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Training Materials for Foresters

Quality Habitat for Birds and Other Wildlife

ԹϺ is excited to assist consulting, agency, industry, and procurement foresters in meeting these land management objectives through our ԹϺ Forester Training and Endorsement Program, active in Connecticut, New York, Vermont, and Pennsylvania. 

The content of this training can be applied to private and public land and is compatible with many objectives, including timber production, water quality, recreation, and carbon sequestration. 

The purpose of ԹϺ’s forester endorsement program is to create a national network of professional foresters working, in partnership with the ԹϺ, to promote healthy forest ecosystems that provide high-quality habitat for priority bird species, at scale. 

An ԹϺ endorsement means that participating foresters have completed our bird-friendly forestry training curriculum and demonstrated that they can apply the concepts we have taught them. Once endorsed, you will have access to our wide landowner base, and ԹϺ will promote and support your ongoing habitat work. &Բ;

OVERVIEW: FROM TRAINING TO ENDORSEMENT 

To receive an ԹϺ endorsement, foresters must complete the following steps: 

  • Completing the training webinar series, or an equivalent in-person ԹϺ training. 
  • Write an example silvicultural prescription that integrates bird habitat management based on a stand scenario we provide. 
  • Provide two examples of new or revised management plans, updates, or amendments that integrate bird habitat management. For large management plans (e.g. public lands, industrial forests, etc.), foresters can revise two stand prescriptions rather than the entire plan. 

The program begins with a series of training webinars, in which foresters will learn about birds in decline, landscape and stand-level planning and management to improve forest habitat diversity, resources available to assist foresters, and details about the ԹϺ Forester Endorsement Program. 

Upon completion of the webinar series, foresters can choose to continue with the next steps in the endorsement process. By completing these four sessions, foresters are eligible to receive 4 SAF CFE and/or 4 CT CEUs credits before moving on to the endorsement process. 

Training sessions can be accessed at any time and streamed at a time conducive to your schedule. &Բ;However, we ask that you watch all four sessions before advancing to the next steps of the endorsement process. 

SAF CFEs have been approved for recorded webinars (1 Cat 1 CFE per webinar). Each webinar is also approved for 1 CEU for CT Certified Forest Practitioners. To receive CFEs or CT CEUs for viewing a recorded webinar, as well as credit towards endorsement, foresters will need to submit answers to two questions for each webinar. 

How to submit answers: Please submit your answers by either uploading them via the links below, or by emailing them to Tim Duclos. Include the subject “CFE Training Questions” along with your SAF or state license identification and we will make sure you receive the necessary credits. We suggest you familiarize yourself with these questions before watching so that you’re prepared to provide answers. 

Webinar #1: Forester Training and Endorsement Program and Introduction to the Healthy Forest Initiative 

 

  • Name the four bird species that were discussed during the presentation 
  • List three threats/stressors to forest habitat quality 

Webinar #2: Forest Bird Habitat Management Planning and Assessments 

 

  • To meet the full breeding cycle (nesting and post fledging phases) needs of forest birds, what percentages of a mostly forested landscape should be in young and mature forest age classes? 
  • Name three stand-level habitat conditions that can be created or improved through forest management. 

Webinar #3: Forest Management for Birds 

  • To enhance vertical structural diversity within a mature forest using small group selection, what is the approximate size range of groups in acres? 
  • How many years after a clearcut (2-5+ acres in size) will forest birds start appearing? 

Webinar #4: Resources for Foresters, Engaging Landowners and Current ԹϺ Projects 

  • ​When writing an integrated forest and bird habitat management plan, habitat should be assessed at two different scales or levels and addressed in prescriptions. What are those two scales or levels? 
  • Please list one location where ԹϺ has a forest habitat demonstration site. 

MOVING PAST TRAINING INTO THE ENDORSEMENT PROCESS 

Congratulations on completing the four-part training series! 

You are not obligated to continue past the training into the endorsement process to receive CFE credits. 

However, should you choose to, ԹϺ will provide access to our wide landowner base while promoting and supporting your ongoing habitat work.  We also will remain available to you as a resource when incorporating bird habitat considerations into your forest management planning. 

Given mock landowner objectives, landscape descriptions, parcel and stand data, respond to questions and develop stand-level prescriptions that incorporate some of the bird-friendly forestry concepts we outlined in the training. Please choose one scenario from the options below and . &Բ;


 
Choose and address one of the following: 

Develop two forest management plans (either brand new plans or new activity schedule updates) that incorporate these concepts OR take a previously written plan and add apply these bird-friendly concepts where suitable within the calendar year. For large management plans (e.g. public lands, industrial forests, etc.), you can choose to revise two stand prescriptions rather than the entire plan. . 

For each management plan, we ask you to also complete and cover sheet. .

For bird-friendly forest management plans or stand prescriptions, remember to include and tie together the following important components into a plan: 

  • Describe landowner objectives towards managing their property for birds 
    • Ensure you present the how and the why behind your proposed management approach, connecting current condition to future habitat. &Բ;
  • Provide a landscape-level assessment 
    • Quantify and describe forest cover and land use in a 2,500 acre landscape, including, if possible, a map displaying the landscape and areas of suspected or confirmed young forest stands <15-20 yrs old.- see the . 
    • Address forest age class diversity levels at this landscape level: 
      • Conditions of young forests, <15-20 years old 
      • Conditions of advanced forest cover, >20 years old 
        • How do these levels compare to targets for the region of (broadly, 5-10% young forest, 90%+ mature forest). 
  • Provide a stand-level assessment 
    • Assess and address stand-level habitat characteristics as they relate to focal groups of bird species. Habitat elements to describe include: vertical and horizontal structural diversity, native tree species diversity, downed woody material, snags and cavity trees, large diameter trees, etc. 

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Foresters will be asked to share baseline information annually, and to participate in at least two continuing education programs every other year. 

ANNUALLY 
Share information with ԹϺ so we can assess our cumulative impact on forest bird conservation. We will ask for the number of bird-friendly forest management plans you’ve written, the number of acres included in those management plans, and the number of acres that received management that benefits birds. We will reach out for this information starting in April. We have an easy-to-use online form for information sharing. 

EVERY OTHER YEAR 
Participate in at least two continuing education opportunities provided by ԹϺ or other agencies and organizations. These programs will also be preapproved for SAF credits (and state CEUs where applicable) and participation certificates will be provided. &Բ;ԹϺ will notify endorsed foresters of the continuing education programs in advance and welcome your suggestions for topics we cover and field sites we visit for in-person programming. 

ԹϺ's Forester Training and Endorsement Program is funded by a Landscape Scale Restoration grant by the U.S Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, an equal opportunity provider, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation New England Forests and Rivers Fund, Davis Conservation Foundation, LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust, Overhills Foundation and Daybreak Fund - Vermont Community Foundation. 

Thanks to those who help promote this program: 

  • New York and Green Mountain Division - Society of American Foresters 
  • NYS Department of Environmental Conservation 
  • VT Woodlands Association 
  • Forest Stewards Guild