Massachusetts has Something in Common with China - Political Forestry

Did China just create a model for recovery of the world’s forests?

In the US, after the 19th and 20th centuries, the eastern broadleaf forest grew back from being cleared for cattle and sheep. This was, because of the railroads importing fossil fuel (mostly coal in those days) which replaced firewood. This forest return over all of New England was the first in all the world, yet the farmers of New England don't even know that the Great North Eastern New England Forest is impressive and unique. All politicians, President Obama and Senator Sanders for example, now are giving the go ahead to farmers to once again cut and totally exploit the forests which have taken one hundred and fifty years to re-grow. The proof of the returned forest can be seen anywhere in New England. Stone fences crisscross the land under the now returned forest canopies. There are few pastures, only trees, but this one hundred fifty year progress (via neglect) may be reversed by China-like selfishness. --- Richard H Stafursky

Buckland State Forest is under constant threat from State Forestry planners. Our friends group asks that all logging, hunting and other resource extraction end on Buckland State Forest acres. Actually, ending some destructive practice is easy. No research is required; just end it and the species' forest will return. The centuries of damage by the State of Massachusetts to this species' forest (Buckland State Forest) can be fixed within a few years. Invasive plants will grow less once this habitat "enhancement" is ended and the canopy returns and shades out invasives. This canopy return and the dynamic natural equilibrium which follows will also eliminate the hunter's excuse to manage and kill the mega-fauna for bushmeat.

Both eastern China and Northeastern US have a history of returned forests. The mature forests are our asset, not the biomass, firewood, paper and lumber from these  mature forest. Locals live in the middle of this magnificent forest, but they don't see it. We must praise the result of forest neglect over the centuries. We must not have politicians quietly form their plans for this species' forest destruction.

All are welcome to join Friends of Buckland State Forest, Buckland, MA (US) Please call Richard (Dick) Stafursky (802) 258-7845 Cell

"Woodlands" Is A Term Used By Commercial Foresters.

LinkedIn Question

What have you done for the environment?

Buckland State Forest has been defined as a "woodlands" by logging interests. This designation will make it very difficult for Friends to stop commercial logging here, but Friends will try. For years commercial loggers have looked upon Buckland State Forest with envious eyes and they have quietly made their plans.

If you are not a member of LinkedIn it is easy to do and it is free. The above link will ask you to join.

The above question was answered by hundreds of people both government workers and ordinary people. Ordinary people are great contributors to projects and ideas because their job is not at stake. Too often we go to meetings where professional foresters and professional ecologists answer questions by simply referencing code, law, government policy, "best practice" management practices written by commercial foresters and many other "official" resource guides.

South River State Forest, Conway, MA (US) is only a few miles from Buckland State Forest. It is a little lower in altitude and it is adjacent to the Deerfield River. Other than that the forest is just about the same.

South River State Forest is about to be logged by private contractors. The public cannot trust the reports and studies done by the state. That is because logging in Massachusetts' lands are motivated and legislated by stakeholders and not ethical conservationists. A stakeholder is a person or organization which as a money or property interest in some action. Only ethical conservationists have an interest in the well being of the forest and do not intervene except for true management of human caused problems (such as invasives, forest diseases and non-native species). The healthiest forest is a species' forest (aka a natural forest). Consultants who are hired by the state, by definition, never are independent experts. They are always looking for the next paying customer and that is usually the State.

So check out these global and nationwide thoughts written by stakeholders and non-stakeholder alike.

Massachusetts Commonwealth state species' forest that are approved for logging are renamed "woodland" at the suggestion of commercial logging companies.  This renaming was intentional as to make it appear that logging of these species' forest was the true order of things. No, forests do not have such an innate resource purpose.

Buckland State Forest Friends, Buckland, MA (US) Fall 2014 Report

Buckland State Forest Friends, Buckland, MA (US)

Fall 2014 Report

It is almost October 2014 and the Buckland State species' forest will soon be in harm's way by people going there to kill native species. About this time we have seen people carrying in shooting blinds to be installed in trees. During this "season" people will go into the State Forest to kill the local native mega-fauna. Obviously, this will discourage other people from walking in this State species' forest.

The few marked foot trails here are fairly neglected. Most of them are actually old coach roads with stone walls on each side of the ways. Just after Flagg Mountain was purchased by Mass Fish & Game one of these ways was used as access by vehicle to get to the Flagg Mountain boundaries deep in the woods. This way also was used in the recent past by the owner of Flagg Mountain to mark his twenty-four unit ill-fated subdivision plan for Flagg Mountain. Unfortunately, now that Flagg Mountain and Buckland State Forest are State controlled people seeking to kill mega-fauna will no doubt access both species' forests by this one way.

People walking in the woods in the Fall should wear day-glow yellow. Blue and orange are also part of wild turkey colors and might actually put you in gun sights.

Unlike the now dedicated State Flagg Mountain with its invasive infested ghost subdivision the Buckland State Forest has fewer invasive plants. We hope that next year we will walk this species' forest to see the extent of the old tree plantation containing non-native trees. We probably will need help in identifying the non-natives. We have learned that non-native trees can self re-populate especially after trees are cut. We have spoken to State foresters and they have said that the State does not normally kill non-native tree saplings after a forest cut. Reversing the plantation damage will be difficult. If the State removes mature non-native tree species the Buckland State Forest Friends and the State can brain storm to find a way to kill the plantation foolishness of the past.

To be continued . . .