Rob Farrell State Forester

COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA

Department of Forestry

900 Natural Resources Drive, Suite 800  Charlottesville, Virginia 22903

(434) 977-6555  Fax: (434) 296-2369  www.dof.virginia.gov

*Date

Tract Number:	*

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Dear *:

Please find within your Virginia State-Owned Lands Management Plan for your agency’s property located in * County. It was my pleasure to prepare this plan for you knowing that you have a true interest in the good stewardship and active management of the natural resources.

In this plan, there are two basic components. The first is a management plan based upon your agency objectives for managing the property. All of the recommendations within this plan are for consideration, but I believe that they will help you achieve both long- and short-term goals for the property. This plan should be reviewed and updated every 10 years.

I trust that you will find this plan to be informative and useful as you actively manage your agency’s natural resources. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me at any time.

Sincerely,

*Area Forester’s Name

*Office Address

*City, State ZIP

(*) * Phone

*user.name@dof.virginia.gov

Virginia State-Owned Lands

Management Plan

About This Plan

This State-Owned Lands Management Plan was developed to help guide you in the active management of the natural resources on the property. The plan is based upon the objectives you identified as being important to the agency. All of the management recommendations are for consideration. The stand data table figures in this plan are for planning purposes ONLY and not intended for making economic decisions where more detailed information would be required.

Primary Goals That Were Identified For Managing The Property

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Introduction

This multiple-use forest management plan covers the examination of approximately * acres of forestland in * County, Virginia. The management recommendations, given on the following pages, were developed for each specific parcel on the property. Boundaries and acres are only estimates derived from aerial photographs. The tract map is attached, allowing you to see the map as you read through the plan.

Tract Location

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Property Overview

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Stand *

Descriptions and Recommendations:	*(short recommendation for parcel)

Acres:	*

Forest Type:	*

Species Present:	*

Age:	*

Stand History:	*

Size:	*

Tree Quality:	*

Stocking/Density:	*

Growth Rate & Vigor:	*

Site Quality & Soils:	*

Aspect & Topography:	*

Water Resources:	*

Invasive Species:	*

Wildlife Habitat:	*

Recreation/Aesthetics:	*

Cultural Resources:	*

T&E Species Present:	*

Fire Risk:	*

Unique Natural Features:	*

Recommendations:	*

Stand *

Descriptions and Recommendations:	*(short recommendation for parcel)

Acres:	*

Forest Type:	*

Species Present:	*

Age:	*

Stand History:	*

Size:	*

Tree Quality:	*

Stocking/Density:	*

Growth Rate & Vigor:	*

Site Quality & Soils:	*

Aspect & Topography:	*

Water Resources:	*

Invasive Species:	*

Wildlife Habitat:	*

Recreation/Aesthetics:	*

Cultural Resources:	*

T&E Species Present:	*

Fire Risk:	*

Unique Natural Features:	*

Recommendations:	*

Stand *

Descriptions and Recommendations:	*(short recommendation for parcel)

Acres:	*

Forest Type:	*

Species Present:	*

Age:	*

Stand History:	*

Size:	*

Tree Quality:	*

Stocking/Density:	*

Growth Rate & Vigor:	*

Site Quality & Soils:	*

Aspect & Topography:	*

Water Resources:	*

Invasive Species:	*

Wildlife Habitat:	*

Recreation/Aesthetics:	*

Cultural Resources:	*

T&E Species Present:	*

Fire Risk:	*

Unique Natural Features:	*

Recommendations:	*

Stand *

Descriptions and Recommendations:	*(short recommendation for parcel)

Acres:	*

Forest Type:	*

Species Present:	*

Age:	*

Stand History:	*

Size:	*

Tree Quality:	*

Stocking/Density:	*

Growth Rate & Vigor:	*

Site Quality & Soils:	*

Aspect & Topography:	*

Water Resources:	*

Invasive Species:	*

Wildlife Habitat:	*

Recreation/Aesthetics:	*

Cultural Resources:	*

T&E Species Present:	*

Fire Risk:	*

Unique Natural Features:	*

Recommendations:	*

Cultural and Historic Resources

Cultural resources refer to landscapes, structures, archeological artifacts and vegetation that represent a culture or society of historic value. Federal and state laws protect some archeological, cultural and historic sites from disturbances, destruction or removal. It is critical to understand where such sites may be located prior to ground-disturbing forest management activities.

Historic and cultural resources are a vital link to past land-use practices in Virginia. *[While no sites were identified during my visits, old records for the area may exist.] The Department of Historic Resources offers programs which survey, catalog and encourage the preservation of historic resources. This Department maintains records of historic sites and these records are available to the general public. More information can be found at www.dhr.virginia.gov or by calling their office at (804) 367-2323.

Threatened or Endangered Species

*[No endangered or protected species were observed on the property. No such species are known to exist that would be found on your property.] Information in this plan concerning the presence of Threatened and Endangered (T&E) species has been determined through observation and/or review of T&E species maps. This information does not substitute for a through exam completed by trained T&E specialists.

Forest Health and Protection

A healthy forest is a forest that possesses the ability to sustain the unique species composition and processes that exist within it. Active management of the forest helps to maintain and improve its productive capacity, taking into account all the factors that influence the resource elements addressed in the State-Owned Lands Management Plan. Silviculture harvest practices and the use of prescribed fire as a tool can reduce risk from wildfire, pests and invasive species, and ensure long-term forest health and vigor. Forest health protection issues are often directly related to the active management of insects and diseases, invasive plants and wildfire. Annual inspections for signs of insects, diseases or invasive plant infestations should be completed by the landowner.

*[No disease or insect problems were identified on the property.] Continued monitoring is the best preventative measure to ensuring forest health. If any unusual problems are found, please contact the Virginia Department of Forestry.

Fire

Prescribed fire, also known as “controlled burn,” refers to the controlled application of fire by a team of fire experts under specified weather conditions that help restore health to fire-adapted environments to obtain specific management objectives. Prescribed burning is a critical management tool that enhances and benefits forests, grasslands and wildlife habitats. Prescribed fire is an effective tool in site preparing harvested areas for replanting tree seedlings as well as reducing excessive amounts of hazardous fuel build up and catastrophic damage of wildfire on our lands and surrounding communities. Prescribed fire is one of the most effective tools we have in preventing the outbreak and spread of wildfires.

Protection of your property from wildfire is essential. Wildfire rapidly destroys valuable timber, wildlife and property. From February 15 through April 30, open air fires are not permitted within 300 feet of woodland, brushland or field containing dry grass or other flammable material between midnight and 4:00 p.m.

Carbon Cycle

All forest plants and soils “store” carbon, so active forest management influences the natural cycles of that storage in both living and dead plant material. The removal of carbon from the atmosphere is the process called carbon sequestration. Carbon sequestration is the process by which atmospheric carbon dioxide is consumed by trees, grasses and other plants through photosynthesis and stored as carbon in biomass (trunks, branches, foliage and roots) and soils. Sustainable forestry practices can increase the ability of forests to sequester atmospheric carbon while enhancing other ecosystem services, such as improved soil and water quality. Planting new trees and improving forest health through thinning and prescribed burning are some of the ways to increase forest carbon in the long run. Harvesting and regenerating forests can also result in net carbon sequestration in wood products and new forest growth.

Wetlands

Wetlands include areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances, do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas. Wetlands are also highly diverse and productive ecosystems with emphasis on supporting timber production, water quality protection, wildlife habitat and more. It is important for you to be aware of and understand the laws and regulations related to forestry practices before engaging in wetland management activities on your land.

Biological Diversity

Biodiversity is the variety of life (including diversity of species, genetic diversity and diversity of ecosystems) and the processes that support it. Landowners can contribute to the conservation of biodiversity by providing diverse habitats. It is important to select management options that offer the greatest opportunities for promoting wildlife habitats and conserving biodiversity while fulfilling other land management objectives. Some of these options include, but are not limited to, the conservation of wildlife habitats and biodiversity by:

Managing stand-level habitat features.

Promoting aquatic and riparian areas.

Managing landscape features.

Conserving rare species and communities.

Protecting special features and sites.

Agroforestry/Silvopasture

Agroforestry intentionally combines agriculture and forestry to create integrated and sustainable land-use systems. Agroforestry takes advantage of the interactive benefits from combining trees and shrubs with crops and/or livestock. In the United States, agroforestry is commonly divided into five main practices: Windbreaks, Alley Cropping, Silvopasture, Riparian Forest Buffers and Forest Farming.

Silvopasture combines trees with forage and livestock production. The trees are managed for high-value saw logs while providing shade and shelter for livestock and forage, reducing stress and sometimes increasing forage production. Silvopasture is increasingly popular in the southeastern region of the United States as a way to supplement timber income on small pine plantations and some hardwood stands. However, there can be problems with combining the two management schemes if it is not done correctly or actively managed. This management system requires active rotational grazing to avoid damage to the standing trees and allowing the forage to recover.

High Conservation Value Forests

These are forests of outstanding and critical importance due to their environmental, social, biodiversity, or landscape values. High Conservation Value Forests are considered critically important because they contain a unique combination of values. These can be social, cultural, biodiversity and environmental values.

Social or cultural values are aspects of a forest that are critical to the surrounding community’s identity. They can range from significant historical features, such as sacred sites or burial grounds, to the forest’s role within the community – for example, whether local residents have traditionally depended on the forest for berries, firewood or other products.

Biodiversity values are critical to preserving local flora and fauna. Such values could include rare ecosystems or habitats, or unusual communities of plant or animal species. Keep in mind that these ecosystems and species need not be on state or Federal Threatened or Endangered Species lists – they may just be considered rare regionally or locally.

Environmental values can benefit the whole community. Some examples are forests whose presence helps protect local watersheds or prevent erosion in vulnerable areas.

When forestry professionals and other experts evaluate a forest as a potential HCVF, they look at the entire landscape – not just a single stand of trees – and consider all of these values.

Places that combine and contain these features are rare, so it’s especially important to protect them. (American Forest Foundation)

Integrated Pest Management

A pest control strategy may use a variety of complementary strategies including mechanical devices, physical devices, genetic, biological or cultural management and chemical management. (U.S. EPA)

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) combines several appropriate pest control tactics into a single plan to reduce pests and their damage to an acceptable level. Using many different tactics to control a pest problem causes the least disruption to the living organisms and non-living surroundings at the treatment site. Relying only on pesticides for pest control can cause pests to develop resistance to pesticides, can cause outbreaks of other pests, and can harm surfaces and non-target organisms. With some types of pests, using only pesticides achieves very poor control.

To solve pest problems, first:

Identify the pest or pests and determine whether control is warranted for each,

Determine pest control goals,

Know what control tactics are available,

Evaluate the benefits and risks of each tactic or combination of tactics,

Choose the most effective strategy that causes the least harm to people and the environment,

Use each tactic in the strategy correctly, and

Observe local, state and Federal regulations that apply to the situation.

The best strategy for each situation depends on the pest and the control needed.

(Michael J. Weaver, Patricia A. Hipkins, Virginia Tech Pesticides Program, 2013)

10-YEAR RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE OF MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
Year	Parcel	Activity	*Possible Cost Share	Future Stand Conditions
Year	Stocking	Species
This schedule may need to be adjusted depending on financial needs, timber markets, timing of actual harvest and availability of contractors.

STAND DATA SUMMARY
Stand	Forest Type	Acres	Year Estab.	Age	Site Index	Avg. DBH	Stocking/ Density	Stand Quality	Annual Growth	Other Important Stand Attributes (nat. regen., invasive plants, etc.)
Parcel: Identifying letter or number for each parcel Forest Type: Pine – by primary species Pine/Hardwood – by primary species or major species group Upland Hardwood – by pure species or major species group Bottomland Hardwood – by pure species or major species group	Site Index: For dominant species present, indicate base age Stocking/Density: Basal area or trees per acre Other Important Stand Attributes: Is natural regeneration present? Are there invasive plant species present? (species and level of presence – heavy, moderate, low)