Northeast Iowa RC&D announces new partnership with Iowa DNR and USFS

Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation & Development (NEIA RC&D), the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IA DNR) Forestry Bureau, and the United States Forest Service (USFS), have recently partnered together to implement a new initiative to inform woodland owners about the value and benefits of healthy woodlands.
Whether landowners have “just trees” that shelter native plants and animals, a bit of “woods” behind their house where their kids play and they cut firewood, or a “tree farm” that earns their family income, they have an Iowa woodland. There may be many reasons they own their woodland, including family heritage, privacy, beautiful scenery, wildlife habitat, recreation, investment, or timber production, but whatever the reason, proper planning and caring for woodlands over time is the best thing to do to make sure those woodlands are able to be enjoyed far into the future.
This project is especially important given the history of northeast Iowa’s woodland resource and recent invasions by invasive species (emerald ash borer and European gypsy moth), as healthy woodlands are more resistant to invasive insects, plants and diseases. Healthy woodlands have additional community benefits including reduced erosion and improved water quality. They also sequester carbon, release oxygen back into the atmosphere and provide habitat for non-game and game wildlife.
According to organizers of this newly-former partnership, Allamakee County woodland owners with land in the Iowa Forest Reserve have already taken one big important step to preserve their woodlands by removing those Forest Reserve acres from damage from livestock grazing. Those landowners will now have the opportunity to further improve the health of woodlands.
Over the next few months, NE IA RC&D Forest Outreach Coordinator Richard Kittelson will be meeting with Allamakee County Forest Reserve woodland owners and encouraging them to utilize a state or private forester for guidance on how to maintain or improve woodlands health.
Public or private, a professional forester’s duties include:
• meeting with family woodland owners
• discussing woodland objectives
• preparing a step-by-step plan to meet those objectives.
Kittelson assures landowners, “There is no obligation to implement any suggested practices, but doing so will result in a healthier, more vibrant and valuable forest. Foresters will also guide you to local forest service providers and the best state or federal cost-share funding sources to assist with doing suggested practices. Because of the high value of forests to all of us, there is cost-share funding available to assist family woodland owners.”
For further information, discussion or to schedule an appointment, contact Richard Kittelson at NE IA RC&D toll-free at 1-855-568-5688 or visit the NE IA RC&D website at www.northeastiowarcd.org/forestry/.