I serve on Northern Woodlands’ Board of Directors, and the reason is quite simple. I fully embrace the mission of the organization: “To encourage a culture of forest stewardship in the Northeast by increasing understanding of and appreciation for the natural wonders, economic productivity and ecological integrity of the region’s forests.” To me, this means the forestland is for everyone, and if properly managed, there is enough to go around and serve all reasonable purposes.
I believe this is the most intelligent approach to the complex and sometimes polarizing questions of land use and property rights and the competing interests of those who own the land, manage the land, and use it for recreational and restorative purposes. The Center’s mission essentially says that these interests are not mutually exclusive, that when properly conceived, we can have economic productivity, enjoy outdoor activities, and be assured of healthy forests far into the future. It reaffirms the notion that natural habitats can be maintained without putting people out of work and that people can have a say over the use of their own as well as community property.
In my home state of New York, which is far more forested than most of the country believes, 500,000 private, non-industrial landowners hold 80 percent of the state’s 15.5 million acres of timberland. In this regard, timberland is defined as land that is growing trees available for harvest. Most of this acreage is associated with family ownership. Furthermore, 65,000 jobs are tied to the forest products industry. A substantial volume of the raw material for the products those people are manufacturing is harvested right here in New York.
New York is also one of the leading states in the country in the issuance of hunting and fishing licenses. Thousands more visitors come to our forests, with their lakes, streams, and trails, for quiet recreation. And, like other states in the Northeast, New York has more forestland now than it did in 1900; for decades, timber growth has exceeded yield. In other words, New York and other northeastern states are living examples of how economic productivity, resource conservation, and just plain enjoyment of the woods can coexist.
However, such balance doesn’t come easily. It works because private landowners and public land stewards have borne their responsibilities seriously. They do so by practicing sustainable forestry, by employing the services of professional foresters, and by taking advantage of the educational efforts of a number of great organizations, including Northern Woodlands. Surely, more work needs to be done, and threats to the current balance are many – subdivision, overdevelopment, and taxation of forestland for its development value come to mind – but these issues and more can be solved by educating both landowners and land users.
Faced with the inescapable facts that 1) people want and need wood and wood products, 2) people want and need to enjoy the outdoors, complete with viable wildlife habitat, and, 3) many families are dependent on forest products production for their living, the next logical question should be: how do we provide for all these interests in the most responsible way?
Heavily restricting harvesting would most likely push supply sources offshore, where responsible resource management and oversight can be severely lacking or altogether nonexistent. Taking a big picture view, this would certainly not be beneficial to the planet. Substitute products made of plastic or steel are generally less environmentally friendly (not to mention nonrenewable) and therefore not a reasonable option.
On the other end of the spectrum, timber harvesting that is irresponsible or ill-informed jeopardizes wildlife habitat, water quality, and aesthetic appeal in the near term. Long range, it can compromise the very existence of the forests themselves.
The staff at Northern Woodlands is dedicated to sorting through this matrix through education, communication, and promoting a mutual understanding among the myriad stakeholders with the goal of satisfying the reasonable needs of all involved. I believe they are proving it is doable. Through my service on the Board, I am proud to be a small part of the solution.