TAKING CARE OF YOUR FOREST

"A Forest Means Many Things to Many People, 

Values and Forests"

by:

Roger Merchant, Extension Educator

Piscataquis County Extension Office

A forest means many things to many people……….

Every person or family who owns land and forest holds values and aspirations for what they want to see happen in their woodland. Have you considered your particular interests and aspirations for your forest?

The first step on the path to becoming the "keeper of your forest" is to be aware of the values you hold. The plans and decisions that you make ought to reflect your values and vision for taking care of your forest. In the beginning, don’t feel rushed into having to do anything. Take the time to reflect on what you and your family cherish and value about your woodland. Write about this, talk about this, make sketch maps, and begin to envision the future that you hold for your forest.

VALUE is the importance that we define and attach to many aspects of our lives; be they experiences, relationships, goods and services, material possessions, property, land and forest. We are the ones who give meaning and measure to all of this. Values aren’t about having right ones or wrong ones - yours are yours, mine are mine. Our values may be alike on some matters, very different on others.

When you own land and forest you assign value to its’ various features….cords and logs, acres of deer yard habitat, cubic feet per second of clear or silt laden stream water, crop trees per acre for timber, number/types of den trees, even a heart felt relaxing ahhhhhh at sunset while sitting beneath your favorite tree in that special place in your woods.  Perhaps you really love being out in your forest, walking in the woods. This is you, valuing your forest. VALUING is what we are about as human beings, as good keepers and stewards of the forest.

IN THE ABSENCE OF PEOPLE, a forest would simply go on giving and sustaining life through its own particular rhythms ands cycles, without giving a hoot one way or another about the absence of human values and actions. The cherished, traditional wheel of multiple-use forest management would simply be out of view and inoperable in any forest given an absence of human values, intentions and actions.

The purpose in addressing values this way is to help you get clear about what you really appreciate, cherish, and hold near and dear to you about your forest. When we look at any forest through our eyes and mind, we can see a range of interconnected, human defined values: Water-Fish-Soils-Plants-Air-Wildlife-Timber-Forest Products-Medicinals-Recreation-Quiet-Tourism-Culture-Spiritual Renewal.

Forests viewed and managed from an inclusive and diverse base of values "sustain all of us" in many, many ways. Our role as stewards and keepers is to be aware of what we value about our forest, and to recognize what we know and don’t know about managing, protecting, and working with our forest. Your values influence decisions and direction in life, on land, and in your forest.

Spend time in your woods observing and learning about what your forest has to offer. Pay attention to the questions that come up within you about your forest. Any forest offers possibilities. Each forest is unique in character and what it may offer. In the beginning, learn as much as you can about the character and variety of life within your forest. Seek out professional help in further defining this.

Perhaps you are ready to begin some self-reflective work. The link to the self-assessment, "Determining Values and Goals for Your Forest", is designed to help you sort out the values and interests that you hold for your forest. Are other family members a part of the forest plan? Be sure to include them in this work. When you complete this assessment, you will be able to write brief statements about the goals and aspirations that you and your family hold for your land forest.

 

(Link to Determining Values and Goals for Your Forest)

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Last Modified: 01/11/08
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