NWTF, USDA Forest Service Expand Forest Stewardship Efforts to Boost Forest Resilience in Northern California
EDGEFIELD, S.C.— The National Wild Turkey Federation and the USDA Forest Service continue accelerating the pace and scale of forest stewardship across the West, enhancing wildlife habitat and ensuring the health and safety of America's forests. Building on the National Master Stewardship Agreement and previously signed Regional Supplemental Project Agreement, the Granite Thin Forest Stewardship Project is set to improve the health and resiliency of national forest land in the Golden State.
The Granite Thin Forest Stewardship Project covers 1,556 acres of the Stanislaus National Forest in northern California and will involve 13 miles of road reconstruction and maintenance. This groundwork will pave the way for the sustainable harvest of 34,102 tons of sawlogs and 10,461 tons of non-sawlogs (small-diameter woody material). These sawlogs, primarily Ponderosa pine and Jeffrey pine, will provide essential commercial forest products to local industries, supporting jobs and contributing to the local economy.
However, the project’s benefits extend beyond economic gains. By increasing tree age and size classes, the project will diversify the forest structure, thereby enhancing forage productivity for wildlife. The outcome will be a healthier, more resilient forest, capable of withstanding the ever-present threat of catastrophic wildfires while creating richer habitats for a variety of wildlife species.
“The treatment area was selected to meet management objectives by creating a more diverse mix of forest age classes and density to enhance resilience to wildfires, reducing fire severity and size in the event of a wildfire, and minimizing insect and disease occurrences,” said Coralee Ditman, NWTF wildfire crisis coordinator for region 5.
Learn more about the Wildfire Crisis Strategy and the relationship between wild turkeys and catastrophic wildfire prevention.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 23 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.