CONWAY TOWN FOREST

STEWARDSHIP PLANNING

WORKSHOP

May 26, 2020 Presented by Long View Forest and Wigmore Forest Resource Management

Sponsored by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs (EEA)

How tonight will go…

Introductions: Who we are and why we are here. Who funds the project. Why it’s

happening.

Part 1: Our process…how we decided to structure the

grant project.

Part 2: The forests…the Old Town Farm Property and the Fournier Property…a

short tour of these wonderful forests.

Part 3: Survey Results…Your voice

Part 4: Education: Sustainable Forestry

Practices

Part 5: Working on Goals and Objectives for the

Community Forest Stewardship Management Plan…its your vision, your

decision

Conway Town Forests: Meeting Logistics

Thank you for bearing with us in COVID-times.

Presenters: Mary is leading the meeting, Alex will facilitate and run slideshow and breakout rooms.

7:30 Introductions and Overview of Evening

7:40 Project Overview, Introductions to Properties, Stewardship Presentation

8:00 Initial Question and Answer (Please enter questions in Zoom Chat)

8:15 Breakout Overview

8:20 Breakout sessions

8:30 Leaders from Breakouts report back

8:45 Wrap up and review evening

8:50 Final Questions

9:00-9:15 Optional Q&A

If you have any tech issues during the workshop, please

email abarrett@longviewforest.com – I’ll be standing by!

With lots of people here, everyone will stay muted so we

can all hear.

**And, the meeting is being recorded and will be shared

later (in case you have a bad connection)

What’s this project about anyways?

Conway Select Board voted yes to participation in the Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership.

Their website posts a lot of information at

http://www.mohawktrailwoodlandspartnership.org/about.html.

It’s a Forest-based Economic Development

Conservation Project

Purpose: To bring recognition and additional financial

and technical resources to 21 municipalities in

western Massachusetts primarily via a special

designation by the United States Forest Service and

the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and the

Environmental Affairs (MassEEA) to

1. Increase sustainable economic development

related to forestry and natural resource-based

tourism.

2. Support for conservation on private lands and

the use of sustainable forestry practices.

3. Improve fiscal stability and sustainability of

the 21 municipalities.

The project team of Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG), Berkshire

Regional Planning Commission (BRPC), Franklin Land Trust (FLT) in partnership with

MassEEA initiated the project in 2013 with public outreach for goal setting.

Who we are?

Mary Wigmore- owns a forestry

business, Wigmore Forest

Resource Management, and works

throughout western

Massachusetts. Studies and applies

sustainable forestry practices for

40 years. Loves and depends on

the forest for economic, spiritual,

and emotional well being.

Founded in 1999, Long View has grown steadily from

a three-person crew at its start into a diversified

company today with employees working in three

distinct areas of the business. Forest management

staff provide assessment, planning, and project

management services to landowner

clients. Woodland services and contracting staff

carry out on-the-ground stewardship activities for

our clients as well as other foresters and land

managers. While all our services are also available

stand alone, we believe we do our best work using

an integrated approach that leverages the talents,

knowledge, and passion of our entire team.

How we got involved?

We submitted a bid to a RFQ

for a project with two basic

goals:

1. The education of your

Community about

Sustainable Forestry

Practices.

2. The completion of a Forest

Stewardship Management

Plan for the Fournier

Property and the Old Town

Farm Property.

We won the bid and signed a

contract with FRCOG. Its all

accessible public information-

RFQ, our bids, and the

contract.

We are trying to educate this community

about the Conway Forest Stewardship

Planning Process. We took some direction

from your select board about the use of the

Town forests as a carbon sink.

We have no further economic interest in this

project beyond our contract and bid price.

We do make a living in the forest products

industry.

We do love the woods as much as any of you

who responded to the survey. We have made

every effort possible to derive the goals and

objectives that would be presented in the

Forest Stewardship Management Plan from

your community.

Our Process with Your Project…

Community Forest

Stewardship Management Plan using Sustainable

Forestry Practices

The Town Forests-two healthy, resilient forests –the Fournier property and the Old Town Farm…doing what they do best!

Inventory, mapping, and Study of the Forest

Ecosystem…

scientific observations

Integration. Blending Listening. Using our Skills to complete the project that your Select Board

hired us to do!

Your voices…

Select Board, Outreach with Survey, Online Workshop and Forum, Phone, Email

Community-your

vision, your

values…Listening

Forest condition tells the

story of historic uses and

future potential, as you

can only work with what

is out there

As professional foresters

we are trained to study the

forest ecosystem, collect

data, report current

conditions, and

recommend appropriate

SFPWe want to take what you

have told us in the survey and

learn a little more tonight to

set some goals and objectives

for the Plan.

The Forests… a very brief summary…Survey mentioned it and we will state it

here…the past was the past …Silviculture was applied on both forests…Town

made money and sustainable forestry practices were applied.

Both forests were harvested –Fournier in 2009 and Old Town Farm from 2009 to 2010

Goals of the past silviculture projects were

…Old Town Farm-salvage of damaged Red Pine plantation and a Selection Harvest System Harvest for

the promotion of regeneration of white pine and hardwood species and the improvement of the

vigor and health of the residual hardwood and mixed wood forest stands

…Application of a Shelterwood Harvest System for the promotion of mixed species regeneration

Silvicultural goals were successful. Both site support healthy, resilient forests with a complex

structure inclusive of diverse sizes, ages, heights, and species of trees. Both forests support a

valuable timber asset- fast growing, healthy trees with strong market appeal.

Sustainable Forestry practices were used in these projects…and documented in the State mandated

Harvest Cutting Plans.

And that Is just one piece of the story…let’s take a look at what happened out there.

Conway Town Forests:

Old Town Farm

• Young pines birches

regenerate in a patch

created 12 years ago-

these are the trees of the

future here- maintaining a

pine component

• Large pines and oaks that

are retained

• Standing dead trees and

rotting logs intentionally

left during harvest

provide wildlife habitat

• Multiple levels in the

forest- good structure 6”

up to 100’

Conway Town

Forests:

Old Town Farm

• The well-loved beaver

pond/meadow- a birding

mecca.

• Exotic invasive plants around

edges should be removed

• A designated path to

observation spots would help

encourage focused use and

concentrate human impacts

• The pine patch is particularly

vulnerable to blow down- not

necessarily a bad thing, but it

will be a change. It does not

have a back-up plan.

Conway Town Forests:

Old Town Farm

• A legacy pine tree stands tall

in a regenerating forest-

these younger trees provide

a resilient balance to older,

more vulnerable forests

• A small patch in the

foreground is dominated by

ferns. A black -throated blue

warbler was foraging along

the edge of this micro-gap

• Ruffed grouse and woodcock

are also using this young

forest

• A maintained trail through it

would allow people to

appreciate it more and aid in

monitoring and tending

Conway Town Forests:

Old Town Farm

• A recent blow-down in an

area filled with black birch

regeneration. The black birch

will quickly fill the available

growing space.

• The 2008 harvest retained

the patch of hemlock here in

the background- it adds

structure to the forest and

shelter for animals/birds in

all seasons

• The fallen log is large- large

enough to remain here

rotting for decades- providing

wildlife habitat- but releasing

carbon

Conway Town Forests:

Old Town Farm

• This is an historical

forest- filled with neat

stonewalls, a cellar

hole, and the

cemetery.

• Malachi Maynard

• The cellar hole is

remarkably well- built.

The ground around it

covered with blue

cohosh, bloodroot, and

trillium.

Conway Town Forests:

Fournier Property

• The logging roads have

been seeded and are

currently used for

walking, birding, and

enjoying nature-

educational resource for

schoolchildren

• Vernal pools abut the

main trail- some shaded,

some in sun- diversity is

good

• Some invasive plants are

thriving here too

Conway Town Forests:

Fournier Property

• The old ice pond- filled

with amphibians and

ringed by maturing pines

• A potential long-term

reserve area- paired with

some of the steep hillsides

behind it and pine groves

nearby

• A connector trail from

main trail would

concentrate human

impacts

• Invasive plants nearby

should be controlled

Conway Town Forests:

Fournier Property

• Tornado damage (R) and

harvesting remains (L) in a

thickly regenerating part

of the forest

• 10 years of new growth

pre-tornado allowed the

forest to bounce back

rapidly post-tornado

• However, if slower

resilience is acceptable,

this may not be an issue

Conway Town Forests:

Fournier Property

• There are many, high

quality vernal pools on the

property

• This upland pool in a

hardwood forest has rich

leaf litter in it and is

largely shaded

• Blueberries, trillium and

rare plants exist nearby

• An educational sign with a

walking path would allow

people to safely

experience these special

places

Conway Town Forests:

Fournier Property

• An upland pine site with

young pine establishing in the

understory

• Light coming in from nearby

gaps allows this to happen

• Over time, expanding gaps

will allow these trees to

flourish- the timing depends

largely on you

• Controlling nearby invasives

will allow natural stand

development to occur either

way here

• Black and white warblers

were everywhere in here

What we do at Conway Town Forests…

Hiking…Biking…Mountain Biking…

Walking…Snowshoeing…Birding…Cross country ski

Walking dogs

Enjoy nature…explore nature…loving the beauty and

enjoy nature…sanctuary…observe each new season and

the changing sights…leaves…peaceful surroundings

Love Conway and its forests

History…old cemetery site

Enjoy songbird habitat…botanize…wildflowers

When you think about the Conway Town Forests what comes to mind?

Unappealing, overly

logged…trails over logged…

Special, valuable,

ecologically rich

Refuges threatened by

those who want to

extract money

vital asset to be preserved for

wildlife mainly… as an

educational resource and …

for passive recreational

purposes

living witnesses to

what transpired years ago

A great resource that should be left

alone and allowed to become old

growth

PUBLIC TREASURE

Beautiful place to walk/ bike

good access for kids and families

Magic places BUT disturbed

by recent cutting and harvest on Town Farm

Forest

secluded, untouched,

natural

Beautiful place to walk/ bike

Carbon Sinks and habitat for

critters and plants

Your special places on the Conway State Forests …well-loved places…

The beaver pond is a beautiful peaceful spot near the town farm. The cemetery and surrounding foundations are lovely as well.

Behind the school the land is very wet and buggy. There are also lots of brambles

I believe there is an old graveyard back there

Any of the old stone walls and seasonal vernal pools on the two properties.

The entire (as far as I know it) Fournier Forest is special because of its close-knit variations and their differences and the fact that I can experience them without wearing myself out.

Fournier: Ice pond, immense rock outcrop along the paths, big vernal pool (see Treasure Map prepared for grammar school)

Behind the grammar school because my daughter goes there with her class

I use all the forests in the area including State, Cowls, and private land. Most of my special places are either places with special bear habitat I have found, wetlands in these forest, some of the gulches ridges. I am not always sure which piece these are in (Cowls, state, private, town, etc.)

They are both just wooded land and there is nothing special except that they are town owned.

The beaver pond/the old roads on top of Old Cricket Hill is my special place, I love the sunset and the woods around it. I hope it stays that way forever

Like to linger at a stream crossing on the Fournier Property

I love the vernal pools on the Fournier property... especially the big one at the north end...

Steep hills on Fournier forest

The Maynard cemetery by the Town Farm. There is such a sense of history there—this remote spot was once clearly inhabited, then abandoned.

The four corners area where the Old Town farm was. Beautiful terrain and habitat for many species.. .I am a horticulturist and love to hunt for wildflowers! Right now we have Trillium, May flowers, Dutchman’s breeches, Solomon’s seal, trees unfurling their leaves and still a lot of acorns on the ground providing food for the wildlife !

1. Sustaining biological richness-high biodiversity with well-distributed, healthy native

Populations (93% of respondents)

2. Managing and protecting the aesthetic values and inherent beauty of the forests (93%)

3. Sustaining a wide range of quality of life benefits-aspects of forest that make life richer such as trails,

fishing holes, spiritual sanctuary, aesthetics, educational spots, clean water, fresh air…(89%)

4. Preservation of rare and endangered species and their habitat (88%)

5. Enhancement of the forests ability to mitigate climate change with their accumulation and Storage

of Carbon (82%)

6. Those derived from community planning and the consideration of Conway's cultural

and social values and Concerns (71%)

7. Sustaining the forest’s productive capacity-its ability to grow healthy plants, clean water, support

Wildlife, suck up CO2, protect soil integrity (70%)

8. Recreation- all kinds, all seasons, the whole family, even the dog!

What types of Sustainable Forest

Management Practices are important for use

on your Town Forests?

Ecological Objectives: Greatest Importance:

Protect/Maintain/Promote 1. Rare and at-risk habitat 2. Biodiversity. 3. Soil stability and fertility

4 . Good mix of forest ages with trees heading to old growth 5. the forest’s ability to recover from

disturbance 6. Forest conditions that support carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation.

Prevent 1. Erosion 2. Extensive areas of forest given to timber harvesting

Social Objectives: Equally Great Importance:

Practices and Objectives derived from the community’s opinions and concerns about forest management-full disclosure of information before activity.

Protect/Preserves/Enhances 1. Recreational resources, activities, and experiences (trails and aesthetics along them) 2. Unique or special social, cultural, and spiritual places and features 3. Community safety when practices implemented.

Economic Objectives: Least Important or Not Important:

Economic gain from the woods is not a priority. Its alright as a by-product if we must remove some trees for health reasons due to insects or disease infestations or environmental damage. It’s acceptable if trees were removed to enhance forest resilience to climate change or increase its ability to accumulate or store carbon.

Important Forest Stewardship Objectives

for your town Forests

You accept them if the practices…

1. Maintain or enhance ecological functions, forest health, and biodiversity

2. Maintained and protect all forest roads and trails afterwards

3. Follow stated Best Management Practices for the protection of soil structure and stability, water quality within

wetland resources, and the habitat conditions.

You want them, and seek grants and funding for them, if they…

1. Support all types of recreational activities on the forests- trail maintenance and development, educational signs,

and walking-birding tours

2. Protect biodiversity, create forest reserves or unique refugia zones, restore ecological structure and function, and

protect ecologically important places and species

3. Increase forest’s ability to provide non-timber goods (e.g. beechnuts, acorns, mushrooms) and ecosystem services

(e.g. clean air and water, carbon sequestration, visual and spiritual amenities)

Loud and clear you stated that SFMP are not a priority for timber production or

economic gain.

How you view the use of Sustainable Forest

Management Practices in Conway

The Elephant in the bushes! Conway understands that Climate Change is a

coming crisis. Many responses state the affects that you witness here:

lll

1. Bird populations dropping

2. Vegetation species changing- so many invasive

plants invading the landscape

3. Tree diseases rising-pests active longer-White

ash and hemlock under threat and dying

4. Drastic erratic, unpredictable weather-

heavier rains, hot summers, and warm winters

5. More ice damaged trees

6. Forests under threat

You are willing to support use of SFMP’s on your Town

forests if they would increase their resilience to this

coming crisis (71% of respondents).

Tornado damage in Conway!

Knowing what you think threatens the forest, let’s you think of ways to protect

them…

One definition of sustainable forestry practices…taken from the Harvard

Forest Wildlands and Woodlands A Vision for the Forests of Massachusetts …

Sustainable forestry allows diverse forests to supply a steady stream of quality wood products while environmental values are maintained or enhanced. Low-value trees are removed from maturing stands, leaving the best to grow. High quality timber is then harvested in a planned and sustainable fashion using low-impact logging Sustainable forestry allows diverse forests to supply a steady stream of quality wood products while maintaining and enhancing environmental values. methods that do not damage remaining trees, lower the future timber value of the stand, degrade wetlands and streams, or leave an unsightly mess (Lansky 2003, McEvoy 2004). The vast majority of forest species present in Massachusetts will thrive under such conditions.

Another definition…

The stewardship and care of forests in a way, and at a rate, that maintains their biodiversity,

productivity, regenerative capacity, vitality, and potential to fulfill now and in the future, necessary

ecological, economic, and social functions, and that does not damage the ecosystem.

What do Sustainable Forest Management Practices look like?…pretty

much like what we found on your Town forest. If done well, they

look like what a resilient, healthy forest looks like - ready to take

on the challenge of climate change!

Forest and carbon...scientists have known for a long time that trees suck CO2 out of the air in order to live! But…studies are ongoing…No solid fact base for how to treat forest or use them best as carbon sinks We try to keep updated…our understanding of some of the science now is:

You have the responsibility for the use of the Town forests as a carbon pool. One decision you might consider is whether to use sustainable forest stewardship practices to enhance the carbon storage and sequestration function of the forest. You would have two basic choices, here: let them grow and let nature take its course, or actively manage the forest for carbon.

Passive forest stewardship lets nature unfold in the forest. It does not support timber harvesting, yet it uses SFP’s techniques such as invasive plant control or insect and disease mitigation to increase the forest’s resiliency to a changing climate. Passive stewardship maximizes carbon storage as the forest grows older, but it opens a vulnerability to a massive carbon loss if a natural disaster strikes (crown loss due to ice storm damage, fire, or wind throw) and loses some of the sequestration effects of younger forest growth.

Active forest stewardship might include sustainable timber harvesting or just tree removals for the creation of openings or gaps within dense forest in traditional ways without an economic gain. These disturbances encourage young forest growth within these openings, so carbon sequestration rates increase. Carbon is lost with this approach as some trees are no longer growing, but some of that is captured in wood products. The improved growth of the trees that are not disturbed does provide some carbon gains. Again, it is about balance.

Forest Resilience…another vague concept…some consensus is…

The capacity of a forest ecosystem to absorb and respond to disturbances by resisting

damage or stress and recovering quickly to its basic structure, function, the delivery

of ecological and social goods and services.

What lowers Resilience?

Stress= insects, invasive

plants, storm damage,

increasing temperatures,

shrinking forest base, non-

sustainable-poor logging

practices, over browsing,

homogenous habitats, low

biodiversity …

How to Forest Resilience? Forest Stressors

-Reduce invasive plants, insects, and diseases

-Lower deer populations;

-Ensure that soils have organic matter, no erosion, nor compaction

-Ensure that water resources are protected

-Maintain complex structure- variety of ages, sizes, species, and

some deadwood on the forest floor

-Maintain or promote forest regeneration with species adaptive to

increasing temperatures

-Keep forests as forests- get a long-range plan

-Maintain high biodiversity- set up some refuges

Conway Town Forests:

Workshop Breakout Session

In the 10-minute session, please have a group discussion to answer the following:

What specific, measurable activities could Conway undertake on these

Forests in the next 10 years to maintain and enhance the things you value

there?

Please make a list and articulate how the tasks (SFP’s!) would fit in with what we have been talking

about tonight. Think about it like a to-do list.

Each group will self-select a spokesperson to report back to the entire group.

Thank you for coming. These are your forests; they are your

Forest Stewardship Management Plans.

This project only make sense if the heart of the Forest Stewardship Management Plan comes from this community.

How we plan to keep our connection to you

Survey results will be available for review within a few days at the same weblink.

Additional education materials on the topics of interest will be made available through this link and town website for links, publications, and other useful videos.

Recording of this Zoom meeting will also be made available

A second Zoom Forum will be held on June 18th for a summary of the FSMP and revisiting Goals, Objectives, and SFP’s.

You have our emails and phone numbers…keep reaching out!

Plan completion dates mandated by MassEEA for June 30th, 2020. We know its tight. We are doing our best.

Plans will also be available through Conway Web page in PDF Formats.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK. GOOD NIGHT