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From the Center

As the Executive Director of this organization, I meet a lot of people who benefit from our work. At a recent meeting, a new acquaintance shared with me that our autumn story on woodcock had inspired him to try some management techniques on his own property. It is so gratifying to see that when we provide good information on forest stewardship, it translates directly to “on the ground” practices – this goes to the heart of the mission of Northern Woodlands.

I’m pleased to report that we are ramping up our sources of good information through several new projects that will unfold in 2011, and this sneak preview will provide a taste of some exciting publications to come. Early in the new year, we will go to print with the fourth edition in our Place You Call Home series. The Place You Call Home: A Guide to Caring for Your Land in New York is designed for New York landowners, particularly for those who are new to forest management.

The three previous editions we’ve published, covering Vermont, the Upper Valley, and the Catskills, have proven to be very effective at encouraging and promoting sound forest stewardship practices. These magazine-format publications open people’s eyes to the exciting possibilities of the place they call home.

Come fall, we plan to go to press with a book called More Than a Woodlot. As you might guess from the title, the core of this book is the philosophy of forestland use that Northern Woodlands has articulated in our 16 years of publishing the magazine. When we manage a forest, we are not simply managing the production of trees, we are also influencing a complex system of plants, animals, and other organisms. Careful management requires knowledge and a thoughtful approach, and this book will provide information to help landowners understand and appreciate the whole system.

Northern Woodlands is more than a magazine. You know us through these pages, but our other programs and publications allow us to reach many thousands of people who might never subscribe to a magazine. We are able to do this because of many supportive partners, many of whom give donations that make possible all of what Northern Woodlands does. In the fiscal year that ended in September, over 900 individuals, corporations, and foundations made financial contributions. You’ll find a listing of these donors on page 68. We thank all of you for your generous support.

These contributions totaled over $177,000, an amount that pays for 33 percent of our operating expenses. Clearly, the contributions that come in above and beyond the cost of a subscription are crucial to keeping the Northern Woodlands presses rolling.

This leads me to that donation-request envelope that arrived in your mailbox this November. If it is still sitting on your desk, please make your donation today. Come next year, your investment in Northern Woodlands will help deliver the great stories, the outstanding writing and photography, and the information you can use to help deepen your connection with the natural landscape that feeds us in so many ways.

On behalf of the staff and board of Northern Woodlands, we extend our deep appreciation for your support and our best wishes in this holiday season and in the year ahead.

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