Backwoods

Eco-Forestry

        Ecoforestry is a long-term ecologically sustainable and economically sound
        alternative to current conventional forest management. It is predicated on
        maintaining the 'natural capital' of the forest ecosystem, while allowing a
        wide range of values and benefits to be derived from the the forest.

       Ecoforestry is a low-impact approach to forest management that maintains a
       fully functioning forest within the natural historic range of spatial and
       temporal variability. Its practices favor native tree and plant species which
       provide for the needs of wildlife and their habitats.

       One of the methods we use to lessen the impact of timber harvesting is the
       small tractor. While it's large enough to perform the task, it's by far lighter
       in weight than a conventional skidder. A skidder can weigh as much as 40,000
       pounds, while the tractor weighs about 8,000 pounds. Soil compaction is
       reduced by as much as 75 percent!

       Another method we employ is the use of horses. Horse logging is a low impact
       form of timber harvesting that has the flexibility to be tailored to fit the
       landowner needs, be it the removal of a few trees to a major harvesting
       operation. The residual damage is minimal, the trails narrower, with less
       damage to the natural ecosystem.

         Horse logging is a viable alternative timber harvesting system, especially
       useful in sensitive areas where tradition harvesting methods can't be used.
       It can be particularly beneficial in areas inaccessible to other types of
       conventional logging. This form of logging can be more esthetically pleasing
       than having the noise and pollution associated with mechanical operations.
       Ecologists concede that there are economic reasons for logging the old
       fashioned way, horses can get into delicate environmental areas that machines
       can't, but one of the main benefits is company and/or landowner image.

       Extraction from the natural resource base has traditionally been ruthless,
       wasteful and damaging to the ecosystem. Our restorative approach
       recognizes that the current environmental conditions in the forest are the
       result of former human intervention in the natural processes.

       Truly restorative forestry enhances natural diversity and site-specific
       history. The result of the “worst first” selective logging that we practice is
       an enhanced pro-generative residual condition. This form of forestry not
       only restores the ecological conditions, it restores the human dignity
       dividend of practicing true stewardship by leaving the world around us
       better as a result of our presence.

Mission Statement

Backwoods Enterprises Shall:

        Observe the structure, function, composition and natural changes of
        forest ecosystems, learning from these and the use management practices
        that mimic them.

Preserve the natural diversity of ages, heights and species of trees.

Protection of wildlife and their habitats.

Focus on what should be left after harvesting rather than focusing on
what we take.

Use low-impact logging practices. (Horses and light tractors for example)

        Ensure the volume of trees removed is less than the forests growth rate
        in order to provide for the forests structure in the future. Dead trees
        are as importnat to wildlife habitat as are standing trees.

Utilize methods that promote natural regeneration of the forest.

        Realize and appreciate all the other forest values; aesthetic, spiritual,
        genetic, recreational, and protective, at least as much as the monetary
        value of the marketable products taken.

        Adhere to the precautionary principle: when in doubt as to whether a
        potential action in the forest may be harmful to the ecosystem or not,
        don’t do it!

        Provide educational services to the public when requested, to increase
        awareness of community/forest interdependence and develop mutually
        beneficial relationships between forests and people, and to promote the
        understanding of Eco-Forestry practices.

'Green Certification'

       Certification of wood products is an idea that originated in the environmental
       movement, with support from concerned consumers and forest workers.
       As envisioned by the environmental sector: Certification is a way to ensure,
       via the marketplace, that logging and timber management activities protect
       the integrity of forests at all scales during and after logging, and provide an
       avenue of satisfying consumers that the wood they purchase has been logged
       and produced in ways that protect ecosystem functioning and provide for
       continued sustainability.

Criteria for obtaining certification of a wood products producer include:

· fully-functioning ecosystems must be maintained both during and after
timber cutting.

· ecosystem functioning must be protected at all times, both short and long
term, and at all scales, stand level and landscape level.

· maintenance and/or restoration of ecosystem biodiversity.

· maintenance and/or restoration of natural regeneration of native species.

· protection of water, riparian zones, shallow soils, cross-valley corridors,
old growth, and other ecologically sensitive zones.

· prohibition of the use of pesticides.

· prohibition of slash-burning.

· restoration of damage to the ecosystem from previous activities such as
road-building, logging, or tourism.

· protection of Indigenous peoples' rights, land, and culture.

· protection. enhancement, and diversification of local economies.

· community control over forest activities, with fair distribution of any
benefits realized from those activities.

· decreased consumption, minimal waste, and maximum recycling at all stages,
starting from ecosystem-based planning and continuing to point of purchase.

      · close monitoring of "chain of custody" to ensure that the certifiable wood
            products are accurately tracked from forest to log yard to mill to
                                  distributor to consumer outlet.

    Backwoods Enterprises supports the concepts of certification and promotes
          its’ usage by encouraging the use of recycled wood products, protecting
       forest lands by use of horses or light tractors to skid timber, and utilizing
         the 'eco-forestry' based approach to select those trees to be harvested.

            Additionally, the “Shelterwood silvicultural system” is encouraged,
         by reforesting selectively cut areas with species that favor the shaded
                   environment under the forests’ canopy in which to grow.

Musing and Ponderings from the Woodlot

E-Mail
chaikwa@backwoodsenterprises.com