Forest Management for Bird Habitat & Climate AdaptationTom Lautzenheiser, Mass Audubon Regional Scientist

NIACS/FSG Forest Adaptation Webinar - May 21, 2020

Mass Audubon’s Wildlife Sanctuaries

Foresters for the BirdsIntegrating timber and songbird habitat management

Audubon Vermont

Elm Hill Wildlife SanctuaryBrookfield/North Brookfield

Attributes830 ac forest210 ac fields60 ac open wetland/water

Drumlin swarmRare/unusual plantsCold-water streamPriority natural community30+ vernal poolsGrassland/young forest birds

Invasive plantsInvasive invertebratesWhite-tailed deer

APR – includes forest products

1. Define goals and objectives2. Assess climate impacts and vulnerabilities3. Evaluate objectives considering climate impacts4. Identify adaptation approaches and tactics for implementation5. Monitor effectiveness of implemented actions

- Broad adaptation response – e.g. sustain ecosystem function- More specific action – e.g. maintain or restore riparian areas- Prescriptive actions tailored to site & objectives – e.g. certain BMPs

Elm Hill Forest Management Project

Forest management to achieve wildlife habitat and climate adaptation goals

Goals• Enhance forest’s structural and

compositional diversity to increase forest’s ability to tolerate climate change

• Manage invasive plants to safeguard forest’s integrity

• Demonstrate sustainable forestry practices that increase habitat quality for species of conservation concern

Methods• A variety of forest management

treatments • Invasive plant control efforts• Reserves in appropriate areas

Management TargetsTransition Hardwood ForestInvasive SpeciesYoung Forest Bird HabitatSensitive Natural Communities

Goal: Invasive plant management to maintain good forest health, improve wildlife habitat, and maintain productivity in agricultural areas.

Objective: Manage priority invasive plant infestations in/near proposed timber harvest sites through appropriate techniques, including mechanical and chemical methods. (2018-2026)

Objective: Map and prioritize invasive plant infestations on project site. (2018 – complete)

Goal: Promote the development of a structurally and compositionally diverse forestObjective: Create 70-acre young forest habitat around existing agricultural fieldsObjective: Enhance structural complexity of closed canopy forest through treatments

on 80 – 90 acresObjective: Restore natural forest cover on pine plantation and old-field pine areas

through clearing and facilitating natural regeneration

• Follow best management practices with respect to soils, hydrology, and wetlands and waterways when conducting forestry activities

Structural Complexity Enhancement (10-15 acres)

Selective cutting, various intensity (80 acres)

Clearing, with some retention, to create young forest (70 acres)

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation – New England Forests and Rivers FundUSDA Natural Resource Conservation Service – Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)MassWildlifeDepartment of Conservation & RecreationBay State Forestry

tlautzenheiser@massaudubon.org