Managing Small Woodlots

1. Managing Small Woodlots by Dan Goerlich Virginia Cooperative Extension

3. In the Southern Region… • 214 million acres of forestland • 69% forestland owned by private forest landowners • 2/3 of private forest landowners own tracts < 10 acres

4. With Regard to Virginia… • 15.4 million acres forest land (61% total area) • 78% owned by PFLs • 73% own < 10 acres, controlling 5% of the acreage

5. VA Forested Tract Size, 1992(from Scrivani, VDOF - 2000) In terms of numbers, 90% of the parcels are less than 50 acres. The mean is 29 acres.

6. Contiguous Forest Tract (Louisa Co, VA) 695 acres

7. 65 Different Ownership Parcels 10 acres average;0.1 to 90 ac

8. Our Forest Landowners are… • Important to the economy • Forest industry #1 employer; #2 wages • 30 billion dollars annually to VA economy (1993) • County level, forest products (timber) often most economically important crop • Recreation, fishing, hunting • Special (non-timber) forest products • Important to the environment • Watershed protection • Wildlife and plant habitat – diversity issues • Air and aesthetic quality

9. Forest Trends •  private forest landowner numbers •  ownership tract acreage • short tenure of ownership • different owner’s (land ethic) ?

10. Reasons for Owning Land On a scale of -3 to 3, where -3 is not important, 0 is neutral, and +3 is very important. • 2.3 Having privacy • 2.1 Enjoying the scenery • 2.0 Seeing wildlife • 1.9 Walking on their land • 1.8 Living in a healthy place • 1.6 Escaping the “rat race” of civilization • 1.5 Living simply • 1.4 Watching things grow • 1.4 Building one’s own house • 1.2 Preserving nature • -1.2 Forest help pay for special expenses like college education • -1.6 Forest as a supplemental source of income • -1.7 Forest as a major source of income From (Hull, Robertson, and Buyoff 2004)

11. Disconnect With Small Landowners • Most forest stewardship programs directed to owners with more than 10 acres • Urban forestry programs address community forests • No specific program for those with 1-10 acre forest landowners that make up the majority (two-third’s) • There are few service providers at present to work with this audience

12. Managing Small Woodlots • Two day event… • Full day general session (indoor) • Evening program for overnight guests • Half day of concurrent sessions (indoor and outdoor) • Half day general session (outdoor) • Rustic setting • $25.00 registration fee (lodging add $26.00) • 19 instructors and volunteers from 8 agencies / departments • 84 participants (73 landowners, 9 foresters, 2 loggers)

14. Evaluation • Program received glowing remarks. • Participants reported increased knowledge levels ranging from 33% to 186% for various topics. • Respondents rated the overall program organization and format as 4.5 on a 5.0 scale. • 100% indicated that the event would help them accomplish their management objectives more effectively.

15. Six Month Follow-up Evaluation • In general: • I haveimplemented a management practice that I learned at the workshop • I haven’t had time yet, but I plan to implement a management practice that I learned at the workshop • I sought professional assistance to achieve a management objective • I did not make any changes

16. More specifically…general session • I prioritized my objectives • I considered how my efforts to attract wildlife might impact me (and others) • I engaged in landscaping to increase privacy and scenery • I attempted some low impact logging • I sought information on cost-share programs

17. More specifically….block 1 • I created backyard habitat • I identified and controlled an invasive exotic species • I took steps to locate, build, and/or manage a pond

18. More specifically…block 2 • I checked out the Virginia Fish & Wildlife Information Service on-line • I was able to identify trees that I couldn’t before • I managed a stream or spring on my property

19. More specifically…block 3 • I planted deer resistant plants • I used crop-tree management and/or thinning to grow trees larger, faster • I took steps to manage or improve a wetland

20. More specifically…field session • I felled a tree using the open-face bore cut technique • I tried my hand at making charcoal • I purchased a portable sawmill--or hired a small sawmill operator--to turn my logs into boards • other _____________________________

21. Six Month Follow-up Results

23. Reasons for Owning Land On a scale of -3 to 3, where -3 is not important, 0 is neutral, and +3 is very important. • 2.3 Having privacy • 2.1 Enjoying the scenery • 2.0 Seeing wildlife • 1.9 Walking on their land • 1.8 Living in a healthy place • 1.6 Escaping the “rat race” of civilization • 1.5 Living simply • 1.4 Watching things grow • 1.4 Building one’s own house • 1.2 Preserving nature • -1.2 Forest help pay for special expenses like college education • -1.6 Forest as a supplemental source of income • -1.7 Forest as a major source of income From (Hull, Robertson, and Buyoff 2004)

24. New Tools are Available • The Woods in Your Backyard www.nraes.org • Woodscaping Your Woodlands, North Carolina State University Pub AG584 • USDA Forest Service Program “Changing Roles: WUI Professional Development Program” www.interfacesouth.org

25. Contact Dan Goerlich Virginia Cooperative Extension 150B Slayton Ave., Suite 112D Danville, VA 24540 Phone (office): 434-766-6761 Phone (cell): 434-579-5727 e-mail: dalego@vt.edu