The Woods in Your Backyard: Learning to Create and Enhance Natural Areas Around Your Home is a Publication developed by

1. No natural area 2 acres natural area ABSTRACT Two 3-acre properties As populations continue to expand into rural areas of Virginia, forest fragmentation and parcelization change the ecologic and economic foundation of regions. This creates a major challenge for natural resource managers, as rural forest and agriculture land is converted into suburban developments. The diverse ownership objectives of owners of smaller parcels of forestland, most of whom do not focus on timber production, requires the use of innovative and sophisticated methods of communication to convey the benefits and responsibilities associated with forest stewardship. Landowners with 1-10 acres of forest own about two-thirds of the forest properties in Virginia. While the overall acreage of this audience is still relatively small, they represent a growing underserved audience that could be a significant political base in support of forestry programs. Forests in this changing landscape can conceivably still provide a myriad of environmental benefits to society as well as raw materials for forest industry. Landowners who believe non-management is the best management practice do not think about their connection to natural resources, or they have insufficient information for making informed decisions about improving the ecological function of this evolving urban landscape. As a result, landowners do not understand the intrinsic benefits gained from managing their forestland, no matter how small. A new educational tool and approach has been developed to encourage small landowners to understand ecological ramifications of passivity and lead them to a more active involvement with their natural resources for positive impact. The Woods in Your Backyard: A New Tool & Approach to a Growing Issue and an Underserved Audience Kays, J.1; Drohan, J.2; Downing*, A.3; Finley, J.4 1Extension Specialist, Maryland; 2Owner, Eco-Write Inc.; 3Extension Agent, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Northern District; 4Extension Specialist, Pennsylvania In the United States, 60% of private forest ownerships are in 1-10 acre parcels – 4% of the total forest acreage. In urban states, this is as high as 75%. By the year 2030, as much as 11% of private forest acreage will be fragmented into smaller parcels of less than 10 acres as a result of the increasing number of housing developments. Why be concerned about these small properties? People live and work in developed areas where nearby forests play a critical role for water quality, wildlife, recreation, quality of life, and other benefits. Managed woods, large or small, best serve society. • WHAT IS IT? • An approach to educate and equip small acreage landowners (1-10 acres) to better manage their property • Tool = Manual includes a self-assessment workbook • Goal = Informed decision making to positively impact clean water, wildlife, recreation, and forest health • Delivery = Trained professionals and volunteers • WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE MANUAL? • Each of the four-parts includes a series of subject matter lessons, activities, and relevant information • Lessons: articulating objectives, mapping, inventory, planning activities, and converting lawn to forest • A step-by-step process resulting in a personalized management plan following a case study example • A variety of diagrams, illustrations, color photographs, tables and landowner profiles emphasis key points Creating Natural Areas • IS ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO HELP LANDOWNERS IMPLEMENT THEIR GOALS? • No. Traditional forestry assistance targets larger landowners. • As demand continues to increase, potential service providers will emerge. • Professionals from forestry, arboriculture, landscaping and others need training to help landowners meet their goals in ways that maintain or improve ecosystem integrity. • WHO ARE THE VOLUNTEERS AND HOW ARE THEY TRAINED? • Who = Natural Resource Professionals and volunteer citizens such as Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists • How = Train-the-trainer model to disseminate technical material & delivery tools Contents: Part I: Introduction Part II: Inventory Your Property Part III: Ecological Principles Part IV: Put Your Knowledge into PracticeAppendices include: Characteristics of various tree species & their relative value as wildlife food Wildlife habitat, food sources, & management opportunities Tree and shrub uses & site requirements  A self-assessment workbook The Woods in Your Backyard: Learning to Create and Enhance Natural Areas Around Your Home is a Publication developed by: Jonathan Kays1, Joy Drohan4, Adam Downing2, and Jim Finley31Maryland Cooperative Extension, 2Virginia Cooperative Extension, 3Penn State Cooperative Extension, and 4Eco-Write Inc.Financial support provided by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Virginia Department of Forestry, and The Potomac Watershed Partnershipwww.naturalresources.umd.edu