Stumped Winter 2010
Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions
Q:What does it mean for a management plan to “address” resources elements such as forest health, soil, water, wood and fiber production, threatened and endangered species, special sites, invasive species, integrated pest management and high conservation value forests?
A: A management plan must address the listed resource elements and note that these elements were considered. If certain elements are not on the property or relevant to the management practices; then the recommendations or actions are not required to be included in the plan. For example, the Tree Farmer has reviewed the state heritage database and found that there are no listed species or special cultural sites on their property or in the immediate vicinity. The management plan should then state that a search of the state heritage database was done for the property and showed that there are no special sites.
Q:As an inspector, what sort of evidence should I look for to see if the Tree Farmer has met the Standards’ indicators?
A: There are several types of evidence that can show conformance to the Standards’ indicators: physical evidence, documentation, and interview evidence. Under physical evidence, you may see that the culverts installed before the Tree Farmer’s last harvest are in great shape and large enough for the size of the drainage. Under documentation, the management plan notes that the Tree Farmer worked with their forester to review special site databases developed by the state’s Extension department, with the search date and the results. Under interview evidence, you may note that the Tree Farmer works with SFI trained loggers for all harvests and thinning. These are examples, but remember to look for physical, documentation or interview evidence when assessing whether or not the Tree Farmer’s management meets AFF Standards.
Q:How can I get information from Tree Farm on a more regular basis?
A:Send us your email and we’ll send you our monthly e-newsletter; Sightline Express. Sightline Express provides inspectors with updates on the Tree Farm program in a concise, convenient format. Archives of Sightline Express can be found at www.treefarmsystem.org/sightline-newsletter. Email Inspectors@forestfoundation.org today to sign up!
Q:What are high conservation value forests and how can Tree Farmers tell if they have one on their property?
A: The 2010-2015 AFF Standards define high conservation value forests in the glossary as “forests of outstanding and critical importance due to their environmental, social, biodiversity or landscape values. Due to the small scale and low-intensity of family forest operations, informal assessment of HCVF occurrence through consultation with experts or review of available and accessible information is appropriate.” Tree Farmers can determine if they have areas of concern by consulting their state forestry agency or by referring to one of the special sites resources available on the Tree Farm website.
Q:How can a Tree Farmer “consider” integrated pest management in their management to control pest, pathogens, and unwanted vegetation?
A: Integrated pest management (IPM) is something that Tree Farmers have been doing for a long time. IPM is defined by the EPA as “a pest control strategy that uses a variety of complementary strategies including: mechanical devices, physical devices, genetic, biological or cultural management and chemical management.” IPM is weighing the different options and deciding what tools fit best with the landowner’s objectives.
