| Website Offers Forest
Conservation Information
(Note: Your taxpayer dollars being used for 'conservation' -- i.e., the locking up of resources like trees, water and land -- without your approval.) July 1, 2003 Arlington, Virginia (ENS) - The Nature Conservancy and the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service have launched a website for private forest landowners and managers whose primary management objective is forest conservation. "The urgent need for conservation means we cannot afford to repeat past mistakes or ignore past successes," said Jonathan Adams, program director for conservation knowledge and communities at the Nature Conservancy. "This website will not only provide foresters and private landowners with current, useful information on how to manage their lands for conservation and non-timber values, but also enable them to share their own experiences and expertise with the broader conservation community." The site, at: http://www.privateforest.org, has four primary sections offering information and support for conservation minded forest owners and managers. The Library offers a link to The Nature Conservancy's database of forestry related resources. At the online discussion forum, moderated by a Department of Agriculture Forest Service expert, users can share information and seek answers to forest management questions. The Forest Management 101 section offers basic information about forest management. The State Resources section provides links to individual state forestry resources. "The Forest Stewardship Program is an important aid for people who want to manage their forests to benefit wildlife and water quality as well as timber production," said Joel Holtrup, deputy chief for state and private forestry. The website is supported by the Forest Service's Forest Stewardship Program, a 10 year old program run jointly with state forestry agencies that encourages forest owners to actively manage their forests by providing technical assistance nationwide. The site is maintained by The Nature Conservancy and funded in part by the Forest Service. |