Syracuse.com - DEC offers free help to woodlot owners to combat emerald ash borer

[HuntingNY-News]

The tree-killing bug was discovered recently in Tioga County.

The following is a DEC press release:

With the recent discovery of Emerald Ash Borer in Tioga County, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reminds landowners with 10 or more forested acres that free assistance in managing their woodlot is available from DEC. The Cooperative Forest Management Program encourages private forest landowners in New York to apply sound management practices to their forest land. Forest landowners are encouraged to use this service to identify high risk areas within their forest and to develop a management plan to help keep theses forested areas productive and healthy.

“Well-managed wood lands can provide income, recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat and other values for owners. DEC supports the sustainable use of forest resources on private lands by helping private landowners become better forest stewards,” noted DEC Regional Director Ken Lynch.

Forest stewardship means setting and achieving objectives for your land while at the same time maintaining its environmental integrity for future generations. Stewardship objectives may include a variety of benefits such as timber production, wildlife habitat, aesthetics, recreation and protection of soil and water.

Under the Cooperative Forest Management Program a DEC service forester will visit the woodlot and accompany the landowner on a tour to outline the existing forest management opportunities. The forester will then develop a free forest stewardship plan with recommendations that reflect the landowner’s goals and objectives while incorporating good forest practices.

The forest stewardship management plan will enable property owners to realize multiple benefits from their land. In addition, by having a forest stewardship plan, the landowner may be eligible to apply for EQIP forestry funding to help complete some of the recommendations in the plan.

Whatever a landowner’s goals may be, DEC private land foresters are available to help clearly identify objectives, develop a plan to achieve those objectives and assist landowners in becoming a steward of their forest land.

For further information on this program, or to arrange for a forester to visit your woodlot of ten acres or more, contact Matt Swayze at the DEC’s Division of Lands and Forest office in Cortland at 607-753-3095 ext. 220.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog