FOREST STEWARDSHIP -2005
THE RESULTS OF THE ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION
The forest stewardship round table brought together a number of people with diverse backgrounds as well as folks who simply had a great love of the forest and lands. The main question that arose is “How do we integrate the dharma into our land stewardship practices?”
Commercial timber harvest is almost universally the underlying goal in most if not all management practices. But at the abbey economic gain is closer to the bottom of the list in order of priority. Below are the main goals and tasks found in the abbey forest stewardship plan that were discussed and observed in and about the land during the round table weekend. Using the dharma as the main focus keeps the balance in the goals as well as in our minds.
The main purpose of the Abbey is the practice of the dharma to train westerners who want to ordain in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
The secondary purpose is to provide an environment conducive for contemplation, meditation, and study as well as inspiration from nature for present day and future community members while protecting the wildlife, habitat, and the natural qualities of the land.
Land and forest stewardship objectives have been established at present to reach this goal. They are:
- Identify wildlife species and their habitats presently residing on the land and create if possible habitats to encourage previously present species. Establish a wildlife refuge (including insects)
- Maintain forest health through careful and thoughtful forestry practices
- Reduce adverse effects of noxious weeds and hazardous fuel loads
- Provide a sustainable supply of firewood for heating
- Identify and maintain trails for solitude and the experience of nature by visitors. Replant and abandon trails not identified as necessary.
- Ensure that the abbey's future development needs do not compromise the naturalness of the site or the meeting of the stewardship objectives
- Create and overall natural wilderness quality (future)
- Maintain the land in forest management to continue to qualify for forestry tax incentive programs
- Commercial timber harvesting is not a goal at this time; it may become desirable in the future
First in priority (October 29/30):
- Mapping.
- Locate, categorize, and inventory the following: (Possible purchase of used GPS unit - eBay?)
- Stands,
- trails,
- roads,
- skid roads,
- erosion-prone areas,
- knapweed,
- wildlife sightings and signs,
- old stumps,
- aspects of slopes,
- wetlands if observed,
- snags and logs,
- and any unusual features found that may indicate past forest history.
The mapping has begun and in the spring we will continue mapping in order to divide the 240 acres of abbey land and forest into smaller more manageable units. From there we will begin to identify more specific characteristics unique to those units as well as overall health, growth, habitat etc.
Click HERE to look at pictures of the foresty stewardship workshop.
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