Community Forests
A community forest is a community-managed forested area that provides benefits to the local community, such as timber harvest management training, educational programs for adults and children, and recreational opportunities. With great support from the community, Rensselaer Plateau Alliance has developed three community forests, in Poestenkill, Cropseyville, and East Nassau.
Benefits
Economic Benefits
Economic development opportunities through tourism; Raising awareness of importance of local forest products industry.
Education Benefits
Demonstration forest to provide vocational training to New York State loggers; Demonstration forest to provide education to landowners for best management practices, development of stewardship plans or the timber harvesting process; Science education for children and adults, such as mammal tracking or water quality testing; Woods walks and historic hikes.
Recreation Benefits
Recreational opportunities such as hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, orienteering, fishing, etc.
Environmental Benefits
Protection of high quality natural communities and the ecosystem services they provide, such as clean air, clean water, stormwater management or flood resiliency; Add to important contiguous forest block providing wildlife habitat and facilitating species movement.
Support Provided By:
