WVFA Mountain State Forestry Spring 2021

T R E E F A R M N E W S www.wvfa.org Spring 2021 | West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry 21 improved wildlife habitat, and 20% have reduced invasive plants. Only 5% have a written management plan, and 8% have received woodland management advice in the previous five years. They are Older The average age of primary decision makers for family-owned woodland in West Virginia is 63 years. 11% of acres are owned by people who plan to transfer some or all of their wooded land in the next five years, and a majority of ownerships (74%) are worried about keeping the land intact for future generations. 68% of primary decision makers are male. Conclusions Woodland conservation and management depend on the people who own it—in West Virginia, half of these acres are held by individuals and families. Owners care about and manage their wooded land, but often the traditional forms of engagement, such as having a management plan or getting advice from a professional, are not widely used. Understanding the threats to the land—including the loss of forest through development, parcelization, invasive plants, disease, and insects, and other issues—is critical for conservation efforts. Using a common language and designing policies and programs that meet the needs of landowners and professionals will have a major impact on the current and future owners and the vital lands that they own. For more results, visit the USDA Forest Service’s National Woodland Owner Survey website at www.fia.fs.fed.us/nwos. To learn more about the services and resources available to woodland owners in your state, contact your local forestry agency or association. Emma Sass is a Research Fellow with the Family Forest Research Center and University of Massachusetts Amherst. Brett Butler is a Research Forester with the USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station and Family Forest Research Center.