Forest Management Public Summary for Bobcat Ridge, Anderson County, Texas

FSC Certificate Number: SCS-FM/COC-00102N SFI Certificate Number: NSF-SFIS-6R031 Year certified: 2013 Working Forest Fund, The Conservation Fund, 410 Market Street, Suite 360, Chapel Hill NC 27516

a) Management Objectives The Conservation Fund (TCF) took title to Bobcat Ridge as part of its Working Forest Fund (WFF) in the fall of 2011. They intend to hold and manage the property for the length of time necessary to strategically transact fee and easement sales which meet the goals of TCF funding partners. It will be managed to maximize value to the WFF, while implementing innovative strategic conservation practices, with a goal to bolster the economic and social considerations of the local community, as well maintaining consistent positive representation with key conservation partners.

Specific objectives are: conservation values including wildlife habitat, water quality, soil protection, and aesthetics will be protected and enhanced. As a local landowner, TCF will be a good neighbor and community citizen, timber management will continue to provide jobs, Ad valorem taxes will be paid, and existing tenant relationship will be maintained and enhanced. Forest management practices will adhere to sound silvicultural practices and be an example of “Excellent Forestry” that will please our partners yet maintain financial stability. Excellent Forestry is defined by the Forest Guild as “forestry that is ecologically, economically, and socially responsible.” All harvest operations will adhere to the Best Management Practices (BMP) in Texas and management decisions will be made with the goal of maintaining and improving key partner relationships.

b) Description of the Forest Resources The Conservation Fund (TCF) acquired Bobcat Ridge in September 2011. Bobcat Ridge is an area which encompasses approximately 7,051 acres adjacent to the Neches River in Anderson County, Texas. Part of Bobcat Ridge is within the acquisition boundary of the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and it includes over 11 miles of river frontage along the upper reaches of the Neches River.

Bobcat Ridge is an integral part of TCF’s larger East Texas conservation initiative to provide permanent protection to key tracts along the Neches River to establish a continuous corridor of conservation. Management of Bobcat Ridge over the next decade will involve the implementation of strategic conservation–based forest management strategies to enhance forest health, improve biodiversity, restore native habitats, and bolster migratory bird habitat.

The ownership surrounding Bobcat Ridge is dominated by Timber Investment Management Organization (TIMO) owned land, but public ownership is also a significant player. There are four state owned and managed wildlife management areas in the vicinity, as well as the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge and the Davy Crockett National Forest. This project is a part of a collaborative effort to conserve lands in and around the new federal Neches River NWR, and is also part of a larger landscape-scale initiative along the entire river corridor that links 618,000 acres of protected federal, state, and private lands. c) Description of Silvicultural Systems

All silvicultural operations will be conducted to continually improve species composition for long-term habitat improvement/maintenance and to promote commercially viable forest products and enhance non-timber revenue opportunities like recreational leases.

Initial efforts will focus on thinning young loblolly pine plantations to reduce basal area, improve growth and yield, reduce hazardous fuel conditions, and improve wildlife habitat. Most of these stands are due or past due for first thinning. Row thinning will be utilized to produce adequate spacing, and cull trees (which includes forked trees, suppressed trees, and diseased trees) will be targeted for removal between rows.

Each stand selected for harvest will be delineated by natural boundaries such as river, roads, creeks, and drains, and by colored flagging. Stand maps will be furnished and acres will be calculated along with volume estimates for each stand. Special care will be taken to protect all creeks, drains, and sensitive areas.

d) Annual Harvest A 75 year planning horizon was used for annual harvest modelling. This encapsulates 3 rotations of the managed pine stands and provides an estimate of the sustainable allowable yield for the property. Based on model results, the average sustained annual yield for Bobcat Ridge is approximately 20,000 tons/year. The model results and projected harvest volumes are used to guide management decisions each year.

e) Monitoring A fundamental aspect of our dual mission of conservation and sustainable economic development at Bobcat Ridge is the establishment of a set of measurable conservation based objectives and viability thresholds for key components of biodiversity. Monitoring of conservation targets will include regular assessment and tracking of indicators that must be maintained to ensure the long-term viability of targets. TCF in cooperation with our partners at the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Texas Forest Service and National Wild Turkey Federation, has identified six key conservation targets on the property that are indicative of the biodiversity on the landscape.

f) Environmental Safeguards based on Environmental Assessment

All harvest operations will adhere to the Best Management Practices (BMP) guidelines set forth in the Texas Forest Service handbook. BMPs are guidelines designed to minimize erosion, protect water quality, and maintain wildlife habitat during forestry operations. One such practice includes maintaining a 50 foot forested buffer along streams. These areas are called Streamside Management Zones (SMZs), and can be harvested but should have at least 50 square feet of basal area or 50% crown cover at all times. All harvest contracts specify that harvest operations must comply with BMPs and that logging contractors are Pro or Master Logger certified through the Texas Forestry Association or the Louisiana Forestry Association.

g) Rare, Threatened, & Endangered Species The East Texas Ecosystem has a significant amount of forested, scrub-shrub, emergent, aquatic bed, and other palustrine and lacustrine wetlands. These wetlands and deep water areas provide habitat for large numbers of migratory waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, and resident species of amphibians, reptiles and mammals. Reservoirs and streams provide significant sport fisheries and some commercial operations. Both bottomland and upland woodlands, savannah, and grasslands provide breeding and migratory habitat for neotropical migrants. Remnant areas of shortleaf pine and native prairie also occur.

This ecosystem is the major bald eagle nesting and wintering area of Texas and contains all of the state's extant habitat for red-cockaded woodpeckers. It includes former range of the Louisiana black bear and potential habitat for reintroduction or natural expansion of that species, and the endangered Houston toad occurs in eight of its counties. Currently, 9 endangered species, 2 threatened species, 1 proposed species, 3 candidate species, and 43 species of concern are known to occur within the boundaries of the East Texas Ecosystem. Coordination with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the US Fish and Wildlife Service will make sure that forest managers are working with the most current understanding of forest ecosystems and how protect their rare values.

Typical examples include; 1.) chainsaw feller with crawler or rubber-tired cable skidder and hand limbing, 2.) tracked or rubber-tired feller-buncher with grapple skidder and stationary delimber, 3.) in- woods processing, involving a tracked harvesting machine which cuts, limbs and bucks products in the woods which are then carried to the road by a machine called a forwarder.

Forest Management Public Summary for East Grand, Aroostook County, Maine

FSC Certificate Number: SCS-FM/COC-00102N SFI Certificate Number: NSF-SFIS-6R031 Year certified: 2013 Working Forest Fund, The Conservation Fund, 410 Market Street, Suite 360, Chapel Hill NC 27516

a) Management Objectives Management objectives are to increase the value, both near and long term, of the investment, to derive operating income from the land and manage it in an environmentally sensitive manner. The property is managed by working with the natural ecosystem dynamics to produce merchantable timber and fiber. Natural regeneration is the main method for forest renewal. Professional foresters are employed to produce and execute landscape and site specific operational plans. Constraints imposed include: abide by the FSC and SFI forest management standards; ensure a base level of economic production; maintain a base level of property value; maintain or enhance forest productivity; and protect rare or special plants, animals, and sites.

b) Description of the Forest Resources The ownership managed rights consist of four tracts in southeastern Aroostook County. Two tracts are located in Orient and two are located in Weston. These holds are in one biophysical zone, the Maine – New Brunswick biophysical region.

The Eastern Lowlands Region includes the extensive lowlands west of the St. Croix River. Elevations range from 400’ to 600’ except for several hills (> 1000’) in the East Grand Lake area. The landscape is one of low relief and contains the largest concentration of peatlands, marshes, and swamps in the state.

The forest classification system currently being used is termed “MOIST”. This system was designed to allow stands to be grouped into stages within development pathways. There are five broad species compositional classification units, which are further broken down into four product classes, and four canopy closure (stand density) classes.

The majority of neighboring lands are owned by timber companies and managed for forestry.

c) Description of Silvicultural Systems The management plan directs silvicultural (vegetation) management for meeting the goals of the landowner. Silviculture is the science of adaptive forest ecology. It encompasses the knowledge and actions that are employed to manage forests to maintain and enhance their utility to the landowner. Methods of intervention on the natural dynamics of forest stands must be carefully assessed to create the most productive potential for the land and landowners.

Forest stands follow predictable pathways in their evolution: stand initiation, stem exclusion, understory rehabilitation, and old growth. Possible silvicultural treatments change as the stands age and pass through these stages. Both even-age management and uneven-aged management are used at the property, and are selected on a case-by-case basis. d) Annual Harvest The model will be run to optimize growth (Periodic Annual Increment calculated by the model). Harvest levels produced by this method do not result in inventory “crashes” as in standard MIN/MAX optimization. However, without some constraints, the model will attempt to push all acres into the yield curve “sweet spot” of maximum growth (approximately 30 to 50 years). The age constraints built into the silvicultural actions constrain this. In addition, we define mature stands as those that are greater than 40 years old and have greater than 80% crown closure (no shelterwood entries). This definition is used to retain adequate marten habitat on the landscape. The model will be constrained to keep at least a minimum number of acres in this condition at all times.

The calculated sustainable harvest level from the model (0.35 cords/acre/year) will be used to set operational goals. The harvest level is calculated by major species group.

Note that only productive, non-regulatory (riparian) acres will be included in the model. The primary purpose of riparian areas is to maintain structure, water quality and habitat. Timber harvesting will occur in these areas, but it is not appropriate to model these harvests in a way that maximizes sustainable harvest levels. Since these areas are not included in the model, harvests from this area add a conservative factor to the calculated sustainable harvest level. In addition, typically the recommended harvest level from the cedar type is higher than we believe acceptable, both biologically and economically. The total sustainable harvest will be reduced. It is expected that the operational harvest will deviate from the modeled harvest. As long as these harvests remain within 5% of the goal no action will be taken. If the volume is beyond this limit then plans will be reviewed for subsequent years.

e) Monitoring Monitoring and assessment will include inventories conducted for management planning at 10-year intervals, as well as pre-harvest, post-harvest, and 1-year post harvest evaluations. HRC foresters monitor the condition and health of the forests. The Insect and Disease Management Division (I&DM) of the Maine Forest Service also conducts state level assessments.

Additional annual monitoring of roads and erosion issues, HCVF or RSA as appropriate, invasive species, or other impacts will occur and be recorded in annual monitoring report.

f) Environmental Safeguards based on Environmental Assessment Best Management Practices (BMP’s) are guidelines for the reduction of erosion and sedimentation of water bodies (streams, ponds, lakes, rivers, etc.) from logging activities. They were developed by the Maine Forest Service and the Department of Environmental Protection and are based on Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) standards. Erosion and the resulting water-Body sedimentation, also known as non-point source pollution, have far-reaching impacts. Operations will utilize BMP’s to protect and enhance water quality around our forest management activities.

g) Rare, Threatened, & Endangered Species The Maine Department of Conservation’s Natural Areas Program is responsible for identifying and listing the rare plants and unique ecosystems in the state. Protection of rare sites is voluntary as there are no restrictive laws associated with listing.

While the property does have several areas of ecological interest, the property is not significantly unique compared with other properties in northern Maine to call for unique management constraints at this time. To meet the landowner goals and objectives, the management plan may wish to address current deficiencies and allow for future development of certain high conservation values.

h) Harvesting Systems Description and justification of harvesting techniques and equipment to be used

The Conservation Fund engages with loggers who use many types and configurations of logging equipment which are highly dependent upon on site characteristics, species type and regional product markets. Each equipment combination has its advantages and disadvantages. Flexibility in equipment choice is important to meet landowner objectives and as technology changes .

Forest Management Public Summary for Eastern Shore Forests, Accomack & Northampton, Virginia

FSC Certificate Number: SCS-FM/COC-00102N SFI Certificate Number: NSF-SFIS-6R031 Year certified: 2013 Working Forest Fund, The Conservation Fund, 410 Market Street, Suite 360, Chapel Hill NC 27516

a) Management Objectives The Eastern Shore Forests comprise about 8,600 acres located in 60+ separate tracts in the Eastern Shore Counties of Accomack and Northampton, Virginia. Many of the tracts are small and relatively isolated. The forests were purchased in September 1999, from Chesapeake Forest Products Company, a long-time integrated forest products company with extensive operations in Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware.

The goals and objectives for the property are: 1) to create a sustainable forestry project that is economically self-supporting and contributes to the state and local economy 2) to implement land management strategies that support abundant and diverse plant and animal life, 3) improve water quality and provide recreation opportunities, 4) to manage in accordance with the FSC and SFI Principles and Criteria and 5) to ensure compliance with the Hunt Club Licenses.

To the extent that the property is able, within its size and capabilities, the forest management program will support the regional Chesapeake Bay Program. In addition, the property will, without cost or obligation to the people of Virginia, contribute what it can to the Virginia Department of Forestry’s major strategic objectives.

b) Description of the Forest Resources Historic land cover shows the region was dominated by hardwood forests mixed with pine softwoods. The oak species present included white oak, willow oak, pin oak and cherry bark oak. Other hardwood trees found historically on the Eastern Shore include sweetgum, silver and red maple, black gum, dogwood, birch, beech, bay, and holly. “In very wet areas some black pine and pond pine grow; cypress was plentiful in the swamps. Loblolly pine and Virginia pine probably were also present, but these trees were not found in pure stands until after many areas had been cleared of hardwoods. The northern range of natural loblolly pine runs roughly through the middle of the Eastern Shore, with hardwoods increasingly dominating stands as one moves northward through the region. Loblolly pine became dominant in heavily cut areas and on abandoned cropland. Virginia Pine became dominate in areas of sandier more droughty soils.”(Somerset, 1966)

Practically no virgin forests remain on the Eastern Shore, and most forests have been cut several times. Many areas (including many that are once again in forest) have been cleared for conversion to agriculture in the past. The loblolly-shortleaf pine group makes up two-thirds of the forests, and virtually all of them (97%) are in private ownership. There are no longer any forests owned by large integrated forest industry companies. There is a small federal (National Park Service) ownership in Accomack County. Agriculture and forestry are the most common industries on the Eastern Shore. Farming includes field crops such as soybeans, small grain, corn and vegetables. Forest products are also a significant source of income. Forested lands are also used for recreational purposes and hunting leases are a common income generator.

The majority of the Eastern Shore Forests are composed of loblolly pine plantations, with a few pine- hardwood and hardwood-pine stands included. (Loblolly pine in this plan is defined as 75% or more of the stand composition is pine; Pine-hardwood has 50-75% pine; Hardwood-pine has 25-50% pine; mixed hardwood stands have less than 25% pine.) As a small landownership made up of small tracts, the Eastern Shore Forests make minor contributions to the public values associated with forests. However, by assuring that these lands remain in forest in a landscape dominated by water, agriculture, and development, the tracts bring an important level of diversity to the area. Recreation is served through the hunt club leases that provide access to the properties for legal hunting and associated activities. c) Description of Silvicultural Systems Management of loblolly pine on the Lower Eastern Shore varies considerably from practices elsewhere in the Southeast. For the most part, Lower Eastern Shore landowners choose to manage extensively, rather than intensively. Many stands are managed for natural regeneration and long rotations, typically 40-60 years old. Most landowners do not incorporate a mid-rotation thinning as part of their management regimes. Additionally, most regeneration is done with minor site preparation, typically only a chemical release treatment. Intensive management practices that are common elsewhere in the Southeast such as mid-rotation fertilization and competition control, pre-commercial thinning to control sapling stocking, and bedding for site-preparation, are not common on the Lower Eastern Shore, although they are occasionally pursued. The age distribution is fairly normal on the Eastern Shore Forests. Management since 2000 has been focused on thinning young stands. There has been minimal final harvest, since the stands were so young, but those harvests as well as second thinnings, will be able to increase in the future. This should have the effect of increasing the area of younger (< 10 yr) stands to further improve the age distribution. The management of the forests is guided by a zone system with four management zones designed to provide a balance of economic and environmental values. Management of the zones ranges from tracts appropriate for high production commercial forestry with loblolly pine to larger tracts that can provide interior forest conditions and stands that either already have high ecological values these values could be cultivated. There are also reserves which are maintained in their current condition and allowed to succeed naturally with little or no management intervention unless needed to address invasive exotic species or other problems.

d) Annual Harvest Since 2002 the average annual harvest has been around 12,500 tons per year. With these stands now beginning to reach more merchantable ages that will increase both second thinning and harvest opportunities, the prospect of averaging some 18,000 tons of harvest per year over a decade seems likely. If achieved, that seems to be well within the total growth potential of these forests.

e) Monitoring Timber harvest is closely monitored, including data on amounts removed, type of harvested material, identity of contractor and buyer, financial details and, in the case of partial harvests, post-harvest inventory. These data are maintained in a timber harvest data base and a GIS information system by the consulting forester. Regular reports are provided to the landowner and are available for analysis and interpretation. Regeneration surveys are carried out after the second growing season on new stands to assure that natural regeneration is resulting in an acceptable stand. If natural regeneration is inadequate, planting plans are made and carried out to assure proper reforestation. The managers conduct assessments of high risk areas or sensitive ecosystems that need additional protection under the forest management plan using available data. Where such areas are identified, they will be located on the GIS with appropriate flags that will alert managers of any nearby activities that should include appropriate protections.

f) Environmental Safeguards based on Environmental Assessment Best management practices (BMP) compliance will be written into all thinning and harvest contracts. BMP enforcement will be by field checks on a weekly basis or oftener if needed. Particular attention will be placed on deck location and management, oil leaks and spills, road maintenance, prevention of rutting in roads and skid trails, and observance of all riparian and wetland buffer prescriptions. Stream crossings are rare, but where needed, will be properly installed and maintained.

BMP checklists are filled out for each BMP compliance visit and filed in the job files. Action items are discussed with the contractor, and appropriate follow-up is done to assure and document the correction of any non-compliance. Where a correction is needed, it will be noted on the BMP checklist, the contractor will be notified, and a follow-up note will be placed in the work list at the office. Final BMP approval will not be granted until all corrections have been completed and the job re-inspected.

g) Rare, Threatened, & Endangered Species The managers have conducted analysis to determine the presence of any High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF) on the property. With small tracts consisting almost entirely of pine plantations created by former owners, no HCVF is present at this time. Under the current plan, with full protection for bottomland hardwoods and some reserves that include upland stands, it may be possible that some HCVF will emerge over time.

Management opportunities for wildlife include provision of habitat conditions that are critical to rare or declining species such as the Delmarva Fox Squirrel and the Bald Eagle. Some critical habitat conditions will require adjustment of spatial and temporal provision of early successional pine habitats. Other critical habitat conditions will require incorporation of additional vegetative diversity by allowing hardwoods to re-infiltrate or dominate on some sites. Finally, some critical habitat conditions will require adjustment of rotation length to provide for forests that are allowed to grow beyond economic maturity.

h) Harvesting Systems

Forest Management Public Summary for McConnell Pond, Essex County, Vermont

FSC Certificate Number: SCS-FM/COC-00102N SFI Certificate Number: NSF-SFIS-6R031 Year certified: 2013 Working Forest Fund, The Conservation Fund, 410 Market Street, Suite 360, Chapel Hill NC 27516

a) Management Objectives The Conservation Fund ‘s objective is to manage this property as a long term, economically attractive investment, with sound forest stewardship.

Management Strategies include: 1) managing the property as a model of sustainable, multiple use forest management including traditional forest products and recreational uses as well as the latest ecosystem based, landscape level management practices which recognize and incorporate the ecological aspects of neighboring lands, 2) enhancing forest productivity and income potential through appropriate silvicultural prescriptions, 3) and managing for a diversity of forest successional stages that provide a variety of habitat characteristics, such as young shrubby forests and older multi-aged forests, to promote healthy populations of wildlife species, as recommended by appropriate wildlife biologists.

b) Description of the Forest Resources

International Paper owned parts of the property back to 1898. By 1948 International Paper owned the entire property as it is configured today. The Conservation Fund purchased the property from International Paper in 1994.

The property has been actively managed since the turn of the century, as part of a large land base to supply wood to pulp and paper mills owned by International Paper Company. The overall species composition of the tract was influenced by the harvest history. The extensive clear cutting of softwood stands increased the stocking of balsam fir at the expense of red spruce. Additionally, on more upland softwood sites stands shifted from spruce-fir to mixed wood types with increases in red maple and yellow birch stocking.This parcel consists of approximately 4090 acres in Brighton and 433 acres in Ferdinand making a total of 4523 acres. All of the property is in one contiguous block that lies north of Vermont Route 105.

These lands are located amid more than 200,000 acres of conserved lands. This undeveloped expanse of forests, mountain peaks, ponds, and streams contributes greatly to the character of this region. In addition, these lands are important to the quality of life in the "Northeast Kingdom" and surrounding area. These lands have long contributed to the local forest-based economy, provided important fish and wildlife habitats, and been a place for public recreation. Notable neighboring properties include the USF&W Service with 26,000 acres that consists of the Nulhegan River Watershed, and Plum Creek’s eased lands with 84,000 acres across much of Essex County. Additionally this tract lies near the Wenlock Wildlife Management area owned by the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Recreation on these lands largely mimics recreation on other large industrial forestlands across the Northern Forest. Public access has always been allowed for uses such as hunting, fishing, trapping, and bushwhacking. In keeping with these traditional uses The Conservation Fund has and will continue to permit these dispersed pedestrian uses of the property. While the road system was historically open to public access, the deterioration of some sections of roads and the expense associated with their maintenance resulted in vehicular access being limited, except for a period starting at the beginning of the annual moose season and ending at the beginning of the snowmobiling season.

The ownership also has a longstanding recreational camp lot leasing program. Presently there are nine camp lot leases on the tract. Camp leases allow individuals or private associations to occupy and maintain privately owned camps for recreational purposes at a specified site for a specified period.

c) Description of Silvicultural Systems Softwood stands tend to be on the lower slopes and associated with wetland areas. Hardwood types tend to be located on the higher elevations. Mixed wood types dominate the mid-slopes and transitional areas. Approximately 36% of the property is hardwood types, 15% softwoods and 49% mixed woods.

The Conservation Fund will utilize harvesting strategies that will promote maintaining approximately 5%-10% of the ownership in early successional (0-20 year old age class) forest types. This amounts to 165 to 330 acres of forest land in the 0-20 year age class. The majority of this early successional acreage will be in the General Forest Management (GFM) compartment of the property, and will be applied through a series of clearcuts that will range in size from 1 acre to as much as 20 acres or more Clearcuts will shift through the GFM management area in a fashion that allows previous harvest areas to mature, unless special circumstances (e.g, ideal location for focal species management accompanied by outside funding) dictate otherwise. In addition, biophysical features such as topography, soil type, and forest type will be used to guide the size and shape of the clearcut treatment(s) being applied.

d) Annual Harvest The stands on McConnell Pond have been periodically entered for silvicultural treatments due to the even-aged nature of the stands, and major natural disturbances including a spruce budworm outbreak. The 1996 management plan by Wagner Woodlands, LTD estimated growth rates at approximately .33 cords per acre per year. This is low compared to other large properties in the area, particularly those with similar stocking of softwood pole timber. Though the management on this property will be more of a blend of achieving a sustainable allowable cut and responding to overall stand conditions, an assumed annual growth rate of .42 to .45 cords per acre per year is not unreasonable. In addition, the previous management plan called for an annual harvest of 500 cords per year over the first 20 years, largely in improvement harvests. For these reasons this plan recommends an average annual harvest of 1000 cords per year over the next ten years. In keeping with the previous plan and the goals for the ownership, these are recommended in stands where improvement cuts will increase the vigor of the residual stand. In addition, some harvesting for the creation of wildlife openings, as well as work to increase the softwood stocking in mixed wood stands and salvage of wind throw in softwood stands is expected.

e) Monitoring

Monitoring and assessment will include inventories conducted for management planning at 10-year intervals, as well as pre-harvest, post-harvest, and 1-year post harvest evaluations.

Additional annual monitoring of roads and erosion issues, HCVF or RSA as appropriate, invasive species, or other impacts will occur and be recorded in annual monitoring report.

f) Environmental Safeguards based on Environmental Assessment Every effort is made to meet or exceed all recommended practices described in the Vermont AMPs or another Best Management Practice (BMP) standard of equal or greater level of protection. Results of monitoring will be used to improve practices relative to BMPs and AMPs.

g) Rare, Threatened, & Endangered Species (plans for identification) The Vermont Natural Heritage Program has identified no species of significance on the ecoregion scale on the property. Species of State significance are present and include: Common Loon, Black-backed woodpecker, spruce grouse, osprey, and northern harrier. A great blue heron rookery is present on the property, and managers have noted evidence of Canada lynx in the last two years. Vernal pools are also present and have been located by managers. Some wetland plants of State significance are also present, but these are limited to non-forested wetland areas.

Forest Management Public Summary for Penfield Forest, Clearfield County, PA

FSC Certificate Number: SCS-FM/COC-00102N SFI Certificate Number: NSF-SFIS-6R031 Year certified: Working Forest Fund, The Conservation Fund, 410 Market Street, Suite 360, Chapel Hill NC 27516

a) Management Objectives TCF is committed to the Principles and Criteria of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and to maintaining the annual independent certification under those systems. The following strategic goals are consistent across every Working Forest Fund project: to create a sustainable forestry project that is economically self-supporting and contributes to the state and local economy; to implement land management strategies that support abundant and diverse plant and animal life, improve water quality, and provide recreation opportunities; and to implement land management strategies that will result in the property being eligible for forest certification by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).

b) Description of the Forest Resources The Penfield Forest, a 2,041 acre property in Huston and Sandy Townships, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. Penfield Forest is made up of 5 separate tracts. All 5 tracts are either within close proximity to or adjacent to PA state-owned land. Hoyt Run and Sandy Lick Creek Tracts are within approximately one mile of PA’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Moshannon State Forest.

All of the Penfield Forest tracts are primarily wooded. Access to each tract is decent as access roads have been developed for both gas and timber, prior to TCF’s ownership. TCF took title to these tracts as part of the first contribution to the Working Forest Fund (WFF) in the fall of 2009. These tracts have been actively accessed for both gas and timber production for the last decades. All of the tracts have been heavily logged within the last 10 years. Unfortunately, the logging method utilized was “high- grading,” which is an improper form of forest management where the best and most valuable trees are harvested and the lower value trees are left behind.

However, the loggers were inconsistent with their harvesting practice from property to property and sometimes even within a property. In other words, while the intent was the same on each tract, the results differed. Therefore, some tracts have very little quality timber left, while others have above average timber in many locations. On the whole, individual trees that remain are lower in quality and vigor than the ones that were harvested. The improper forest management of the previous decade has impacted the quality of the timber at Penfield Forest.

c) Description of Silvicultural Systems All forest management activities will be specifically chosen and implemented at a stand level within each Penfield Forest tract. The variables of species composition, quality, stocking, and understory conditions within each stand will all be observed/measured and utilized to determine the proper improvement harvest tool/activity to employ in each stand within each tract at Penfield Forest. TCF does not have a problem with some stands receiving no treatment at all. Additionally, as finances permit, herbicide and controlled burning may be utilized to enhance and improve understory conditions at Penfield Forest.

The techniques that will be used include crop tree release (most commonly), shelterwood harvest, seed tree harvest, and clearcutting.

d) Annual Harvest

Penfield Forest was harvested heavily by previous owners and there are few opportunities for sustainable harvests at this time. An inventory was completed in 2013, and opportunity was noted for early successional habitat creation and maintenance, specifically for Golden Winged Warbler in partnership with NRCS. Beyond this, no activity is planned in the near term.

e) Monitoring Provisions The forest managers will regularly monitor Penfield Forest for any changes that could interfere with TCF’s stated objectives. Monitoring will occur in conjunction with AFC’s other duties at Penfield Forest, but will also occur as a sole purpose mission. Annual monitoring for condition of roads, HCVF/RSA, invasive species will occur.

f) Environmental Safeguards based on Environmental Assessment

Of course, all management activities will be subject to the Best Management Practices for Pennsylvania Forests as well as Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory summary outputs.

Best Management Practices for Pennsylvania Forests will be followed including:

The Pennsylvania State University, “Best Management Practices for Pennsylvania Forests – Promoting forest stewardship through education, cooperation, and voluntary action;” Prepared by the Best Management Practices task force, under the auspices of the Forest Issues Working Group, Shelby E. Chunko, editor; 2001

Penn State Cooperative Extension College of Agricultural Sciences – Forest Stewardship Series #12, “Best Management Practices for Pennsylvania Forests”, 2008

g) Rare, Threatened, & Endangered Species According to best available information, Penfield Forest has no known occurrences on any of rare, threatened or endangered species on its tracts. The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) is a member of NatureServe, an international network of natural heritage programs that gather and provide information on the location and status of important ecological resources (plants, vertebrates, invertebrates, natural communities and geologic features). PNHP information can be used to guide conservation work and land-use planning, ensuring the maximum conservation benefit with the minimum cost.

Forest Management Public Summary for Success Pond, Coos County, New Hampshire

FSC Certificate Number: SCS-FM/COC-00102N SFI Certificate Number: NSF-SFIS-6R031 Year certified: 2013 Working Forest Fund, The Conservation Fund, 410 Market Street, Suite 360, Chapel Hill NC 27516

a) Management Objectives Located in northeastern New Hampshire, the Success Pond property was acquired in 2012 by The Conservation Fund. TCF is managing the tract for sustainable forest stewardship. To this end, the property is managed in compliance with Sustainable Forestry Institute (SFI) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Principles and Criteria. The current management plan looks forward a decade and is summarized below.

The tract is managed to meet multiple management objectives, including:1) generate a sufficient dividend from the stumpage flow to meet annual fiscal objectives, 2)utilize management practices that will increase the sawtimber component of the forest on the whole, 3) capture current timber value from stands where decline or maturity put the value of the current overstory at risk, especially where suitable advanced regeneration is present, 4) maintain the value of the internal road system; provide for continued use of the ownership by the general public for outdoor recreation activities, 5) and manage in accordance with the FSC and SFI Principles and Criteria.

b) Description of the Forest Resources Near the Maine-New Hampshire border, Success Pond creates a linkage between the White Mountain National Forest, Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, and many private lands in creating an expansive forested landscape. The Success Pond tract is 8,771 acres of northern hardwood, mixed hardwood- softwood, and softwood forests. The tract is one contiguous block of land which was previously managed by a large timberland investment management organization (TIMO). Neighboring parcels are also predominately timberland and are owned by a variety of entities including investors, the state of Maine, and private landowners.

From a regional perspective, the vast Spruce-fir region (boreal forest type) starts to reach its southern limit at Success Pond, and the Northern Hardwood Forest – the primary species being Sugar maple, Yellow birch, and American beech –approaches its northern limit. The primary forest types on the Success Pond property is Northern Hardwood. Northern Hardwood stands represent approximately 63% of the commercial forest acres on the tract. Hardwood dominated mixed wood covers approximately 11%, softwood dominated mixed wood approximately 11%, and softwood stands approximately 15% of the commercial forest acres on the tract.. In total, there are approximately 8448 commercial acres.

Wildlife is abundant throughout the property. Both game and non-game species can be found without much difficulty. Game species include Grouse, Moose, Whitetail deer, Snowshoe hare, and Coyote. Trout are present in Success Pond, Chickwolnepy Stream, Black Strap Brook, and Silver Stream. Non- game species include Owls, Nuthatches, voles, various songbirds, and Canada Lynx. North of road 01- 02-00 located near stands 1147 and 1149 many pink Lady slippers were observed during field reconnaissance in 2005. There is also an abundance of mushrooms and other wild edibles (i.e. raspberries and blackberries) present.

The soils found on the Success Pond tract reflect a broad range of productive site quality. Soils range from moderately well drained to poorly drained conditions. Within this very broad range of topographic and other resource conditions there is a broad variability on an acre-to-acre basis of the soil composition and site quality.

c) Description of Silvicultural Systems There are two basic types of silvicultural systems employed at Success Pond. Each system utilizes a number of methods to achieve and/or maintain the desired age class distribution. All decisions on which system and method to employ must be made on a stand-by-stand or site specific basis to ensure that all landowner objectives are met. There is always more than one approach applicable to a given site. A balance between economic and ecological objectives is used to determine the best-fit option. Optimally stand information should include stand structure, condition, seral stage, and the silvicultural characteristics of the species present and the interactions between them.

Uneven-aged stand maintenance or creation is accomplished by the use of either the singletree selection method or the group selection method. These methods, when applied to stands of mixed species growing on productive sites, ultimately tips the ecological balance in favor of shade tolerant long-lived species. Where such species are of acceptable commercial value, this is the method of choice. The classic examples of this combination are the Northern Hardwood forest (i.e. beech birch maple type) and the Northern Conifer (spruce-fir) type, which are found throughout the northern parts of the Lake States, New York, and New England.

A combination of even-aged and irregular even-aged silviculture will be used on the Success tract. Traditional even-aged management involves creating stands where all trees are within a similar age class. Irregular even-aged management involves creating irregularly shaped stands that have two and sometimes three age classes. Stands that have three age classes on Success do not fit the typical uneven aged model. The age classes are not uniformly spaced and do not occupy equal area. Some of these uneven-aged stands arose due to past management activities. Others will be created under the TCF ownership while working in some of the high-risk softwood stands. The goal is to create some age class diversity yet still achieve the benefits of even-aged practices.

d) Annual Harvest Based growth simulations conducted by TCF in 2013 using recent timber inventory the Success ownership current growth level is 0.333 gross cords per acre per year. Therefore, this ownership can sustain an allowable harvest level of +/- 2,600 – 3,000 cord equivalents/year without depleting current inventory. The goal will be to implement the correct silviculture on the correct acre at the correct time of year. Stands to be harvested will be grouped together to create a harvest unit(s) that meets the forest management plan goals and be economically viable justifying the cost associated with accessing the area (e.g. road/landing construction, road maintenance, operating cost associated with harvesting, and snowplowing). In some years, harvests will slightly exceed 3,000 cords and in other years will be below 3,000 cords. Harvest levels will be adjusted so that the average annual harvest volumes will equal annual growth over time.

e) Monitoring The Conservation Fund’s acquisition of the Success Pond property allows for the execution of the Working Forest Fund model of sustainably managing working forests with important ecological values and functions, while allowing time for permanent conservation solutions to develop. A fundamental aspect of our dual mission of conservation and sustainable economic development at Success Pond is the establishment of a set of measurable conservation based objectives and viability thresholds for key components of biodiversity. Monitoring of conservation targets will include regular assessment and tracking of indicators that must be maintained to ensure the long-term viability of targets.

During a comprehensive site visit, seven natural communities of ecological significance were noted, predominantly made up of wetlands that will be outside the scope of most forest management activity. Annual monitoring will occur, associated with the annual management review, and any changes to these communities will be documented and action taken if deemed necessary.

Other forms of monitoring will include road maintenance issues, invasive species observations and control options, and observation during harvest operations. Post-harvest monitoring will also occur both as part of post harvest inventory, and as annual observation during annual management review. Any needed action will be noted in annual management review and followed up on.

f) Environmental Safeguards based on Environmental Assessment Every effort is made to meet or exceed the State of New Hampshire best management practices (BMP) requirements as well as TCF’s own internal standards and protocols. Please use the following link for a copy of the New Hampshire BMP guidelines, “Good Forestry in the Granite State: Recommended Voluntary Forest Management Practices for New Hampshire”: http://extension.unh.edu/goodforestry/

Additionally, results of annual monitoring are to be incorporated into management operations to mitigate environmental concerns through the adaptive management process.

g) Rare, Threatened, & Endangered Species Through periodic coordination with state and regional specialists, TCF updates its knowledge of rare species. TCF hired a biologist to conduct an assessment of unique habitats and high conservation value areas on the property. This report identified seven natural communities of ecological significance, all but one of which are wetlands varying from conifer swamps and alluvial alder shrublands, to shrub-sedge fen. The upland community is lowland spruce-fir forest.

h) Harvesting Systems The Conservation Fund engages with loggers who use many types and configurations of logging equipment which are highly dependent upon on site characteristics, species type and regional product markets. Each equipment combination has its advantages and disadvantages. Flexibility in equipment choice is important to meet landowner objectives and as technology changes. Typical examples include; 1.) chainsaw feller with crawler or rubber-tired cable skidder and hand limbing, 2.) tracked or rubber-tired feller-buncher with grapple skidder and stationary delimber, 3.) in- woods processing, involving a tracked harvesting machine which cuts, limbs and bucks products in the woods which are then carried to the road by a machine called a forwarder.