AN
OVERVIEW OF THE DRAFTWOOD CERTIFICATION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY
SENSITIVELY HARVESTED FOREST PRODUCTS IN THE APPALACHIAN REGION
Stewardship, in the
simplest definition, means leaving a place better than you found it.
The goal of this process is to use the best knowledge and experience
of woods workers to improve the forest and environment, while
addressing human needs for forest products. The results of these
methods are an improved forest value and a preserved woodland
ecology. With this approach and philosophy we attempt to manage the
forest in the best way possible, given the many site specific factors
each piece of woodland presents.
It is
recognized that each site has its own specific history and
characteristics, particular to itself. These considerations shall be
taken into account in the selection process of deciding which trees
are to be harvested. It is understood that generally most timberland
has been subjected to high grading or removing only the best and
leaving the rest, for the past several harvests. In order to correct
this history of bad management, we propose to take the worst first
and remove enough trees to keep the forest in a natural state of
nearly continuous canopy, diversified tree species, undisturbed soil
structure, protected stream courses and nurtured biology.
Each site will
probably have it's own harvest rotation schedule unique to it's own
characteristics and history. We plan for the rotations to be 10-30
years apart. The selection shall be balanced in that all tree
species will be harvested when mature, not just the valuable ones.
The result will be a many aged forest of varied height, age,
diameter, maturity, etc. This will be an imitation of nature’s
own process, as seen in a virgin forest.
Each tree will be
viewed as an individual, yet a part of the whole forest. The
individual trees will be selected for harvest with consideration of
its species, state of health, age, relationship to its neighbors, and
aspect and exposure to the sun. Every skill shall be employed to
fell each individual with minimum damage to the surrounding, residual
trees. These skills will be integrated with safety for the operator
and training will be provided to teach these practices and methods.
The
results of this work will be an improved forest in all respects, and
a certified environmentally sensitively harvested Appalachian forest
product. This will support the development of the marketing of a
source differentiated identity forest product. This is socially
responsible forest management. This is source sensitive extraction of
natural resources. This approach is third part certified to be
within these standards by volunteer community members that have no
ownership or relation to he land, forest or forest products industry.
This will allow the environmentally concerned consumer an
opportunity to support protecting the environment through their
purchasing power. The Environmentally Sensitive Logging and Lumber
Co., Inc will market such products under the trade name of Draftwood
Products.
The
ethical and humane treatment of the workstock employed to accomplish
this low impact extraction is equal and integral to the sensitive
concern for the environment in which they operate. Guidelines and
standards of minimal treatment are included in the standards
statement. Assistance to all practitioners as available is given.
This includes the spirit which true animal “husbandry” implies
metaphorically, that of being married to these wonderful creatures.
We (humans and domesticated animals) are all working together for our
economic and ecological survival within principals of planetary
stewardship, as dedicated individuals working hard to do our tiny
parts within the interconnected web of life. It is indeed in the
best interest of the human forest stewardship practitioner to keep
their animal workstock in the best condition possible, at all times.
We are dedicated to
the concept that if you can show within local communities that taking
care of their environment by practicing good stewardship will in turn
take care of them, then everyone will have an understood and
perceived place in protecting the forest around them. This is a
natural selection method of timber harvesting by imitating nature in
a complimentary way.
Jason Rutledge,
Biological Woodsman
Consulting Forester
