Enviva/Endowment Working Bottomland Hardwood Forest

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Enviva/EndowmentWorkingBottomlandHardwoodForestWorkshopMeetingReport

ExecutiveSummary InFebruary2016EnvivaHoldingsLP(Enviva)andtheU.S.EndowmentforForestryandCommunities(Endowment)initiatedanefforttoidentifyandengagepartnerstoco-createactionablerecommendationsforprivatelandownersandcompaniesprocuringwoodfromworkingbottomlandhardwoodforests/wetlandforests(hereinafterreferredtocollectivelyasbottomlandhardwoodforests),inordertoenhanceecologicalattributesandbenefitsofworkingforestsinNorthCarolinaandVirginia.Bybringingtogethermultiplestakeholders,theobjectivewastocreatescience-based,practical,andeconomicallyviableforestmanagementstrategieswithabroadbaseofsupportamongpractitioners.Inaddition,EnvivaandtheEndowmentsoughttoidentifyideasandcollaborativesolutionsthatwouldencourageprivateforestlandownerstomanageandprotecttheseforestsforthelongterm.Whencomplete,therecommendationswereintendedtobuilduponbenefitscurrentlyprovidedbytheexistingBestManagementPractices(BMPs)designedtoprotectwaterquality.

Thisco-creationprocessbeganwithinterestedorganizationssubmittingExpressionsofInterest(EOIs)toprovideafoundationforthediscussionsdescribedintheMay2016Co-CreationWorkshopandsummarizedinthisreport.TheCo-CreationWorkshoptookplaceinRoanokeRapids,NorthCarolinafromMay10–May12andconvenedstakeholderswithexpertiseinmanagingbottomlandhardwoodforests,includinglandowners,foresters,Federalandstatenaturalresourcesagencies,universityscientists,conservationandlandtrustnon-governmentalorganizations(NGOs),andtimberharvesters.

PurposeandObjectives

Thepurposeofthemeetingwastocreatescience-basedforestmanagementandharvestingrecommendationsthatlandownerscouldemploy,inadditiontoexistingBMPsforprotectingwaterquality,toyieldaddedecologicalbenefitsinworkingbottomlandforests.Envivacommittedtoadoptspecificrecommendationsthatfititsobjectivesandsphereofinfluencewhile,alongwiththeEndowment,providingthelearningsfromtheworkshoptootherlandownersandprocuringorganizations.

Thethreeobjectivesforthesessionwereasfollows:

1. Todevelopasetofforestmanagementrecommendationstoenhancetheenvironmentalandconservationattributesofbottomlandhardwoodforeststhat:

• Arebasedonthebestscienceavailable;• Willimproveecologicaloutcomesformanagedbottomlandhardwoodforests;• Arepracticalforalandownerorprocuringorganizationtounderstandandimplement;and,

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• Areeconomicallyviableforlandownersand/orprocuringorganizations.

2. Todevelopasetofrecommendationsonwaystoincentivize,support,andencouragethesystemofactorsinlandmanagementtovoluntarilymanageandenhanceecologicalattributesoftheseforestsovertime,irrespectiveofwhomaybethelandownerorcustomerfortheirwood.

3. Toidentifymajorinformationgapsandresearchneededinordertobetterunderstandforestmanagementimpactsandoptionsinworkingbottomlandhardwoodforests.

Theworkshopproducedanumberofmanagementandimplementationrecommendationsandidentifiedresearchgaps.Eachisdescribedingreaterdetailinthisreport.EnvivaandtheEndowmentcommittedtoreviewtheresultsoftheworkshopandtoprovidetheopportunityforcontinuedinputfromparticipantsthroughouttheco-creationprocess.

Managementrecommendationsincludedforestpracticesthatwouldimproveworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestconditionswithrespecttoissuessuchasenhancementofhabitatforbiodiversity,standregeneration,andconservationofspecialhabitatsandecotypes.Implementationrecommendationsoutlinedideasonhowtosupportlandowners,foresters,andtimberharvesterstovoluntarilyadoptthemanagementrecommendationsandtobettermanagetheseforesttypesformultipleobjectives,includingbiodiversityandlong-termsustainability.

Additionally,participantsidentifiedanumberofinformationgapsrelatedtoworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestmanagementwhereresearchcouldimproveforestmanagementrecommendations.

ParticipantsalsooutlinedaHarvestChecklisttoolthat,withfurtherdevelopment,couldprovideguidanceontheappropriatenessofharvestataspecificsitebasedonavarietyofweightedfactors.

Lastly,participantsreviewedandprovidedfeedbackonthespecialecotypes(baldcypress/tupeloswamps,Atlanticwhitecedarstands,naturalpocosinsandCarolinabays)whichEnviva,inconsultationwiththeEndowment,hadpreviouslycommittedtoprotectincooperationwithprivatelandowners.

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EXECUTIVESUMMARY..........................................................................................................................1PURPOSEANDOBJECTIVES.............................................................................................................................1

BACKGROUND......................................................................................................................................4CO-CREATIONPROCESS.................................................................................................................................5WORKSHOPCONTEXT-SETTING.......................................................................................................................7

DEFININGTHEOPPORTUNITIESFORIMPROVEMENT............................................................................8PROCESS.....................................................................................................................................................8

Table1:RefinedForestManagementEnvironmentalandConservationOpportunityStatements.....9Table2:MajorInformationGaps.......................................................................................................10Table3:ImplementationChallengesIdentifiedFromPre-WorkshopInterviews...............................11Table4:TopImplementationChallengesAsVotedOnByParticipants.............................................12

ENVISIONINGTHEFUTURE.................................................................................................................12

CO-CREATINGTHESOLUTIONS...........................................................................................................13FORESTMANAGEMENTENVIRONMENTALANDCONSERVATIONRECOMMENDATIONS............................................13

Table5:VoluntaryForestManagementRecommendations..............................................................14IMPLEMENTATIONRECOMMENDATIONS.........................................................................................................17

Table6:ImplementationRecommendations.....................................................................................18Table7:ResearchOutline...................................................................................................................21Table8:HarvestChecklistOutline......................................................................................................22Table9:SpecialEcotypeandHabitatCriteria....................................................................................22

NEXTSTEPS........................................................................................................................................24

APPENDIX1–LISTOFINVITEDORGANIZATIONS................................................................................25

APPENDIX2–LISTOFATTENDEES......................................................................................................27

APPENDIX3–ADDITIONALRESOURCESIDENTIFIEDDURINGTHEWORKSHOP...................................31

APPENDIX4–WORKSHOPTOOLS......................................................................................................34TableofFiguresFIGURE1:THEBOTTOMLANDHARDWOODFORESTCO-CREATIONPROCESS.................................................................................6TABLE1:REFINEDFORESTMANAGEMENTENVIRONMENTALANDCONSERVATIONOPPORTUNITYSTATEMENTS...................................9TABLE2:MAJORINFORMATIONGAPS.................................................................................................................................10TABLE3:IMPLEMENTATIONCHALLENGESIDENTIFIEDFROMPRE-WORKSHOPINTERVIEWS.............................................................11TABLE4:TOPIMPLEMENTATIONCHALLENGESASVOTEDONBYPARTICIPANTS...........................................................................12TABLE5:VOLUNTARYFORESTMANAGEMENTRECOMMENDATIONS..........................................................................................14TABLE6:IMPLEMENTATIONRECOMMENDATIONS..................................................................................................................18TABLE7:RESEARCHOUTLINE.............................................................................................................................................21TABLE8:HARVESTCHECKLISTOUTLINE................................................................................................................................22TABLE9:SPECIALECOTYPEANDHABITATCRITERIA................................................................................................................22

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Background AboutEnvivaHoldingsLP:Enviva,theworld’slargestproducerofwoodpellets,hasrecentlycommittedtoseveralinitiativestopromotesustainableworkingforestswithinareaswhereitprocureswoodintheNorthCarolinaandVirginiaarea.Envivadoesnotownforestland;rather,itpurchaseswoodforitsproductionlargelyfromworkingforestsownedbyprivateforestlandownersorintheformofresidualsfromsawmillswithinitsoperatingarea.

Envivaoperatesthreewood-pelletproductionfacilitieswithintheNorthCarolina-Virginiacoastalplain,aregioncomprisedof6millionacresofforestsofalltypesthathavebeenharvestedforavarietyofwoodproductsforcenturies.About20%oftheregioniscomprisedofworkingbottomlandhardwoodforests.Thesearelow-lying,marshyareasnearriversandstreamsthatarehometotreespeciessuchascypress,gumandoakthatofferawidevarietyofenvironmentalbenefitsandcontainsomeofthemostuniqueplantandwildlifecommunitiesintheAtlanticcoastalplain.

Toadvancetheireffortstoencouragesustainablemanagementoftheseforests,Envivahastakenthefollowingsteps:

1. InDecember2015thecompanyestablishedtheEnvivaForestConservationFundwhichisadministeredbytheEndowment–a$5million/10-yearefforttoprotectworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestsinNorthCarolinaandVirginia;

2. EnvivaimmediatelybeganworkingwithprivatelandownersfromwhomitprocureswoodtoprotectdiscreteecologicalelementsincludingthespecialecotypesreferredtointheExecutiveSummary:baldcypress/tupeloswamps,Atlanticwhitecedarstands,andnaturalpocosinsandCarolinabays;

3. EnvivaandtheEndowmentareco-fundingaprocess(thisworkshop)toidentifyadditionalscience-basedrecommendationsthatanycompanyand/orlandownercouldemploybeyondBestManagementPracticestoprotectwaterqualitythatwouldyieldaddedecologicalbenefitsinworkingbottomlandhardwoodforests.

TolearnmoreaboutEnviva’sholisticapproach,visitwww.envivaforestfund.org.

AbouttheEndowment:TheEndowmentisanot-for-profit,publiccharity.ItwasestablishedSeptember21,2006,attherequestofthegovernmentsoftheU.S.andCanadainaccordancewiththetermsofthe2006SoftwoodLumberAgreementbetweenthetwocountries.

TheEndowmentworkscollaborativelywithpartnersinthepublicandprivatesectorstoadvancesystemic,transformative,andsustainablechangeforthehealthandvitalityofthenation’sworkingforestsandforest-reliantcommunities.Endowmentleadersoftenstatethisinshorthandas:1)keepingworkingforestsasforests;and2)advancingfamily-wagejobsinruralforestcommunities.

TheEndowmentoperatesundera“theoryofchange”thatfocusesonworkinthreeareas:retainingandrestoringhealthyworkingforests;promotingandcapturingmultiplevaluestreams;andenhancingcommunitycapacity,collaboration,andleadership.TolearnmoreabouttheEndowmentvisitwww.usendowment.org.

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Co-CreationProcess Challengesandpotentialsolutionstoenhancingtheconservationandenvironmentalvalueswithinworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestarecomplexandinsomecasesnotwell-understood.Forthatreason,EnvivaandtheEndowmentinitiatedaco-creationprocess(depictedinFigure1)whichenlistedawidevarietyofexpertiseandperspectivestohelpdefinetheopportunitiesanddesignarangeofsolutionsthatwouldworkeffectivelyinpractice.Additionally,byincludingabroadrangeofstakeholderstocreatesolutions,theyhopedtoidentifypotentialpartnerstohelpadvancecommonobjectives.

TheprocessbeganwithajointlyissuedrequestforExpressionsofInterest(EOIs)inFebruary2016.Thisrequestwenttoawiderangeoforganizationswithexpertiseinsouthernforestmanagementandconservation,andwasintendedtoidentifypartnersinterestedinco-creatingrecommendationsthatprivatelandownersand/orcompaniesprocuringwoodfromworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestscouldusetoenhancetheecologicalattributesandbenefitsofworkingforestsinNorthCarolinaandVirginia.

SpecificallyfortheEOIs,theEndowmentandEnvivarequestedproposedsolutionsthat:

• Werebasedonthebestscienceavailable;• Wouldimproveecologicaloutcomesformanagedbottomlandhardwoodforests;• Incentivizedlandownerstovoluntarilymanageandenhancetheirforestsovertime,irrespective

ofwhothelandownerisorthecustomerfortheirwood;• Werepracticalforalandownerorprocuringorganizationtounderstandandimplement;• Wereeconomicallyviableforlandownersand/orprocuringorganizations.

Additionally,theEndowmentandEnvivasoughtpartnerswithatleastoneormoreofthefollowingattributes:

• Expertiseinappliedconservationscienceofsouthernworkingbottomlandhardwoodforests,sensitiveecotypes,wildlifehabitat,andriparianzones;

• Expertiseinhydrology;• Expertiseindevelopingand/orimplementingprivateforestconservationincentiveprograms;• Expertiseandexperienceinengagingprivateforestownersonsustainableforestmanagement

practices;• Expertiseandpracticalexperienceinforestmanagement,silvicultureandharvestingtechniques

insouthernworkingbottomlandhardwoodforests;• Experienceinleveragingfundingorin-kindsupportfromothersources;• Useofknowledgeandtoolsappliedinsustainableforestmanagementandconservation;• Abilitytoincreasetheadoptionofproveninnovationsinsuchawaythatsystems(aroundthe

problem)cansustainthedesiredresultswithminimalexternalinputs;• Stronglikelihoodofachievingasubstantialimpact;and/or

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• Enhancementofongoingworktosustainablymanagesouthernworkingbottomlandhardwoodforests.

InadditiontotherequestforEOIs,thepartnersinvitedawiderangeofparticipantswithdemonstratedinterestinthemanagementofsouthernworkingbottomlandhardwoodforeststoparticipateinaco-creationworkshop.SeeAppendix1foracompletelistoforganizationsinvitedtoparticipateintheco-creationprocess.

Inthenextstepoftheco-creationprocess,thefacilitationteamconductedpre-workshopinterviewswiththeparticipantsinordertoestablishabaselineunderstandingofthedifferentperspectivesandideaswithrespecttochallengesandsolutionstoenhancingconservationandenvironmentalvaluesofbottomlandhardwoodforests.Thefacilitationteamconducted26interviewsessionsinall,andusedtheinformationgathered,alongwiththeEOIs,toframetheworkshopagenda.

Finally,aco-creationworkshopwasconvened,whichenabledparticipantswithabroadrangeofexpertise,perspectives,andintereststodefinetheproblemsandopportunities,avisionforthefuture,andpotentialsolutions.Theworkshopprocessdetailsandresultsaredescribedthroughoutthisreport.

Figure2:TheBottomlandHardwoodForestCo-CreationProcess

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WorkshopContext-Setting ToensureparticipantshadasharedunderstandingofthecurrentstateofworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestsinNorthCarolinaandVirginia,anumberofcontext-settingactivitieswereconductedoverthecourseofthe3-dayworkshop.Theworkshopbeganwithafieldtourtohelpparticipantsseerelevantforestmanagementpracticesinthefield.Italsoprovidedparticipantsanopportunitytohearaboutspecificlandmanagementexamples,toseethestateofregenerationonspecifictractsofland,andtobetterunderstandtheimportanceofminimizingdisruptionstonaturalhydrologicregimes.Unfortunatelyswollenstreamsresultingfromrecentheavyrainspreventedtheentireplannedtourfrombeingcarriedout.

Followingthefieldtour,EOIsubmitterssharedtheirsolutionconceptswiththeotherparticipants.Thedayconcludedwithaseriesofcontext-settingpresentationson:

• VitalIssues:Participantsdevelopedashortlistofthemostimportantissuestheyneededadditionalbackgroundonbeforetheworkshopbeganthefollowingday.

• StateoftheForest:TheUSDAForestServiceSouthernResearchStationdescribedthe“Statusandtrendsofworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestsinthemid-Atlanticregion.”

• TheForestGuild’sFieldReport:TheForestGuilddiscussed“Issues,threats,andconservationconcernsinbottomlandhardwoodforestsofthesoutheasternUnitedStates.”

• InterviewThemeSynopsisandanOverviewofOpportunitiesforImprovement:ThefacilitationteamreviewedthethemesresultingfromtheinterviewswithspecificattentiongiventotheOpportunitiesforImprovementidentifiedbymeetingparticipants.

Day2context-settingactivitiesincludedpresentationsonthefollowingtopics:

• Enviva’sPerspective:IncludinginsightsintoEnviva’smotivationsforinitiatingthisprocessincollaborationwiththeEndowment,statisticsaboutEnviva’ssourcingbasedonanumberofdifferentfactors,andanoverviewofthekindsofinputEnvivawashopingtosolicitthroughtheco-creationprocess.

• TheNorthCarolinaForestService’sRoleinBestManagementPracticesandForest

Management:Includingapplicableforestryregulations,statisticsoncomplianceratesandhelpfulreferencematerials.

• TheVirginiaDepartmentofForestryWaterResourcesProgram:Includinginformationaboutthedepartment,itsroleineducation,inspection,andenforcement,andstatisticsaboutthestateofforestmanagementinVirginia.

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DefiningtheOpportunitiesforImprovement

Process

Thefacilitationteamusedinformationgleanedfrompre-workshopinterviewsandEOIstocreateadraftlistofopportunitiesidentifiedbyworkshopparticipantstoleadtobettermanagementofconservationandenvironmentalattributesofworkingbottomlandforest.Thefacilitatorsorganizedtheseopportunitiesintothefollowingthreecategories,inlinewiththethreeworkshopobjectives:

1. Forestmanagementimprovementsthatcouldenhancetheenvironmentalandconservationattributesofbottomlandhardwoodforests.

2. Majorinformationgaps,thatiffilled,wouldimprovetheforestmanagementrecommendations.3. Waystoincentivize,support,andencouragethesystemofactorsinlandmanagementto

voluntarilymanageandenhanceecologicalattributesoftheseforestsovertime.

Thefacilitationteamsharedthisdraftlistofopportunitieswiththeparticipantsonthefirstdayoftheworkshopandinvitedparticipantstothinkaboutthelistovernightandcomebackwithquestionsandreactions.

Onthesecondday,thefacilitationteamdividedparticipantsintosmallergroups,eachcomprisedofamixoforganizationsandperspectives.Thefacilitationteamrandomlyassignedthedraftforestmanagementenvironmentalandconservationopportunitystatementstothesesmallergroupsinordertodiscussandrefinethem.Throughaseriesofexercisesthatallowedforsmallgroupdiscussionandmultipleroundsofsmall-groupandplenaryfeedback,participantsrefinedandreframedtheirassignedopportunitystatementstobeimpactful,actionable,andamoreaccuratearticulationoftheissueasperceivedbytheparticipantsasawhole.Table1inthe“OpportunityStatement”sectionprovidesthefinalrevisedopportunitystatements.ThesestatementswerethebasisfordevelopingthevoluntaryforestmanagementrecommendationsasdescribedinTable5ofthe“ForestManagementEnvironmentalandConservationRecommendations”section.

Thefacilitatorsthenaskedparticipantstoreviewthelistofmajorinformationgapsidentifiedfrompre-workshopinterviewsandEOIs(seeTable2),thatiffilled,wouldimprovetheforestmanagementrecommendations.Thoseparticipantsself-identifyingasresearchersvotedonthehighestpriorityinformationgapresultingintheselectionof“Longtermresultsonregenerationandproductivityofsitesharvestedinstandingwater.”ThisinformationgapwasthefocusofaresearchproposaloutlinedescribedinTable7ofthe“ImplementationRecommendations”section.

Theparticipantsthenreviewedthedraftlistofopportunitiesidentifiedfrompre-workshopinterviewsandEOIs(seeTable3)thatrelatedto“implementationchallenges”inincentivizing,supporting,and

encouragingthesystemofactorsinlandmanagementtovoluntarilymanageandenhancethe

ecologicalattributesoftheseforestsovertime.Eachparticipantvotedfortheonechallengefromthelisttheyfeltwasmostsignificant,resultinginthemajorityofthevotesgoingtothefourissuesidentifiedinTable4ofthe“OpportunityStatements”section.Theseissueswereusedasthebasisofdeveloping

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theimplementationrecommendationsasdescribedinTable6ofthe“ImplementationRecommendations”section.

OpportunityStatements:Usingtheprocessdescribedintheprevioussection,theparticipantsdevelopedthefollowingopportunitystatements.Aftertheworkshop,EnvivaandtheEndowmentcategorizedtheseopportunitiesasfollows:

• Stand-level--whereanindividuallandownercantakeunilateralactiontoaddress.• Landscape-level–wheretheissuerequiresmultiplelandownersandstakeholderstotake

action.

Table1:RefinedForestManagementEnvironmentalandConservationOpportunityStatements

Small

Group

ID#

FinalizedStatementFromWorkingGroups

Stand-LevelOpportunities

4 Ensureharvestingwhendoneinstandingwateryieldsdesiredregenerationandlimitedsiteimpacts.

5 ExistingBMPsdoagoodjobofprotectingwaterqualityandsomewildlifespecies.Developrecommendationsforlandownersandmanagerstoachieveobjectivesbeyondwaterquality.

8 Withrespecttospecialecotypes(baldcypress/tupeloswamps,Atlanticwhitecedarstands,andnaturalpocosinsandCarolinabays):whilemoreinformationisneededtoassessthepresenceandamountsofthesehabitattypesintheirnaturalconditionontheonehand,andtherangeofappropriatemanagementinterventionsthatarecompatiblewithprotectionoftheirnaturalcharacterontheother,individuallandownersandmanagersshouldidentifywaystoprotectthebestexamplesofthesetypesasadditionalinformationisgathered.Toaidownersandmanagers,cleardefinitionsofspecialhabitattypesthatfacilitateeasyidentificationonthegroundmustbedeveloped.

StandandLandscape-LevelOpportunities

1 Howdoesworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestmanagement(orthelackthereof)createtreeageclassandspeciesdistributionproblems?Howdoesitcreatewithin-standstructureproblems?Often,thisproblemofpoorstandstructuraldiversityiscreatedinpartbypasthighgradingorotherinappropriateharvestapplicationsandinpartduetothelandownernotbeingawareofoptionsorimpacts.Developtoolsforpractitionerstohaveapositiveeffectontreeageclassandspeciesdistributionproblemsintheregularcourseofbusiness.

2 Determinehowforestownersandmanagersmaintainorincreasetheamountofworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestsanddecreasefragmentation:

1. Throughafforestation–toapredeterminedobjective2. Bymaintainingahealthyageclassdistributionwithintracts

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Small

Group

ID#

FinalizedStatementFromWorkingGroups

3. Byidentifyingandprioritizingmanagement/protectionoflargerblocksDeterminethefollowingparametersaboutold-growthbottomlandhardwoodforests:":

1. Whatageorstandfeaturesdefineoldgrowth?2. Howmuchexists?Howmuchisdesired?3. Identifywaystoadvanceold-growthand/orold-growthstructure/characteristics

throughmanagement

3 Structuralcomplexitycanbeaddressedbothatthestand-andlandscape-level.Promoteadoptionofforestmanagementplansthatempowerlandownerswithinformationandoptionstoaddressstructuralcomplexitybeforeharvest.

6 Identifyspecificsiteswhereregenerationisnotoccurringandascertaincauses.Developmanagementandregenerationresponseswherepossibletoremediate.Whereharvestingcannotbedonewithconfidenceresultinginsuccessfulregeneration,harvestingshouldbedelayed.

7 Invasivespecies(plant,insect/disease,animal)arenegativelyimpactingworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestsandassociatedhabitat.Developprocessesandtoolstoidentifyareassubjecttothreatfrominvasivespeciesandproviderecommendationstolandownersandmanagersforwaystominimizerisk/impact.

Table2:MajorInformationGaps

Gaps

1 Howbesttopromotemanagementplansforfamilyforestownerships.

2 Synthesizeknowledgeaboutmanagingworkingbottomlandhardwood/wetlandforestsystems.

3 Meanstoteach/trainforestryprofessionalsaboutmanagingworkingbottomlandhardwoodhardwoods.

4 Howtoaddressshortageofprofessionalswithexpertiseinthesesystems.

5 Impactonorganicvs.mineralsoilswhenharvestinginstandingwater.

6 Longtermresultsonregenerationandproductivityofsitesharvestedinstandingwater.

7 DefiningthepointofdiminishingecologicalreturnsforwidthofStreamsideManagementZones(SMZ).

8 Determiningindividualwildlifespeciesrequirements(especiallyinSMZs).

9 Theimpactonregenerationtiming&speciescompositionwhenharvestingisdoneinstandingwater.

10 Thebenefitsandchallengesassociatedwithintermediatestandtreatments.

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11 Additionalinformationontheamountofcoursewoodydebris(CWM)thatadvancesecologicaloutcomes.

12 Factorsaffectingregenerationafterharvest.

13 Bestpracticestoprotecthydrologicfunction.

14 Meanstoimplementadaptivemanagementpracticesasnewinformationbecomesavailable.

Notethatstatement#6“Longtermresultsonregenerationandproductivityofsitesharvestedinstandingwater”receivedthemostvotes.

Table3:ImplementationChallengesIdentifiedFromPre-WorkshopInterviews

ImplementationChallenges

1 Improvedrangeofchoicesforharvestingsystemsandregenerationtreatmentswouldrequireeitherinvestmentsbyharvestersorcosts/reducedincometolandowners.

2 Lackofeducation,easy-to-access/useinformation,and/oraccesstoon-demand/just-in-timetechnicalexpertiseimpedesdecisionmakingbylandowners,managersandharvesters.

3 Existingsustainableforestrymanagementincentiveslackadequatedata/scienceresultinginaninabilitytoreachtherightpeople/actorsinwaysthatwillaltertheirpracticesandbehaviorstodemonstrablyimprovesustainability(i.e.,forestscienceandsocialscienceneedsandrecommendationsareunclearresultinginmisalignedincentiveprograms).

4 Lackofstreamlinedeasementinfrastructure.[limitsparticipationandadoption]

5 Lackofinnovativeoptionsforincreasingparticipationinsustainableforestmanagementpracticeslimitstheoverallpotentialimpact/successofthesepractices.

6 Lackofresourcesandsupportforadoptionofsustainableforestmanagementpractices.

7 Landtaxvaluationmitigatesagainstlandownerinterestsinmaintaininghabitat.

8 Lackofdiverse,robustmarketsforvarioustypesofwoodyieldsalackofmarketincentivestoretain/maintaindifferentecotypestocountercompetinglandusesandencroachment(urban/suburbandevelopment,agricultureetc.).

9 Forestersandtimberharvestersdon'talwayshavepropertraininginspecializedsilviculturalpracticeslikethoseforworkingbottomlandhardwoodforests.

10 Landownersdon'talwayshavegoodand/orlow-costsourcesofadviceonstate-of-thearttraininginbestsilviculturalpracticesespeciallyinworkingbottomlandhardwoodforests.

11 ItisoftendifficulttoconvincealandownerofthebenefitsofemployingBMPsmuchlessadvancedecologicaloutcomepractices.Manyjustwanttomaximizereturnsfromharvest.

12 Landownersandforestersarenotalwaysawareofsilviculturaloptionstoenhanceecologicaloutcomesinworkingbottomlandhardwoodforests,

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Table4:TopImplementationChallengesAsVotedOnByParticipants

Challenge# ImplementationChallenge

5 Lackofinnovativeoptionsforincreasingparticipationinsustainableforestmanagementpracticeslimitingtheoverallpotentialimpact/successofthesepractices.

8 Lackofdiverse,robustmarketsforvarioustypesofwoodyieldsalackofmarketincentivestoretain/maintaindifferentecotypestocountercompetinglandusesandencroachment(urban/suburbandevelopment,agricultureetc.).

11 ItisoftendifficulttoconvincealandownerofthebenefitsofemployingBMPsmuchlessadvancedecologicaloutcomepractices.Manyjustwanttomaximizereturnsfromharvest.

12 Landownersandforestersarenotalwaysawareofsilviculturaloptionstoenhanceecologicaloutcomesinworkingbottomlandhardwoodforests.

EnvisioningtheFutureInordertoencouragebig-picturethinkinginpreparationfordevelopingcreativesolutionstothechallengesidentifiedintheprevioussection,participantswereaskedtoreflectonthefollowingquestionanddescribetheiridealfuture:

WhatifSouthernworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestscouldbeecologicallydiverse,sustainable,andhighlyprofitable?Whatwouldthatlooklike?

Listedbelowisasummaryofthoseresponses:

• 100%oflandownershaveaforestmanagementplan• Landmanagers,procurementorganizationsand/ornaturalresourcesagencieshaveland

managementassistanceforestersavailabletohelplandowners• Snags,coarsewoodydebrisandtwo-fourlargetrees/acreareretainedafterharvest• Monitoringprogramsareinplacetoassessecologicalsuccessanddataissharedwith

stakeholdersandavailabletothegeneralpublic• Viablecarbonmarketsexisttosupportecologicalpractices• Reliable&diversewoodmarketsareavailableforallgradesoftrees–especiallylow-grade

material• Landownersgetmoreincomefrombiomassharvests• Foreststandintermediatetreatmentsareavailablethatareeconomicallyviable• Landownersreceiveapremiumorarepaidforthecostsofimplementingecologicalapproaches• Timberharvester&forestertrainingiswidelyavailabletoensuretheyareequippedwiththe

latestinformationincludingpracticestoenhanceecologicaloutcomes

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• Landowner-to-landownereducationprogramsareinplacetomotivatefamilymembers&neighbors(cascadingeffect)

• Hydrologicfunctiondrivesharvestregenerationdecisions• Age&sizeclassdiversityoccursacrossthelandscape• Standsandlandscapesarefreeofinvasivespecies• Regenerationisadequate&siteappropriate• Harvestinghasminimalsiteimpact• Naturalhydrologyisnotchangedbymanagement• Stockingandpropermanagementareincentivizedovertime

Co-CreatingtheSolutions

ForestManagementEnvironmentalandConservationRecommendations

Followingtheprioritizationofthelistofopportunitiestobettermanagebottomlandhardwoodforestsforenvironmentalandconservationvalues(seeTable1),participantsselectedtheopportunityforwhichtheyweremostinterestedindevelopingrecommendations.Theythenbrokeintosmallergroupsanddevelopedtheirideasinastructuredformat,usingtheworksheetfoundinAppendix4.Throughaseriesofsmall-tablerotationsandplenaryfeedbacksessions,thegroupsrefinedtheirrecommendations.

Table5summarizestherecommendationstheworkinggroupsdevelopedtoaddresstheopportunitiesforimprovementlistedinTable1(groupnumberscorrespondtotheOpportunityforImprovementlistedinTable1).Notethatparticipantsdidnotdeveloprecommendationsthroughastrictconsensusprocess,andmanyoftheserecommendationsneedtobefurtherdevelopedandvettedbeforebeingimplemented.

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Table5:VoluntaryForestManagementRecommendations

Group

ID#

Opportunityfor

Improvement

Recommendation

1 Standstructuraldiversity:

Howdoesworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestmanagement(orthelackthereof)createtreeageclassandspeciesdistributionproblems?Howdoesitcreatewithin-standstructureproblems?Often,thisproblemofpoorstandstructuraldiversityiscreatedbyhighgradingorotherinappropriateharvestapplicationsutilizedinpartduetothelandownernotbeingawareofoptionsorimpacts.Howcanpractitioners,inthecourseofregularbusiness,haveapositiveeffectonthisproblem?

• Inordertoaddresspastmanagementdecisions,improve/restoreaproductivestate,andprovidethelandownerwitharangeofoptionsincludingthoserelatedtoenhancingbiodiversity,harvesting/procurementorganizationsshouldlaunchanoutreachprogramtoengagewithlandownersintheirsphereofinfluence.Thefirststepistoadvocatethateverylandownerhasasite-appropriatemanagementplan.Suchplansshouldincludetherangeofmanagementoptionsfromnomanagementtointensivecultureaswellasintermediatetreatments.

• AllinvolvedwithlandownersshouldadvocatethatthelandowneremployaprofessionalConsultingForester(CF)toaidtheminachievingtheirobjectivesandtoserveastheiragenttoensurethatplansandobjectivesareimplementedasexpected.

• Harvesting/procuringorganizationsmustunderstandthelandowner’smanagementobjectivesandworktoadvancethoseobjectivestotheextentpracticalwiththeCFworkingtoensurethatthelandowner’swishesandallcontractualobligationsaremet.

• Specifictoincreasingstandstructuraldiversity,prescriptionsthataddressseedtreesshouldbeincludedaswellasrecommendationsforharvestseasonality,avoidingdamagetoresidualtrees,andleavingwildlifehabitatfeaturessuchassnagsandcoarsewoodontheforestfloor.Alloftheseprescriptionsarewell-describedintheliteratureandshouldbeappropriatetothesite.Ondrybottomlandsitesthatmaybethinned,leave“guardtrees”toprotectthevaluablestemsintheresidualforest.

2 Maturehabitat:

Howcanforestownersandmanagersmaintainorincreasetheamountofworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestsanddecreasefragmentation:Throughafforestation–to

• Promotemanagementplansforalllandowners.• Wherepractical,restorehydrologicfunctionin

previouslyditchedanddrainedsites.• Ifneeded,replanttonativespecies.• Considerforestmanagementoptionstocreate

largerpatchsizesandmorewildlifehabitatenhancement.

• Createandimplementprogramstoexpandthenumberofprofessionalswithexpertisein

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Group

ID#

Opportunityfor

Improvement

Recommendation

apredeterminedobjectiveMaintainingageclassdistributionwithintractsIdentifyingandprioritizingmanagement/protectionoflargerblocksOld-Growth:Whatageorstandfeaturesdefineoldgrowth?1. Howmuchexits?How

muchisdesired?2. Identifywaysto

advanceold-growthand/orold-growthstructure/characteristicsthroughmanagement

managementofworkingbottomlandhardwoodforests.

3 Standandlandscape

structuraldiversity:

Structuralcomplexitycanbeaddressedbothatthestandandlandscapelevel.Promoteadoptionofforestmanagementplansthatarmlandownerswithinformationandoptionstoaddressstructuralcomplexitybeforeharvest.

Toaddressstructuralcomplexity:• Leaveanaverageof2-4treesperacrewithapreferencefor

seedtreesandwildlifetreeswithpotentialtobecomedominantover-storytrees.Note:whencruising,considerflaggingavaluabletree(e.g.cypress)andretainitandafewneighboringtrees.

• Retainsnags,particularlythoseoflarge-diameter,whenappropriateandsafe.

• Retainadiversityofcoarsewoodydebrisonsitepost-harvest.Considerleavingtops,somelow-qualitylogsintheshovelmat,andsomefinewoodymaterial.E.g.10%ofchipwoodonsite-leaving1outofevery10tops.

• Considerharvesttimingtooptimizeregenerationpotential-dryyears.

• Advancelandownerunderstandingofandappreciationforecologicalelementsandpractices,suchaswhyleavingsnagsandcoarsewoodymaterialisgoodforcertainwildlifespecies.

4 Harvestinginstanding

water:

Ensureharvestingwhendoneinstandingwater

• Timing:harvestduringdryperiodsasmuchaspossibletoaidregenerationfromseedandtoallowforoperatoraccuracy.

• Drainage:ensurethatadequatedrainage/hydrologicfunctionismaintainedtoallowwatermovement.

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Group

ID#

Opportunityfor

Improvement

Recommendation

yieldslimitedsiteimpactsanddesiredregeneration

• Seedtrees:leave8-10seedtreesperacretoencourageregeneration.

• Harvestabovethehigh-watermarktoallowforstumpsprouting.

• Useadequateclose-outproceduresafterharvest:retrieveshovelmatsandleavethesitewithaslittleunnecessarydisturbanceaspractical.

• Useharvesterswhoaretrainedandequippedtooperateonthesetypesofsites.

5 Streamsidebufferzones

withmultipleecological

benefits:

ExistingBMPsdoagoodjobofprotectingwaterqualityandsomewildlifespecies.Developrecommendationsforlandownerstoachieveobjectivesbeyondwaterquality.

• ToavoidhavingtoaddressspecificSMZwidthsforindividualwildlifespeciesadoptanecologicaloutcome-basedapproachfoundedonstreamorder.Suchanapproachwouldclusterecologicalbenefitsinamoreeasilyunderstoodandimplementedwaysoastoretaingreaterwildlifeandbiodiversityneedswithouttheneedtotryandoperateonaspecies-by-speciesapproach

• BMP-dictatedSMZsshouldbeusedon1storderstreamswithwidthincreasingasstreamorderincreases.Specificwidthsandallowedselectiveharvestinglevelsshouldbebasedonsite-andlandowner-specificmanagementplans.

• Toensurelongevityandmaximizehabitatvalueperpetualconservationeasementswithlow-intensitymanagementinterventionsshouldbeemployedwhereverpossible.

6 Standregeneration:

Identifyspecificsiteswhereregenerationisnotoccurringandascertaincauses.Developmanagementandregenerationresponseswherepossibletoremediate.Whereharvestingcannotbedonewithconfidenceinsuccessfulregeneration,harvestingshouldbedelayed.

• LandownersshouldhaveamanagementplaninplaceandtheserviceofaCFbeforeimplementingharvestingpractices.

• Ensurethathydrologyhasnotbeenalteredpriortoharvestandthatfunctionwillbemaintainedafterharvest.

• Payspecialattentiontodrainage,roads,culvertsandbeaveractivityinbothnewandoldroads.

• Usetemporaryvs.permanentcrossingswherepossible.• Augmentinformationonregenerationfollowingharvestwith

periodicpost-harvestsurveys.• Shareinformationwiththebroaderfieldofpractice.

7 Invasivespecies:

Duetootherhigherpriorities,participantsdid

• Duetootherprioritiesandlimitedtime,nospecificrecommendationsweredeveloped.

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Group

ID#

Opportunityfor

Improvement

Recommendation

notdeveloprecommendationsforthistopic.

8 Specialhabitatsand

ecotypes:

Withrespecttospecialecotypes(baldcypress/tupelostands,Atlanticwhitecedarstands,andnaturalpocosinsandCarolinabays):whilemoreinformationisneededtoassessthepresenceandamountsofthesehabitattypesintheirnaturalconditionontheonehand,andtherangeofappropriatemanagementinterventionsthatarecompatiblewithprotectionoftheirnaturalcharacterontheother,individuallandownersandmanagersshouldidentifywaystoprotectthebestexamplesofthesetypesasadditionalinformationisgathered.Toaidownersandmanagers,cleardefinitionsofspecialhabitattypesthatfacilitateeasyidentificationonthegroundmustbedeveloped.

Conductliteraturereviewstodetermineknowledgegapsregardingmanagementofthesespecialtypes;identifyresearchneedstofillgaps.Identifyexistingdatasetsforspecialhabitattypes(maybedifferentfordifferenttypes,i.e.landformsvscovertype)todeterminepresenceandprevalenceonthelandscape(mayrequire“ground-truthing”);makesureinformationisreadilyavailabletoCF/managers.• Developcriteriatohelpforesters/managersdetermineifthe

siteisofaqualitythatwarrantsspecialattention(mayendupwithmultiplethresholdsfordifferentlevelsofquality)–e.g.speciescomposition(plantand/oranimal),vegetativestructure,hydrology,availabilityofseedsource,conditionofadjacentlands,etc.).Developguidelinesformanagement(foreachspecialforesttype)ofthosesitesthatpassthethreshold(orvariousthresholdsbasedonquality).

• WithrespecttoCypress/Tupelostands,managementplansshouldinclude:o Leavingvisualbuffers(greaterthan50feet)along

navigablewaters.o Retainstringersofcypressonstreamchannels,leave

standingdeadcypressforseedsourceandwildlifeConsiderpartialharvestregimestomimicnaturaldisturbanceonthelandscape

ImplementationRecommendations

Followingtheprioritizationofthelistofopportunitiestoincentivize,support,andencouragethesystemofactorsinlandmanagementtovoluntarilymanageandenhanceecologicalattributesoftheseforestsovertime(seeTable4inthe“OpportunityStatements”section),participantswereaskedtoselectoneofthetopfourprioritychallengesforwhichtheyweremostinterestedindevelopingrecommendations.

18

Participantsformed4smallgroupsanddevelopedtheirideasinastructuredformat,usingtheworksheetfoundinAppendix4.

Someoftheparticipants,ratherthanworkoneofthefourpriorityimplementationchallengesdescribedabove,formedasmallgrouptocreatetheoutlineofapre-harvestchecklisttoolthatcouldenablebettermanagementdecisionmakinginbottomlandhardwoodforests.

Anothergroupformedtofurtherdeveloprecommendationsonwhethertoandhowtomanagespecialhabitatsandecotypes,withspecialattentiontocypress/tupelostands.

Thoseself-identifyingasresearchershadtheoptiontodeveloparesearchoutlinefortheinformationgap“Longtermresultsonregenerationandproductivityofsitesharvestedinstandingwater”prioritizedinthe"OpportunityStatements.”

Throughaseriesofsmall-tablerotationsandplenaryfeedbacksessions,allofthegroupsrefinedtheirideasandrecommendations.SeeTable6forImplementationRecommendations,Table7fortheResearchOutline,Table8fortheHarvestChecklistOutline,andTable9forrecommendationsforspecialhabitatsandecotypes.

Table6:ImplementationRecommendations

Rec.# Implementation

Opportunity

Recommendation

5 Innovativeoptionsforincreasingparticipationinsustainableforestmanagementpractices

• Enhancefinancialfeasibility:o Robustmarketsforforestproductsareperhaps

thesinglegreatesttooltoensurethatlandownerscanandwillinvestinmanagement.

o Incorporatehistoricallylowvaluetimberintohighervaluesolidwoodproduct.

o Developinnovativecostshareideastosubsidizenecessaryharveststoregeneratehigh-gradedstands.

• Supportlandowneroutreach/education:o Identifyandequiplandowneradvocatesto

championsustainablepractices.o Developregional/localconservationplansforlocal

reference.o Createdemonstrationforestsforlandowner

reference. Modifyeducationmaterialstobemoreuserfriendly(e.g.brief,layman’slanguage,and2-3minute“howto”videos).Connectlandownerstothelargerlandscapescale

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Rec.# Implementation

Opportunity

Recommendation

implicationso Identifycreativefundingsourcestoencourage

landownerparticipationandforestmanagementplanning.

o Considercorporate-fundedassistanceforesterstocreateforestmanagementplans.

o Dothenecessarysocialsciencenecessarytoimproveconveyanceandunderstanding.

• Increasecertificationenrollment:o Useconsultantswithgroupcertificatestolower

thecostofentryforsmallerprivatelandowners.o Certificationrequiresdocumentationof

sustainableforestmanagementpractices.Implementsystemsthatfitsmallacreageowners.

• Createsustainedfundingsourcestolandownersforconservationpractices:

o Encouragestatewideinitiativestoprovidefunding.

• Increaseloggercapacitytoharvestsustainably:o Workwithlargeoperatorstocreatesmallercrews

toimplementalternativeharvest/silviculturalpractices.

o Exploreinnovativedebtmechanismstohelpdefrayequipmentcostsrelatedtosustainableharvests.

o Explorecooperativelogisticstoreducecosts.o Providetechnicaleducationopportunitiesto

ensureawell-trainedworkforce.o Elevatepublicperceptionoftimberharvesters.

• Procuringorganizationsshouldworkdirectlywithlandownerstoprovideassistanceifitisn’tavailablefromothersources

8 Diverse,robustmarketsforvarioustypesofwoodcreatingmarketincentivestoretain/maintain

Robustmarketsforthefullrangeofproducts(size/species/qualityoftrees)onthelandisfoundationaltosuccessfullandmanagement.Iftherearenomarketsforspecialspecies/habitattypes(e.g.longleafpine,AtlanticWhiteCedar),manylandownerswillnotwanttoretainthemunlesscompensatedthroughothermeans.

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Rec.# Implementation

Opportunity

Recommendation

differentecotypes Therefore,educatelandowners,woodsuppliers,timberharvesters,andeconomicdevelopmentprofessionalsoftheimportanceofdiverseandnewmarketsforwoodproducts,eventoadvanceconservationobjectives.NoteForestproductslocator.orghasGISmapofproducers,mills,etc.

11 ConvincinglandownersofthevalueofretainingBMPs

• CommunicatetolandownersthatestablishingandembracingBMP’saheadofprospectiveharvestcansavemoneyandavoidpotentiallycostlyfinesorrehabilitationefforts.

• Considerwaystoaggregateservicestomeettheneedsandlowerthecostsforsmallerlandholders.

• Identifyandadvancecommunitiesoflandownersforpeer-to-peer“selling-in”ofthevalueofBMPsandotherecologicalpractices.

• ExploretheuseofPresentUseValues(PUVs)tooffsetthetaxliabilitythatalandownermayaccruewithrespecttoforeststreamsidebuffers.

• Exploreincentivesorcost-shareprogramstoaidlandownersinimplementingBMPs.

• Usepre-harvestplanningtocommunicatetoalandownerthevalueofBMPsaboveForestPracticeGuidelines.

• BenchmarkacrossstatestodeterminebestpracticesforencouraginglandownerstoimplementBMPs.

12 Silviculturaloptionsforenhancingbottomlandhardwoodforconservationvalues

• Encouragelandownersandoperatorstotakeadvantageoftrainingandinformationavailablefromstateagencies(NCFS,VDOF),ExtensionService,andothers.

• Createconsolidatedwebsite–createaone-stopshopforworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestmanagementinformationandresources.

• Createdemonstrationsitesshowcasingsoundforestmanagementoptions

• Developaseriesofleafletsonworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestmanagementoptions.

• Createapublicationonworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestimprovementpracticesandsourcesofcostshareavailability.

• DevelopaworkingbottomlandhardwoodforestschoolbasedonuplandhardwoodforestschoolalreadyinexistenceinNC(forpractitioners).

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Rec.# Implementation

Opportunity

Recommendation

• AddbottomlandhardwoodforesttrainingtoProLoggerandSHARPLoggertrainingprograms.

• Provideon-siteshorttrainingtoolfortimberharvesters.• Conductpre-harvestplanningandsitelayouttrainingfor

timberharvesters.• WorkwithNRCStomakebottomlandhardwoodforest

improvementtreatmentseligibleinCAP106program/plans.

• CreatePRvideosforthepublic–short,visualeasytodigestinformation–likeforestryfastbreakvideos.

• Ensureoutreachisgettingtootherissues–wildlife,ecosystemservices,socialaspects,carbon,etc.

• Createaseriesofbriefvideosthatshowgoodandbadharvestingandotherpractices.

• Makeresearchinformationmoreaccessible–especiallyolderdocumentsthatareout-of-printandnotdigitized.

• Recognizethatnotalllandownersareinternetsavvy.Usearangeofmethodsofdistribution(church,neighbors,etc.).

• Createreading-level-appropriateversionsoftechnicalmaterialstoaidingettinginformationintothehandsoflandowners.

Table7:ResearchOutlineInformationGap ResearchQuestionsThatWouldBeAddressedByProposalOutline

Potentialproblemsassociatedwithharvestinginstandingwater:• Impactson

regeneration• Impactson

drainage/soils• Impactsonwildlife• Impactsonlong-term

productivity/andvalue

• Dothetimingandconditionsduringharvestaffectregenerationsuccessandspeciescomposition?

• Howdodifferentbufferwidthsaffectwildlifecommunitycomposition?• Whataretheimpactsofshovelloggingondrainageandsoilproperties?• Whatisthesuccessionalpatternfollowingshovelloggingoverlonger

periodsoftime?• WhataretheeffectsofSMZwidthonsedimentandsedimentsensitive

species?• DocumentcoarsewoodydebrisinSMZ’s&harvest• Designresearchtoevaluatepost-harvestsitesnowinsteadof(orin

additionto)pre-andpost-harvestcomparisonsinordertogetquickerresults.

--Note:thereisverylittleresearchonimpactsofshovelloggingonbottomlandhardwoodforestssothiswouldfillarelativelyuniquegap.At

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thesametimeresultsbeapplicabletoarelativelylimitednumberofsitesacrossthelandscape.

Table8:HarvestChecklistOutlineHarvestChecklistGoal HarvestChecklistOutline

Withagroupofexperts,developa“red-yellow-green”checklisttoassistforestersandtimberharvestersinaskingtherightquestionswithrespecttoappropriatemanagementoptionswithinbottomlandhardwoodforests.Thechecklistwouldenable:• Harvestingwithout

damagetosite• Harvestingto

enhancethestandandencourageregeneration

• Identificationof“showstoppers”andhowtohandlethese

• Standconditionso Speciescomposition&size/ageo Advancedregenofdesiredspecieso Species-sitesuitabilityo Invasivesthreatpost-harvesto UniqueorT&Especies&naturalcommunitiesof

conservationconcern• Floodingregime(includingalterations)

• Soiltype(includingassociatedsiteproductivity)

• Landownerobjectiveso Landownerintendstomaintainforestcovero Wildlifeobjectives

• Access&seasonality

• Landscapecontext&position

Regulatoryconcerns

• Siteisnotgoingtobedeveloped(silviculturalexemptionapplies)• ESAspecies

Redflagconditions

• Standconditionso Invasivespeciesthreatpost-harvesto Naturalcommunitiesofconservationconcern

• Floodingregimeo Irreversiblehydrologicalterationspresentorlikely

--Note:thistoolcouldbedevelopedincollaborationwithothergroupsnotparticipatingintheworkshop

Table9:SpecialEcotypeandHabitatCriteria

SpecialEcotypeandHabitatsCriteria

Forcypress/tupelostands:• Theremaybesite-by-siteinstanceswheremanagementcouldbe

beneficialtoencourageregeneration• Identifyapotentialgroupofthirdpartiestoevaluateasiteto

providerecommendationsoncypressregeneration• Createachecklistofstandfactorstoevaluateforsuitabilityof

harvest.Theassessmentshouldaddress:

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SpecialEcotypeandHabitatsCriteria

o Advancedregenerationo Effectsofpost-harvesthydrologyo Adequateseedsourceexistspre-andpost-harvesto Correcthydrologicalregime

• Developmanagementplansthatinclude:o Retainingvisualbuffers(greaterthan50feet)along

navigablewatersandstringersofcypressonstreamchannelspost-harvest

o Retainingsomelivecypressasaseedsourceaswellasstandingdeadcypressforwildlifepost-harvest

• Documenteffectsofloggingoncypressregeneration,exploreopportunitiesforpartialharvesttomimicnaturaldisturbanceonthelandscape

• Provideclearguidancetosuppliersonwhereandwhenadditionalguidelinesarerequiredandmonitorimplementationovertime

• Workwithtimberbuyerstoreachouttolandownerstodiscussbenefitsofgoodmanagementpracticesforlongtermbenefitofcypress/tupelo

• Hostaworkshoportrainingforsuppliersandforestersonappropriatemanagementanddecisionmakinginthisecotypeandencouragemanagementplans

• Involveagroupofinterestedstakeholderstopromotetheneedtomaintaincypressonthelandscapeandtodevelopstrategiestodoso

• Referenceexistingrelevantliterature(e.g.USDAForestServiceCypressResourcePaper)

Forotherspecialhabitatsandecotypes:

• Ratherthaneliminatingtheoptionofmanagingspecificecotypes,whichcouldinadvertentlylimitconservationopportunities,itmaybemoreprudenttoevaluatesensitiveforesttypesonasite-by-sitebasis.

• However,somerareforesttypesshouldnotbeharvested,atleastnotcommercially.

• Activemanagementcansupportoldgrowthstandconditionsifdonecorrectlyandcouldbeusedtorestoreimportantecologicalfeaturesandimproveuponpreviouspoormanagement.

• Harvestingindividualstandscanmimicnaturaldisturbanceacrossthelandscape.

• AtlanticWhiteCedarstandsarerelativelyrareonthelandscapebutcanbeartificiallyregeneratedatalowcostifdesiredbythelandowner.

• Themajorityofparticipantsbelievethatnon-convertedBays&

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pocosinsshouldberestrictedfromactiveforestmanagement.• ReviewNatureServeGlobalrankings(G1/G2)withregardtospecial

habitatorecotypes.

Ingeneral,participantssuggestedthattheserecommendationswouldbenefitfrom:

• Furthervettingwithabroaderaudiencetoprovideopportunityformorefeedbackandideas;• Landownerfocusgroupstotestassumptions;and• Whererelevantinformationexists,conductarapid,focusedliteraturereviewtoaddresskey

informationgapsidentifiedintheworkshop.

NextSteps TheEndowmentandEnvivaarecurrentlyreviewingtheconceptsandrecommendationsthatresultedfromtheworkshop.Oncereviewed,therecommendationsmaybe:

1. Developedfurther,withEnvivaandtheEndowmentgatheringmoreinformationandideasfromworkshopparticipantsandotherstorefinecertainrecommendationsinordertoimplement;

2. Combined,inpartorinwhole,inordertoimplement;and/or3. Deemedoutsideofthescopeofvisionand/orinfluencesetforthbytheEnvivaandEndowment.

Someoftheserecommendationscouldbeworthyofconsiderationbyotherorganizations.

ManyoftherecommendationsarebeyondthecapacityofEnvivaand/ortheEndowmenttoimplementindependentlyandwouldthusrequiremultipleorganizationstocollaborateinordertodevelop,fund,andputintoplace.Forexample,therecommendationsthatrelatetodesiredconditionsatthelandscapelevelwillbedifficulttoimplementindependently.EnvivaandtheEndowmentmayconsidersupportingsomeofthesemulti-organizationalrecommendationswheretheyaredeemedtohavehighpotentialpositiveimpact,arefeasibletoimplement,andrelevanttoEnviva’sandtheEndowment’scorebusinessandmission.

Finally,EnvivaandtheEndowmenthavecommittedtopubliclysharethisreportfortheadvancementofsustainableforestmanagementinsouthernbottomlandhardwoodforests.

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Appendix1–ListofinvitedorganizationsOrganizationAmericanForestFoundation

Audubon

CenterforBioEnergySustainability

ColumbiaForestProducts

DucksUnlimited

DogwoodAlliance

Domtar

Enviva

ForestLandowner’sAssociation

ForestStewardsGuild

ForestStewardshipCouncil

Gelbert,Fullbright&RandolphForestryConsultants,PLLC

InternationalPaper

NationalCouncilforAirandStreamImprovement

NationalWildTurkeyFederation

NaturalResourcesConservationService

NaturalResourcesDefenseCouncil

NorthCarolinaAssociationofProfessionalLoggers

NorthCarolinaStateUniversityDepartmentofForestry

NorthCarolinaStateUniversityWildlifeDepartment

NorthCarolinaWildlifeResourcesCommission

NorthCarolinaForestService

NorthCarolinaForestryAssociation

NorthCarolinaFoundationforSoilandWaterConservation

26

NorthCarolinaStateDepartmentofForestryandEnvironmentalResources

RainforestAlliance

ResourceManagementService

RoanokeElectricCooperative

SeaboardTimber

SocietyofAmericanForesters

SouthernEnvironmentLawCenter

SustainableForestryInitiative

TarRiverLandConservancy

TheConservationFund

TheNatureConservancy–VAChapter

TheNatureConservancy–NCChapter

TheNatureConservancy–CapeFearArchConservationCollaboration

Tri-StateLand&TimberLLC

TrustforPublicLand

U.S.EndowmentforForestryandCommunities

U.S.FishandWildlifeService

USDAForestService

VirginiaDepartmentofForestry

VirginiaDepartmentofGameandInlandFisheries

VirginiaForestryAssociation

VirginiaLoggingAssociation

VirginiaTechCollegeofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment

VirginiaTechDepartmentofForestResourcesandEnvironmentalConservation

Weyerhaeuser/PlumCreek

WorkingLandsTrust

27

Appendix2–ListofattendeesName Organization Position

ChrisErwin AmericanForestFoundation Director,WoodlandConservation;forestmanagement

CurtisSmalling Audubon DirectorofLandBirdConservation

MaryElfner Audubon

LathaMalarBaskaran CenterforBioEnergySustainability OakRidgeNationalLab

JamieRader DucksUnlimited ManagerofConservationProgramsintheSouthAtlantic

AllisonGratz Enviva DirectorofSustainability;Forestmanagement,operations

JenniferJenkins Enviva VicePresident&ChiefSustainabilityOfficer

TyroneWilliams ForestLandowner Forestlandowner

AmandaMahaffey ForestStewardsGuild NortheastRegionDirector

AmyClarkEagle ForestStewardshipCouncil DirectorofScience&Certification

BruceWhite Gelbert,Fullbright&RandolphForestryConsultants,PLLC ConsultingForester

EricVance NationalCouncilforAirandStreamImprovement

SustainableForestProductivity;soils;nutrientcyclingplusco-workerswithforestedwetlandmanagement,biodiversityandwaterqualityexpertise

TerryBest NaturalResourcesConservationService NRCSDistrictConservationistHalifaxCo.NC

TimothyBeard NaturalResourcesConservationService StateConservationist

PaulBoone NaturalResourcesConservationService DistrictConservationist,JacksonFieldOffice

28

MichaelChampion NaturalResourcesConservationService DistrictConservationist,WindsorFieldOffice

BrianSaunders NaturalResourcesConservationService DistrictConservationist,GatesvilleFieldOffice

DougWassum NaturalResourcesConservationService DistrictConservationist,EdentonFieldOffice

ChristopherMoorman NCStateUniversityWildlifeDepartment WildlifeandForestryExpertise

BrentWilson NCWildlifeResourcesCommission WildlifeForester

JimSlye NorthCarolinaForestService CoastalPlainAssistantRegionalForesterforForestManagement

SeanBrogan NorthCarolinaForestService DirectorForestManagementandDevelopment

PryorGibson NorthCarolinaForestryAssociation ForestryProgramsManager

MichelleLovejoy NorthCarolinaFoundationforSoilandWaterConservation ExecutiveDirector

ChrisDePerno NorthCarolinaStateDepartmentofForestryandEnvironmentalResources

Professor;Wildlifeecology&managementofbottomlandhardwoodforests

DouglasFredrick NorthCarolinaStateDepartmentofForestryandEnvironmentalResources

Professor;Bottomlandhardwoodsilvicultureandmanagement,biomass,energyandnutrientcontentofbottomlandhardwoodforests

RobertKellison NorthCarolinaStateDepartmentofForestryandEnvironmentalResources

EmeritusProfessor;Hardwoodsilvicultureandmanagement,PastNCStateHardwoodCoopDirector

29

AltonPerry RoanokeElectricCooperative SustainableForestryandAfricanAmericanLandRetentionProject

BillWilson SeaboardTimber Logger

MarkGurganus SeaboardTimber Logger

JessicaMcGlyn Staff

MaryKateWise Staff

RichardCrespin Staff

RickCantrell Staff

RobMcIntyre Staff

BuckVaughan TheConservationFund Manager,ForestFinancialPlanning&Analysis

DavidWhitehouse TheConservationFund ForestOperationsManager,WorkingForestFund

JeanLorber TheNatureConservancy ForestProtectionSpecialist

CharlieMarshburn Tri-StateLand&TimberLLC WoodSupplier

CarltonOwen U.S.EndowmentforForestryandCommunities President&CEO

FlorenceColby U.S.EndowmentforForestryandCommunities Manager,OrganizationalSupport

MatthewConnollyWare USFishandWildlifeService RoanokeRiverNationalWildlifeRefugeManager

Dr.PeterCaldwell USDAForestService Hydrologist

AnitaRose USDAForestService

SteveMeadows USDAForestService PrincipalSilviculturist

MattPoirot VADepartmentofForestry AssistantDirector,WaterQualifyProgramForest

30

ManagementDivision

RobertFarrell VADepartmentofForestry DeputyStateForester

RickBusch VADepartmentofGameandInlandFisheries AssistantDirector,BureauofWildlifeResources

PaulHowe VirginiaForestryAssociation ExecutiveDirector

DeanStauffer VirginiaTechCollegeofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment

ProfessorofWildlifeConservation;wildlife-habitatrelationships

ChadBolding VirginiaTechDepartmentofForestResourcesandEnvironmentalConservation AssociateProfessor;Harvestingsystemsandimpacts

JenniferGagnon VirginiaTechDepartmentofForestResourcesandEnvironmentalConservation

PastChair;AppalachianSocietyofAmericanForesters;CoordinatorVATechForestLandownerEducationProgram

MikeAust VirginiaTechDepartmentofForestResourcesandEnvironmentalConservation

Professor;HarvestingImpactsinBottomlandsandWetlands;BMPsandWaterQuality

BobSchaefer WorkingLandsTrust Chair;forestmanagement;procurement;landtrust

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Appendix3–AdditionalresourcesidentifiedduringtheworkshopNatureServeGlobalRankingList

NCForestServicehomepage

• NorthCarolina’sForestActionPlan

• NorthCarolinaForestryBMPManual

• NorthCarolinaForestryBestManagementPracticesQuickReferenceGuide

SouthernGroupofStateForesters(SGSF)Publications

SouthernForestResourceAssessment-TechnicalReport

TheForestProductsNetwork

VirginiaNaturalHeritageProgram

TheresourcesbelowhavebeencompiledintheForestStewardsGuildreport:EcologicalForestryPracticesforBottomlandHardwoodForests

oftheSoutheasternU.S.AmandaMahaffeyandAlexanderEvans,May2016.

StateBestManagementPractices

§ Alabama’sBestManagementPracticesforForestrywww.forestry.state.al.us/BMPs.aspx

§ ArkansasBestManagementPracticeswww.arnatural.org/forestry/bmps.htm

§ FloridaSilvicultureBestManagementPracticeswww.fl-dof.com/forest_management/bmp/index.html

§ GeorgiaBestManagementPracticeswww.gfc.state.ga.us/forestmanagement/bmp.cfm

§ KentuckyForestPracticeGuidelinesforWaterQualityManagement

www.ca.uky.edu/forestryextension/Publications/FOR_FORFS/FOR67.pdf

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§ FieldGuidetoBestManagementPracticesforTimberHarvestinginKentucky

www.ca.uky.edu/forestryextension/Publications/FOR_FORFS/FOR69.pdf

§ RecommendedForestryBestManagementPracticesforLouisiana

www.ldaf.state.la.us/portal/Portals/0/FOR/for%20mgmt/BMP.pdf

§ GuidelinesforPracticingForestEnvironmentalEnhancementinLouisianawww.ldaf.state.la.us/portal/Portals/0/FOR/for%20mgmt/BMP.pdf

§ NorthCarolinaBestManagementPracticesncforestservice.gov/water_quality/bmp_manual.htm

§ OklahomaBestManagementPracticesGuidelineswww.forestry.ok.gov/waterqualitybmp

§ SouthCarolinaBestManagementPracticeswww.state.sc.us/forest/refbmp.htm

§ TennesseeForestryBestManagementPracticeswww.tn.gov/agriculture/forestry/bmps.shtml

§ TexasForestryBestManagementPracticestxforestservice.tamu.edu/main/article.aspx?id=14536

§ Virginia’sForestryBestManagementPracticesforWaterQuality

http://dof.virginia.gov/infopubs/BMP-Field-Guide_pub.pdf

§ WestVirginiaSilviculturalBestManagementPracticesforControllingSoilErosionandSedimentationfromLoggingOperations

www.wvforestry.com/BMP%20Book%202009.pdf

Extensionoffices&publications§ RegeneratingHardwoodsinMississippi–DepartmentofForestry,MississippiStateUniversity

http://extension.msstate.edu/sites/default/files/publications/publications/p2470.pdf

§ BottomlandHardwoodManagement–MississippiStateUniversityExtensionService

http://extension.msstate.edu/sites/default/files/publications/publications/p2004_1.pdf

§ Forestmanagementinbottomlandhardwoods–LouisianaDepartmentofWildlifeandFisheries

www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/publication/34723-forest-management-bh-low-res/forest_management_in_bh_low-res.pdf

USDAForestServiceresources§ SouthernHardwoodForestManagement–U.S.D.A.ForestService

http://web.extension.illinois.edu/forestry/publications/pdf/forest_management/USFS_Southern_Hardwood_Mgmt.pdf

33

§ AGuidetoBottomlandHardwoodRestoration–USDI,USGS,USDAForestService

www.nwrc.usgs.gov/wdb/pub/diglib/bottomland_hardwood.htm

ForestStewardsGuildReports§ ForeststoFaucets:Protectingupstreamforestsforcleanwaterdownstream

http://forestguild.org/publications/research/2013/forests-to-faucets-report.pdf

§ ForestBiomassRetentionandHarvestingGuidelinesfortheSoutheast

http://www.forestguild.org/publications/research/2012/FG_Biomass_Guidelines_SE.pdf

§ BiomassSupplyandCarbonAccountingforSoutheasternForests

http://www.southernenvironment.org/uploads/publications/biomass-carbon-study-FINAL.pdf

§ EcologyofDeadWoodintheSoutheast

http://www.forestguild.org/publications/research/2011/ecology_of_dead_wood_SE.pdf

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Appendix4–WorkshopTools

1. CHALLENGES: What implementation challenges does your recommendation address?

2. SOLUTION: How would address this challenge?

3. Encouraging Uptake: How might you support and encourage landowners and/or loggers to adopt this recommendation?

4. MEASURES OF SUCCESS: Is your Recommendation… a) Easy and practical for landowners to implement? Easy (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Difficult

b) Economically affordable for landowners/procuring organizations? Low (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) High

c). Based on scientific research? Is more research needed? 6. ACTIVITIES/TIMELINE: Describe specific activities that would be needed to 1) implement the recommendation and 2) encourage landowners and/or loggers to adopt the recommendation. Please provide a high-level timeline, if applicable. 7. RESULTS & TESTING What are the expected results of this concept? What indicators will tell us if we’re making progress? How might this concept be tested and then improved upon?

8. POTENTIAL CHALLENGES What are the challenges in bringing this concept to life? What are the specific costs and to whom?

9. INFORMATION / EXPERTISE What additional information, expertise, or resources will be needed to move forward with this concept? What are the resources needed?

10. EXISTING EFFORTS Are there existing efforts of this type that could be leveraged to carry out these activities?

11. Potential ASSUMPTIONS & UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES of these recommendations?

12. STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT Who are the key stakeholders? What stakeholders would need to be part of this solution?

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THEPROBLEM:Whatinformationismissing? KEYPLAYERS:

LeadInvestigator:PartnerOrganization:MainBeneficiaries:Otherplayers’neededthatarenotatworkshop:

RESEARCHOBJECTIVES:Whatareyourresearchobjectives? STUDYSITES:Whereareyourstudysites?

STUDYDESIGN:WhatareyourMethodsandActivities?TIMELINE:Whatisyourtimelinefortesting?BUDGET:Whatisyourbudgetandexpectedfundingsources? DELIVERABLES:Whatareyourdeliverables/expectedresults?

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THEPROBLEM:Whatspecificecologicalorenvironmentalchallengedoesyourrecommendationaddress? Doesthisapplytoeveryharvestortospecificsites?Ifspecificsites,pleaseprovidemoredetail.

FORESTMANAGEMENTGUIDELINE:Whatisyourrecommendedvoluntarymanagementguideline? Isthisasite-leveloralandscape-level

recommendation?

PROS: CONS:

Whenisitagoodidea? Whenisitabadidea?

Ifthisworks,whatwillastandlooklikein20years?

COSTS:Howmuchwillthisguidelinecosttoimplementvs.baselineandwhowouldhavetopayforit?(Example:logger?Landowner?)

GAPSinKNOWLEDGE:Whatbigscientificunknownsaretherethatifwereansweredwouldgreatlyimprovethisrecommendation?