“ Approximately 800,000 acres of non-industrial private forest (NIPF) land is in parcels of less than 20 acres – and the number of these smaller parcels is quickly growing.” (2001, Beyond the Suburbs )
Both booklets are available for downloading on-line: Backyard Woods: http://www.arborday.org/backyardwoods/guide.cfm Beyond the Suburbs: http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/beyond_suburbs.pdf
Get family involved, owners (parents?), kids, grandparents, anyone that will use, appreciate, and be involved with management. Discuss constraints (land/financial/family) anything that might impact your ability to manage the land. Use part of the worksheet in BS pg 9 as homework? In class worksheet?
From Beyond the Suburbs, pg 9 FYI from Beyond the Suburbs, pg 43, “…80 percent to 90 percent of soil compaction is caused in the first pass…if you drive you car over your lawn once, it has done much the same damage as driving over the same area several hundred times.”
Their property in the large landscape Working as a group ie: neighbors, home own associations, neighborhood associations, wood coops, etc… to work together and create more opportunities Go to the Google link and type in an audience member’s phone number this will take them quickly to a satellite map! Photo: random MapQuest Arial photo of N. Rochester. Point – It’s easy to find on-line resources that show your property and can help you and your neighbors get a better idea of the RESOURCE as a whole, not just YOUR property. May open-up management options. Connectivity – Beyond the Suburbs, pg 4, “the extent and means by which various resources connect.” Examples: migratory songbirds & red-shoulder hawk
Landscape inventory: Soil test (test kits in back) Plant hardiness zone Next Slide: Vegetation, trees, flowers, plants
Must also get a good assessment of the vegetative cover. This to consider: Forest types – tree cover Water features/hydrology Wildlife needs – Food, shelter, water, space Special places, features that are important to you Access – roads, management, recreation, etc
Make sure your plan is in writing! Review it at least every 10 years Include your family in your plan writing (goal setting, management activities, etc) Consider how the land will be passed on from generation to generation if that is a concern for you
Backyard Woods tips sheet 1
Examples of plan writing resources that might be available to these landowners: DNR Project Plan DNR Comprehensive Plan DNR Stewardship Plan (great than 20 acres) SWCD Plan NRCS EQUIP plan BW Ten-Year Activity Plan Covenant Farms Several Examples of plans are on the back table. Please have a look during the break.
Backyard Woods Tip Sheet 6
Wildlife needs: Food, Water, Shelter, Space
Pictures: 1) deer taken from IN the house & 2) deer browse in a native hardwood stand Discussion: artificially feed wildlife… Birds – little harm, likely OK. Deer – eat more (more $$$), can seriously over browse forest and cause much damage Turkeys - ??? Be careful about this choice and think the benefits and consequences clearly. Maybe a better choice is providing natural food…
Native plants that are great for wildlife: wild grape, mixed oak stand (thinned)
EQUIP
If your property doesn’t have natural water features consider putting some in around the house… Water, even a small bird bath, can scientifically increase the wildlife that visits your property. Running water, such as this small waterfall/pond can increase the wildlife even more substantially and attract more birds and other animals. CAUTION: Aquatic invasive species!!!!
You may not be able to offer all the space individual species need but your neighborhood may. Consider working with your neighbors to provide all the things animals need: Food, shelter, water, space across the landscape and ensuring easy access to animals. Realize roads may break-up, walls, fences, etc may break-up wildlife corridors and restrict wildlife movement.
There are many classes, and much literature about invasive species, but they can be a huge problem, so they’re definitely something to consider. Also, please plant natives! To avoid additional problems!
Thinned hardwood stand with nice regen.
Backyard Woods Plant Trees 10 (great resource for planting trees) Planting goals may include: Aesthetics Soil stability Wildlife habitat Tree diversity Planting consideration Cost Site moisture Soil characteristics Tree protection Regeneration type
Plantings: Will likely need some kind of site preparation (weed control) SWCD and DNR both have seedling sales. May need to place orders in the fall for spring pick-up. Will likely need mechanical protection from herbivore (tree shelter) For best results water (if possible) Direct seeding may be an option Rochester class: Arbor Day on Friday, will be giving out trees. Natural Regeneration Seed Stump or root sprouts May need site prep before or after a harvest to help regen Tree regeneration can be costly and time consuming. Wildlife species will change depending on the age and species of trees on property – so expect change over time.
Beyond the Suburbs, page 18-21 nice summary
Backyards Woods Generate Wood Products 12 Great if YOU want to try and generate your own wood products…
TSI = Timber Stand Improvement Great picture & resource on Beyond the Suburbs pg 22-23
Potential options for logging on small lands.
Potential options for logging on small lands.
Potential options for logging on small lands.
Morel mushroom, apple, maple syruping Common types of non-timber forest products: Food Medicinals Decoratives Handicrafts Good worksheet Backyard Woods Grow & Collect Special Forest Products 11
Backyard Woods Prune Your Trees 9
Many different reasons you may want to trim your trees… Christmas trees Plantations (walnut, pine) Yard trees…
Trim in late winter when tree is doormat and disease transfer is minimized.
Management Options ( from Beyond the Suburbs, pg 29-35 ):
Backyard Woods, Tip sheet 7
Vegetation Management Creating buffer zones Exclude or limit domesticated animals and pets (cattle, dogs & cats – catching birds, etc) can put bells on animals Restrict off-road vehicles (ATV) Wildlife habitat additions (nesting boxes, bird houses, feeding stations)
Beyond the Suburbs (pgs 36-42): Prairie Establishment (seed source) Maintenance (fire or mow) Pasture Crops (food plots?)
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