History & Primary Goal
In 1999 The Nature Conservancy purchased this 3,034 acre forested property from American Wilderness Resources to prevent the tract from being subdivided into a recreational retreat; eliminating the potential for the construction of numerous cabins and outbuildings. Once the property was deeded over, TNC named it West Branch Wilderness Preserve. However, with the development of the Forest Conservation Program and the Conservancy’s desire to promote “Working Forests” that are managed to balance ecological and economic values through Sustainable Forest Management, West Branch Wilderness Preserve is being transitioned to West Branch Research and Demonstration Forest. In simple terms, the Conservancy, similar to most private forest landowners, is working to manage and conserve its forest resources, yet derive income from it to help pay for the costs associated with stewardship and general ownership. The long-term vision for West Branch is to restore and sustain a healthy forest that produces all the tangible and intangible products that society demands, such as Wood, Water, and Wildlife, along with beautiful scenery, recreational opportunities, and much more.
What is the game plan?
During the fall and winter of 2007, an extensive ecological inventory was conducted across the entire property to assess forest conditions, such as timber, tree regeneration, deer densities and deer browse impacts, presence of invasive species, wildlife habitat (snags and downed wood debris), along with existing road infrastructure and general terrain characteristics. The results of this inventory were used to create a Forest Management Plan. As the plan is nearly complete, it has been determined that due to consistently poor harvesting and property management practices prior to TNC ownership, forest management activities scheduled during the next ten years will be largely restorative. Strategic use of herbicide, prescribed fire, targeted recreational hunting, mowing treatments, fencing, and timber harvesting has and will continue to be utilized throughout the property to create conditions conducive to establishing a more healthy and diverse forest. As a Research and Demonstration Forest, West Branch will be used as a platform to showcase forest restoration practices applicable to private forest landowners and the diverse forested landscapes across the Commonwealth. In addition, West Branch will be utilized as a small-scale research station to conditions amenable to studies involving wildlife, rare plant communities, prescribed fire, herbicide applications, and of course, a case study for managing white-tailed deer. The Nature Conservancy has partnered with a variety of state agencies and land management organizations to work collaboratively to address some of the most pressing and challenging issues that our forests face.
In 1999 The Nature Conservancy purchased this 3,034 acre forested property from American Wilderness Resources to prevent the tract from being subdivided into a recreational retreat; eliminating the potential for the construction of numerous cabins and outbuildings. Once the property was deeded over, TNC named it West Branch Wilderness Preserve. However, with the development of the Forest Conservation Program and the Conservancy’s desire to promote “Working Forests” that are managed to balance ecological and economic values through Sustainable Forest Management, West Branch Wilderness Preserve is being transitioned to West Branch Research and Demonstration Forest. In simple terms, the Conservancy, similar to most private forest landowners, is working to manage and conserve its forest resources, yet derive income from it to help pay for the costs associated with stewardship and general ownership. The long-term vision for West Branch is to restore and sustain a healthy forest that produces all the tangible and intangible products that society demands, such as Wood, Water, and Wildlife, along with beautiful scenery, recreational opportunities, and much more.
What is the game plan?
During the fall and winter of 2007, an extensive ecological inventory was conducted across the entire property to assess forest conditions, such as timber, tree regeneration, deer densities and deer browse impacts, presence of invasive species, wildlife habitat (snags and downed wood debris), along with existing road infrastructure and general terrain characteristics. The results of this inventory were used to create a Forest Management Plan. As the plan is nearly complete, it has been determined that due to consistently poor harvesting and property management practices prior to TNC ownership, forest management activities scheduled during the next ten years will be largely restorative. Strategic use of herbicide, prescribed fire, targeted recreational hunting, mowing treatments, fencing, and timber harvesting has and will continue to be utilized throughout the property to create conditions conducive to establishing a more healthy and diverse forest. As a Research and Demonstration Forest, West Branch will be used as a platform to showcase forest restoration practices applicable to private forest landowners and the diverse forested landscapes across the Commonwealth. In addition, West Branch will be utilized as a small-scale research station to conditions amenable to studies involving wildlife, rare plant communities, prescribed fire, herbicide applications, and of course, a case study for managing white-tailed deer. The Nature Conservancy has partnered with a variety of state agencies and land management organizations to work collaboratively to address some of the most pressing and challenging issues that our forests face.
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