Forests in Sierra Nevada and the southern Cascade region are at risk for a number of reasons. Extreme levels of wildfire, drought, pestilence, disease, and climate change are just a few. A significant portion of Sierra Nevada and southern Cascade forests are owned by non-industrial owners, such as small packages (10 to 100 acres). To help these landlords, CAL FIRE and the US Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Center recently released ‘Forest Management Manual for Small Possession Landowners’. This step-by-step guide is an additional resource designed to help small and private forest owners get the information they need to develop the California Cooperative Forest Management Plan, which includes deciding what management steps should be taken and where to get them technically. And financial support.
“California small private owners need equipment and technical support to manage their forest lands to maintain forest health.” Stuart Macmuro, head of CAL FIRE’s wildfire resilience staff. “Forest owners do not always have the knowledge or skills to start a management plan, which is why the handbook was created.”
Four important issues are discussed in the guide:
- State your forest management objectives;
- Evaluate your current forest condition;
- Identifying hazards to your forest health; And
- Evaluate possible treatment options.
The California Cooperative Forest Management Plan (CCFMP) can be simple or complex depending on the landowner’s management goals and objectives. For those ‘do-it-yourself’ landowners, this handbook provides worksheets to guide you through basic management activities. Registered professional forest (RPF) is required to complete your management plan for landlords who are interested in participating in large packages, multiple goals, complex management tasks and cost-sharing programs (CFIP or EQIP). However, the manual could serve as an important first step in assisting landowners and conducting discussions with RPFs.
The guidebook can be found here and you can request dry copies by contacting your local CAL FIRE forest assistance specialist.
Handwriting authors Stuart McMuron, CAL FIRE (Stewart.mcmorrow@fire.ca.gov), Steve Ostoja, USDA California Climate Center (smostoja@ucdavis.edu) and Peter Stein Pacific Southwest Research Station (peter.stine@usda) Join. gov) For webinar on April 26, 5 pm – 6 pm. Learn the instructions and interact with programs and resources.
For California landowners who need additional assistance in understanding and developing the California Cooperative Forest Management Plan, consider enrolling in a series of forest management workshops organized by the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. The nine-week online workshop includes the following
- Forest Administration Objectives and Planning
- Forest health, insects and disease
- Forest and fire ecosystems, wildlife, reservoirs
- Oil reduction and forest resource trading
- Project Development and Licensing
- Access to professional help and cost sharing opportunities
Field Day Celebrations will cover Siliculture, Forestry and Mapping. You will be the participants who completed the workshop Eligible for a free site visit With a registered professional forester in California.
