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Free On-Line Course for Local Officials and Woodland Owners: Forest Planning for Wisconsin�s Future By Bobbie
Webster, Project Coordinator What if Wisconsin�s privately owned forests were replaced with or became fragmented beyond repair by residential and commercial developments? Almost sixty percent or nearly ten million acres of our forestland would be missing. Maybe you do not give forests much thought. But do you hunt, fish, mountain bike, snowmobile or ride an ATV? Maybe you like to hike, camp, canoe, view wildlife, pick berries or collect morels. Chances are that you enjoy breathing clean air and drinking clean water. Did you know that the average Wisconsinite consumes about 1,600 pounds of forest products a year in building supplies, newsprint, writing paper, tissue paper, product packaging and mail?1 Everyone has an interest in Wisconsin forests and should have a voice in their management. Planning for forests is important if we are going to sustain their role in our economy, protect our remaining clean air and water, and enjoy the recreational value of forests in the future. The Center for Land Use Education has just released a free on-line course called Forest Planning for Wisconsin�s Future. It is written to assist local officials, forestland owners and the public with forest planning and plan implementation. The course is funded in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Environmental Education Board. This user-friendly website has three main sections: Case Studies Showcasing Forest Conservation Tools Used in Wisconsin This section offers insight into the why and how of establishing a County Forest, starting a county Purchase of Development Rights program, establishing a county Stewardship Fund, donating a working forest conservation easement, and purchasing forestland outright. The cases described should help private landowners and local governments explore new ways to manage forestland. The individuals listed at the end of each case study are willing to answer additional questions. County Reference Pages This section includes data and maps showing the acreage and percent of forestland by county, location and ownership patterns of forestland, and the economic value of forest industry to each county. Individuals from local, regional and state organizations who can help with forest planning in your community are also listed. Local government officials may find the county reference pages useful for identifying and contacting stakeholders and interested parties that should be included in a forest planning process. These pages can also help residents and landowners get involved in local forest planning. Forest Planning Process This section begins with a description of what planning is and describes each step of a planning cycle as it applies to forested land. The planning process section includes frequent links to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources� recently released Planner�s Toolbox, which includes forest statistics and maps, model language for forest-related goals, objectives and policies, and a list of grants, plans, programs, and other resources. Figure 1 illustrates the planning process described in the Forest Planning Process section of the website. Two points worth mentioning are that the process is cyclical and that education and public participation are crucial throughout. 1. Decide to plan for forests � Describes economic, ecological and social/cultural benefits of forests and potential consequences of not planning for forests. 2. Plan for planning � Describes how to develop a planning timeline and assign responsibilities. 3. Inventory and analyze trends � Provides links to forestland data compiled by county and describes state trends. 4. Create goals and objectives � Distinguishes between goals and objectives and provides examples of forest-related goals and objectives. 5. Select implementation tools � Includes a table explaining the wide range of policy and incentive tools that local governments, organizations and landowners can use to implement their goals. 6. Obtain public approval � Describes how community plans are formally adopted by local elected officials. Public involvement throughout the process can help to streamline plan adoption. 7. Implement plan � Helps communities move their plans into action by identifying achievable implementation steps, assigning responsibility, developing a timeline for implementation, and following through. 8. Monitor performance � Describes the importance of collecting data over time and periodically analyzing the data to learn about what is happening and why.
We challenge you, Wisconsin�s forest users, to visit this informational website, www.uwsp.edu/cnr/landcenter/forestplanning.html and learn something new about Wisconsin�s forest lands. After visiting this website, you will be better prepared to participate in local discussions regarding how best to manage our forests. These discussions and the plans they produce will determine the quality of forest resources we leave for our future generations. For additional information on the Forest Planning for Wisconsin�s Future project, contact Project Coordinator, Bobbie Webster at 715-346-2407 or bwebster@uwsp.edu. This article has been reviewed for form and content by Lynn Markham and Rebecca Roberts of the Center for Land Use Education. Any errors, mistakes and omissions remain the responsibility of the author. 1 Wisconsin Governor's Forestry Council. No date. Questions and Answers about Wisconsin�s Forests. [Pamphlet]. Available: http://wisconsincountyforests.com/qa-forst.htm. |
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