Do you get more accomplished in the light or in the dark? Each year, the Michigan DNR personnel evaluate one-tenth of the states forest. As we all know an inventory of what you have in business provides you key knowledge of what you need and what you already have! For the Michigan DNR the inventory provides key decision-making information for foresters and wildlife, fisheries and other resource managers. What can you learn from such an inventory? Well how about the age, health, quality and quantity of trees and other vegetation on state lands. With that information you are better able to assess and proper assessment then allows the DNR staff to make informed decisions. A novel idea? No something that successful businesses do at least yearly and that some government agencies are learning the value of. For the Michigan DNR it can help improve, timber management, wildlife and fisheries habitat, minerals, archeological sites, recreational use, wildfire potential and social concerns, Of course this is just some of the topics taken into consideration during a review of state forest. According to the Michigan DNR press release: Because the forest is inventoried approximately two years in advance, a year of entry is assigned to indicate when treatments will be prepared. Information currently under review has a 2016 year of entry. This means that treatment activities on lands being reviewed this year will actually begin in 2016. Proposed treatments, which may include timber harvesting, replanting and other management activities, are designed to ensure the sustainability of all forest resources. You can not argue such logic and I wonder how many other DNRs around the country do the same thing. I know you can see the success in the Michigan forest for upland game! Open houses are a good way for interested residents, neighbors and stakeholders to learn about the DNRs proposed treatment plans and to share input with foresters and biologists before any final decisions are made, said Bill ONeill, chief of the DNRs Forest Resources Division. This year were inviting folks who might not be able to get to a meeting to share their comments via email with unit managers, he added. When it comes to the health and sustainability of our state forests, we want the planning process to be as inclusive as possible. Okay surely this must be a ruse or at the least a state law that requires such public involvement! Does it MATTER? I mean really as long as you are improving the forest and increasing wildlife habitat management, does it matter what the reason is? The Michigan DNRs review, inventory and public input will be formal on August 7, 2014. The plans will be put on the Michigan DNRs website with maps and allow for management opinions. Sounds like a great idea to me that should catch on! Perhaps stakeholders should demand it. Photos: Spruce Knob red spruce trees and the Woodcock Moon of 2013 through the trees.
Posted on: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 12:19:38 +0000
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