Mfo program northwest region extended overview
- 1. NORTHWEST REGION Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates
- 2. REGIONS Program Director – Peter Smallidge of Cornell University 5 Regions/Regional Directors Northwest Region – Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates
- 3. THE TERM “MASTER” FOREST OWNER IMPLIES EDUCATION AS IN “SCHOOL-MASTER”. THE TRAINING VOLUNTEERS RECEIVE COMPLEMENTS THEIR EXPERIENCE AS FOREST OWNERS. Over 140 experienced volunteer MFOs are available statewide, ready to assist neighbor woodland owners with the information needed to start managing their woodlands, through FREE site visits. All MFOs are graduates of a 4-day training program, where they learn about sawtimber, wildlife management, woodland economics, and ecology. MFOs continue to receive information updates, attend refresher classes and maintain contact with natural resource managers from private, public, and academic organizations.
- 4. WHY IS THIS PROGRAM NECESSARY? Over 14 million acres of woodland in NY State are privately owned by approximately 700,000 nonindustrial woodland owners That’s over 3/4 of New York’s total woodland area! It is estimated that less than 1/4 of the state’s private forest holdings are purposefully managed Woodlands represent an important commodity that, if wisely managed, can generate a variety of economic, ecological, and aesthetic values to woodland owners and their communities, generation after generation
- 5. MFO VISITS 2018-19 MFO volunteers reported 102 visits in 34 counties onto 5212 acres: Most important ownership goals: 1) beauty/scenery, 2) protect nature, 3) privacy, 4) timber/products, 5) other reasons included recreation, part of the property, firewood, wildlife viewing, hunting, maple/mushrooms/ginseng/ silvopasture, other Knowledge, awareness and skills frequently discussed (NW Region): 1) invasive insects, 2) invasive plant management, 3) tree ID, 4) natural regeneration, 5) others include tree/woodlot health, deer impacts, biodiversity, herbicides, hunting, owner objectives, chainsaw or equipment use/safety, TSI, wildlife habitat, pond creation, and more…
- 6. PROGRAM RESULTS The MFO program has helped over 1,000 woodland owners via on-site visits since its inception in 1991: 34% of the woodland owners prepared a written management plan, and 18% plan to do so 60% of the woodland owners met with a professional forester, and another 20% plan to do so 32% of the woodland owners implemented wildlife management practices, and 21% plan to do so 42% of the woodland owners sought out more information on forest management, and another 7% plan to do so 20% of the woodland owners used the information to save or earn on average $7,000 Photo NYSDEC, www.dec.ny.gov Call a DEC forester for help managing your woodlot
- 8. WORKSHOPS & WOOD WALKS Subscribing counties can work with NW regional director to host events which often include topics such as 480a tax law, timber sales, timber theft, managing forest pests/invasive species, woodlot inheritance, crop tree management, wildlife habitat improvement, firewood, etc.
- 9. WORKSHOPS & WOOD WALKS 2018-19 Erie – Woods walk highlighting mid-stage of a forest regeneration project (NYFOA) and Maple workshop with WAVES (Women in Agriculture Voices, Empowerment, Skills) Livingston – Hydrologic Connections between Forest and Wetland Ecosystems in partnership with Livonia High School’s ESF in the Classroom program Monroe – Discovering the Woods and Wildlife Around You Ontario – Woodlot Management Planning – ecosystem and watershed considerations Seneca – What is the MFO Program? Wyoming – Responding to the Presence of Emerald Ah Borer (EAB) in Your Woodlot Yates – Incorporating Wildlife Habitat Improvement Projects and Practices into Your Woodlot Activities Refresher Training – Releasing Wild Apple Trees and Crop Tree Management
- 10. EVENT PARTNERS 2018-19 The MFO program events and efforts are a success due to collaboration with many partners. Thank you! and others…
- 11. ARE YOU INTERESTED?“THE POWER OF THE PROGRAM IS THAT IT COMES TO YOU. EVERYONE TENDS TO PROCRASTINATE, AND TO HAVE SOMEONE COME TO ME AND SCHEDULE A VISIT WAS WHAT IT TOOK TO GET MOVING ON MY WOODLOT PLAN. THANKS FOR THE PROGRAM!” – LANDOWNER VISITED BY A MASTER FOREST OWNER VOLUNTEER At your request, an MFO volunteer will arrange a visit with you at your woodlot to get a first-hand look and discuss sources of assistance or information. MFOs are experienced and knowledgeable individuals who can put you in touch with the right people to meet your goals. The MFO can also be instrumental in helping you develop a management plan for your property.
- 12. BECOME A MFO VOLUNTEER If you would like to become a volunteer, please follow these steps: 1. Talk with your regional director 2. If you haven’t already been visited by a volunteer, arrange for a visit 3. Complete the application at the “Become a Volunteer” tab at www.CornellMFO.info 4. Make plans to participate in the annual training at the Arnot Teaching and Research Forest 5. After the training, commit to making 5 visits to other woodland owners in your area
- 13. SOCIAL MEDIA Connect with the Northwest MFO Program on Facebook! Regularly fed with forestry related content and upcoming events Master Forest Owner Program – Northwest Region
- 14. REGIONAL DIRECTORS Region: Northwest Laura Bailey – lb698@cornell.edu, 315-536-5123 Counties in Region: Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Livingston, Monroe, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates Region: Southern Tier Brett Chedzoy – bjc226@cornell.edu, 607-535-7161 Counties in Region: Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins Region: Capital/Eastern ADK Kristopher Williams – kbw44@cornell.edu, 518-885-8995 Counties in Region: Albany, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren, Washington Region: Catskill/Lower Hudson Ron Frisbee – rf369@cornell.edu, 518-622-9820 Counties in Region: Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Otsego, Putnam, Rockland, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester Region: Central/Western ADK Kristina Ferrare – kaf226@cornell.edu, 315-536-5123 Counties in Region: Cayuga, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, St. Lawrence