEnvivaand/ortheEndowmenttoimplementindependentlyandwouldthusrequiremultipleorganizationstocollaborateinordertodevelop,fund,andputintoplace.Forexample,therecommendationsthatrelatetodesiredconditionsatthelandscapelevelwillbedifficulttoimplementindependently.EnvivaandtheEndowmentmayconsidersupportingsomeofthesemulti-organizationalrecommendationswheretheyaredeemedtohavehighpotentialpositiveimpact,arefeasibletoimplement,andrelevanttoEnviva’sandtheEndowment’scorebusinessandmission.
Finally,EnvivaandtheEndowmenthavecommittedtopubliclysharethisreportfortheadvancementofsustainableforestmanagementinsouthernbottomlandhardwoodforests.
25
Appendix1–ListofinvitedorganizationsOrganizationAmericanForestFoundation
Audubon
CenterforBioEnergySustainability
ColumbiaForestProducts
DucksUnlimited
DogwoodAlliance
Domtar
Enviva
ForestLandowner’sAssociation
ForestStewardsGuild
ForestStewardshipCouncil
Gelbert,Fullbright&RandolphForestryConsultants,PLLC
InternationalPaper
NationalCouncilforAirandStreamImprovement
NationalWildTurkeyFederation
NaturalResourcesConservationService
NaturalResourcesDefenseCouncil
NorthCarolinaAssociationofProfessionalLoggers
NorthCarolinaStateUniversityDepartmentofForestry
NorthCarolinaStateUniversityWildlifeDepartment
NorthCarolinaWildlifeResourcesCommission
NorthCarolinaForestService
NorthCarolinaForestryAssociation
NorthCarolinaFoundationforSoilandWaterConservation
26
NorthCarolinaStateDepartmentofForestryandEnvironmentalResources
RainforestAlliance
ResourceManagementService
RoanokeElectricCooperative
SeaboardTimber
SocietyofAmericanForesters
SouthernEnvironmentLawCenter
SustainableForestryInitiative
TarRiverLandConservancy
TheConservationFund
TheNatureConservancy–VAChapter
TheNatureConservancy–NCChapter
TheNatureConservancy–CapeFearArchConservationCollaboration
Tri-StateLand&TimberLLC
TrustforPublicLand
U.S.EndowmentforForestryandCommunities
U.S.FishandWildlifeService
USDAForestService
VirginiaDepartmentofForestry
VirginiaDepartmentofGameandInlandFisheries
VirginiaForestryAssociation
VirginiaLoggingAssociation
VirginiaTechCollegeofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment
VirginiaTechDepartmentofForestResourcesandEnvironmentalConservation
Weyerhaeuser/PlumCreek
WorkingLandsTrust
27
Appendix2–ListofattendeesName Organization Position
ChrisErwin AmericanForestFoundation Director,WoodlandConservation;forestmanagement
CurtisSmalling Audubon DirectorofLandBirdConservation
MaryElfner Audubon
LathaMalarBaskaran CenterforBioEnergySustainability OakRidgeNationalLab
JamieRader DucksUnlimited ManagerofConservationProgramsintheSouthAtlantic
AllisonGratz Enviva DirectorofSustainability;Forestmanagement,operations
JenniferJenkins Enviva VicePresident&ChiefSustainabilityOfficer
TyroneWilliams ForestLandowner Forestlandowner
AmandaMahaffey ForestStewardsGuild NortheastRegionDirector
AmyClarkEagle ForestStewardshipCouncil DirectorofScience&Certification
BruceWhite Gelbert,Fullbright&RandolphForestryConsultants,PLLC ConsultingForester
EricVance NationalCouncilforAirandStreamImprovement
SustainableForestProductivity;soils;nutrientcyclingplusco-workerswithforestedwetlandmanagement,biodiversityandwaterqualityexpertise
TerryBest NaturalResourcesConservationService NRCSDistrictConservationistHalifaxCo.NC
TimothyBeard NaturalResourcesConservationService StateConservationist
PaulBoone NaturalResourcesConservationService DistrictConservationist,JacksonFieldOffice
28
MichaelChampion NaturalResourcesConservationService DistrictConservationist,WindsorFieldOffice
BrianSaunders NaturalResourcesConservationService DistrictConservationist,GatesvilleFieldOffice
DougWassum NaturalResourcesConservationService DistrictConservationist,EdentonFieldOffice
ChristopherMoorman NCStateUniversityWildlifeDepartment WildlifeandForestryExpertise
BrentWilson NCWildlifeResourcesCommission WildlifeForester
JimSlye NorthCarolinaForestService CoastalPlainAssistantRegionalForesterforForestManagement
SeanBrogan NorthCarolinaForestService DirectorForestManagementandDevelopment
PryorGibson NorthCarolinaForestryAssociation ForestryProgramsManager
MichelleLovejoy NorthCarolinaFoundationforSoilandWaterConservation ExecutiveDirector
ChrisDePerno NorthCarolinaStateDepartmentofForestryandEnvironmentalResources
Professor;Wildlifeecology&managementofbottomlandhardwoodforests
DouglasFredrick NorthCarolinaStateDepartmentofForestryandEnvironmentalResources
Professor;Bottomlandhardwoodsilvicultureandmanagement,biomass,energyandnutrientcontentofbottomlandhardwoodforests
RobertKellison NorthCarolinaStateDepartmentofForestryandEnvironmentalResources
EmeritusProfessor;Hardwoodsilvicultureandmanagement,PastNCStateHardwoodCoopDirector
29
AltonPerry RoanokeElectricCooperative SustainableForestryandAfricanAmericanLandRetentionProject
BillWilson SeaboardTimber Logger
MarkGurganus SeaboardTimber Logger
JessicaMcGlyn Staff
MaryKateWise Staff
RichardCrespin Staff
RickCantrell Staff
RobMcIntyre Staff
BuckVaughan TheConservationFund Manager,ForestFinancialPlanning&Analysis
DavidWhitehouse TheConservationFund ForestOperationsManager,WorkingForestFund
JeanLorber TheNatureConservancy ForestProtectionSpecialist
CharlieMarshburn Tri-StateLand&TimberLLC WoodSupplier
CarltonOwen U.S.EndowmentforForestryandCommunities President&CEO
FlorenceColby U.S.EndowmentforForestryandCommunities Manager,OrganizationalSupport
MatthewConnollyWare USFishandWildlifeService RoanokeRiverNationalWildlifeRefugeManager
Dr.PeterCaldwell USDAForestService Hydrologist
AnitaRose USDAForestService
SteveMeadows USDAForestService PrincipalSilviculturist
MattPoirot VADepartmentofForestry AssistantDirector,WaterQualifyProgramForest
30
ManagementDivision
RobertFarrell VADepartmentofForestry DeputyStateForester
RickBusch VADepartmentofGameandInlandFisheries AssistantDirector,BureauofWildlifeResources
PaulHowe VirginiaForestryAssociation ExecutiveDirector
DeanStauffer VirginiaTechCollegeofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment
ProfessorofWildlifeConservation;wildlife-habitatrelationships
ChadBolding VirginiaTechDepartmentofForestResourcesandEnvironmentalConservation AssociateProfessor;Harvestingsystemsandimpacts
JenniferGagnon VirginiaTechDepartmentofForestResourcesandEnvironmentalConservation
PastChair;AppalachianSocietyofAmericanForesters;CoordinatorVATechForestLandownerEducationProgram
MikeAust VirginiaTechDepartmentofForestResourcesandEnvironmentalConservation
Professor;HarvestingImpactsinBottomlandsandWetlands;BMPsandWaterQuality
BobSchaefer WorkingLandsTrust Chair;forestmanagement;procurement;landtrust
31
Appendix3–AdditionalresourcesidentifiedduringtheworkshopNatureServeGlobalRankingList
NCForestServicehomepage
• NorthCarolina’sForestActionPlan
• NorthCarolinaForestryBMPManual
• NorthCarolinaForestryBestManagementPracticesQuickReferenceGuide
SouthernGroupofStateForesters(SGSF)Publications
SouthernForestResourceAssessment-TechnicalReport
TheForestProductsNetwork
VirginiaNaturalHeritageProgram
TheresourcesbelowhavebeencompiledintheForestStewardsGuildreport:EcologicalForestryPracticesforBottomlandHardwoodForests
oftheSoutheasternU.S.AmandaMahaffeyandAlexanderEvans,May2016.
StateBestManagementPractices
§ Alabama’sBestManagementPracticesforForestrywww.forestry.state.al.us/BMPs.aspx
§ ArkansasBestManagementPracticeswww.arnatural.org/forestry/bmps.htm
§ FloridaSilvicultureBestManagementPracticeswww.fl-dof.com/forest_management/bmp/index.html
§ GeorgiaBestManagementPracticeswww.gfc.state.ga.us/forestmanagement/bmp.cfm
§ KentuckyForestPracticeGuidelinesforWaterQualityManagement
www.ca.uky.edu/forestryextension/Publications/FOR_FORFS/FOR67.pdf
32
§ FieldGuidetoBestManagementPracticesforTimberHarvestinginKentucky
www.ca.uky.edu/forestryextension/Publications/FOR_FORFS/FOR69.pdf
§ RecommendedForestryBestManagementPracticesforLouisiana
www.ldaf.state.la.us/portal/Portals/0/FOR/for%20mgmt/BMP.pdf
§ GuidelinesforPracticingForestEnvironmentalEnhancementinLouisianawww.ldaf.state.la.us/portal/Portals/0/FOR/for%20mgmt/BMP.pdf
§ NorthCarolinaBestManagementPracticesncforestservice.gov/water_quality/bmp_manual.htm
§ OklahomaBestManagementPracticesGuidelineswww.forestry.ok.gov/waterqualitybmp
§ SouthCarolinaBestManagementPracticeswww.state.sc.us/forest/refbmp.htm
§ TennesseeForestryBestManagementPracticeswww.tn.gov/agriculture/forestry/bmps.shtml
§ TexasForestryBestManagementPracticestxforestservice.tamu.edu/main/article.aspx?id=14536
§ Virginia’sForestryBestManagementPracticesforWaterQuality
http://dof.virginia.gov/infopubs/BMP-Field-Guide_pub.pdf
§ WestVirginiaSilviculturalBestManagementPracticesforControllingSoilErosionandSedimentationfromLoggingOperations
www.wvforestry.com/BMP%20Book%202009.pdf
Extensionoffices&publications§ RegeneratingHardwoodsinMississippi–DepartmentofForestry,MississippiStateUniversity
http://extension.msstate.edu/sites/default/files/publications/publications/p2470.pdf
§ BottomlandHardwoodManagement–MississippiStateUniversityExtensionService
http://extension.msstate.edu/sites/default/files/publications/publications/p2004_1.pdf
§ Forestmanagementinbottomlandhardwoods–LouisianaDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries
www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/publication/34723-forest-management-bh-low-res/forest_management_in_bh_low-res.pdf
USDAForestServiceresources§ SouthernHardwoodForestManagement–U.S.D.A.ForestService
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/forestry/publications/pdf/forest_management/USFS_Southern_Hardwood_Mgmt.pdf
33
§ AGuidetoBottomlandHardwoodRestoration–USDI,USGS,USDAForestService
www.nwrc.usgs.gov/wdb/pub/diglib/bottomland_hardwood.htm
ForestStewardsGuildReports§ ForeststoFaucets:Protectingupstreamforestsforcleanwaterdownstream
http://forestguild.org/publications/research/2013/forests-to-faucets-report.pdf
§ ForestBiomassRetentionandHarvestingGuidelinesfortheSoutheast
http://www.forestguild.org/publications/research/2012/FG_Biomass_Guidelines_SE.pdf
§ BiomassSupplyandCarbonAccountingforSoutheasternForests
http://www.southernenvironment.org/uploads/publications/biomass-carbon-study-FINAL.pdf
§ EcologyofDeadWoodintheSoutheast
http://www.forestguild.org/publications/research/2011/ecology_of_dead_wood_SE.pdf
34
Appendix4–WorkshopTools
1. CHALLENGES: What implementation challenges does your recommendation address?
2. SOLUTION: How would address this challenge?
3. Encouraging Uptake: How might you support and encourage landowners and/or loggers to adopt this recommendation?
4. MEASURES OF SUCCESS: Is your Recommendation… a) Easy and practical for landowners to implement? Easy (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Difficult
b) Economically affordable for landowners/procuring organizations? Low (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) High
c). Based on scientific research? Is more research needed? 6. ACTIVITIES/TIMELINE: Describe specific activities that would be needed to 1) implement the recommendation and 2) encourage landowners and/or loggers to adopt the recommendation. Please provide a high-level timeline, if applicable. 7. RESULTS & TESTING What are the expected results of this concept? What indicators will tell us if we’re making progress? How might this concept be tested and then improved upon?
8. POTENTIAL CHALLENGES What are the challenges in bringing this concept to life? What are the specific costs and to whom?
9. INFORMATION / EXPERTISE What additional information, expertise, or resources will be needed to move forward with this concept? What are the resources needed?
10. EXISTING EFFORTS Are there existing efforts of this type that could be leveraged to carry out these activities?
11. Potential ASSUMPTIONS & UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES of these recommendations?
12. STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT Who are the key stakeholders? What stakeholders would need to be part of this solution?
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THEPROBLEM:Whatinformationismissing? KEYPLAYERS:
LeadInvestigator:PartnerOrganization:MainBeneficiaries:Otherplayers’neededthatarenotatworkshop:
RESEARCHOBJECTIVES:Whatareyourresearchobjectives? STUDYSITES:Whereareyourstudysites?
STUDYDESIGN:WhatareyourMethodsandActivities?TIMELINE:Whatisyourtimelinefortesting?BUDGET:Whatisyourbudgetandexpectedfundingsources? DELIVERABLES:Whatareyourdeliverables/expectedresults?
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THEPROBLEM:Whatspecificecologicalorenvironmentalchallengedoesyourrecommendationaddress? Doesthisapplytoeveryharvestortospecificsites?Ifspecificsites,pleaseprovidemoredetail.
FORESTMANAGEMENTGUIDELINE:Whatisyourrecommendedvoluntarymanagementguideline? Isthisasite-leveloralandscape-level
recommendation?
PROS: CONS:
Whenisitagoodidea? Whenisitabadidea?
Ifthisworks,whatwillastandlooklikein20years?
COSTS:Howmuchwillthisguidelinecosttoimplementvs.baselineandwhowouldhavetopayforit?(Example:logger?Landowner?)
GAPSinKNOWLEDGE:Whatbigscientificunknownsaretherethatifwereansweredwouldgreatlyimprovethisrecommendation?