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News and Events
New Wildlife Forestry Program Offered by Delta Wildlife
Friday, March 07, 2008
Delta Wildlife is pleased to announce the commencement of a new Forest Management for Wildlife Habitat Program. Delta Wildlife members may request the services of our Registered Forester to assist in achieving wildlife and forestry management goals. Management plans and recommendations are tailored to fit a landowner’s specific goals or objectives. The program is split in to three levels:
Level 1
This most basic program involves a “window cruise”, or walkthrough of the property to assess the current condition of the forest stand. Delta Wildlife staff will observe and document species composition, species diversity, stem density, canopy density, available browse and forage food sources, understory species composition, and overall forest health. These factors will be considered to develop a general written recommendation of forest management practices enabling the landowner to achieve their specific wildlife habitat management goals.
Level 2
This program is designed for the forest landowner interested in active management of their forest stand. To assess forest stand conditions, Delta Wildlife staff will conduct an intensive ground survey of existing wildlife habitat conditions and contract a Mississippi Registered Forester to perform a timber cruise and estimate current stand volumes. The landowner will be responsible for the cost of the timber cruise. Using the cruise data, Delta Wildlife staff will develop a specific forest management plan that will include:
- Current assessment of forest stand and wildlife habitat conditions
- Current estimate of timber volume and value
- General management recommendations for 1 rotation or a 50 year period
- Specific management recommendations for a 10 year period
Level 3
Landowners participating in the Level 2 program will have the option to participate in this advanced program if immediate timber harvest could be utilized to improve wildlife habitat on their property. Delta Wildlife staff will oversee the implementation of the forest management plan. A Registered Forester will be contracted to administer the timber sale at the landowners expense (which can be deducted from timber harvest revenues), while Delta Wildlife ensures the harvest is performed to specifications and to meet the wildlife habitat improvement objectives of the landowner.
For additional information or to sign up for the program contact Delta Wildlife at 662-686-3370.