Erie County Forest Management Plan Update
Recent News
On Feb 12 we hosted a webinar about forest management hot topics!
- Climate resilience and forestry
- Deer management
- Forest ecosystem management
Watch the recording HERE!
See the Flyer!
Thank you for all the survey responses!
Erie County is seeking public input on how forestry lots should be used! The survey is now closed.
Keep your eyes open for public events this spring and feel free to add comments in the forum.
Field Data Collection!
CC Environment has been collecting field data in forest stands to inform management goals, objectives, and actions. This includes silvicultural surveys, ecological investigations, and assessments of recreation and infrastructure.
Erie County Forest Management Plan
About the Update
Erie County and their natural resources planning team CC Environment & Planning, are updating and developing a Forest Management Plan for twelve county owned forest lots. The Plan will be completed in 2025 and will build upon previous management plans, existing data, field studies, and regional plans and priorities. This update will examine the existing ecological conditions of the Erie County Forest Lots and provide recommendations for best management practicies moving forward. As a public entity that owns and manages thousands of acres of forested ecosystems, the County is sensitive to the multitude of ecological services that forests provide and seeks to develop best management practices in consideration of this range of services.
To see an overview map of the forest lots click here.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
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Allen Young (Erie County SWCD)
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Nate Morey (NYS Dept. of Env. Conservation)
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Mike Kasprzyk (Town of Holland)
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Sheila Hess (CC Environment)
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Ben Zimmerman (CC Environment)
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Erie County Environment & Planning
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Mark Rountree
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Emily Moll
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Erie County Parks, Recreation & Forestry
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Joshua Konovitz
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Kate Hilliman
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Forest Management 101
Education and Engagement
Events and Planning
Schedule/Workshops
Forest Management Plan Resources
Resource Library
Here you will find documents, maps, and resources associated with the Erie County Forest Management Plan Update.
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Forestry Management History
Fun Facts
Between 1928 and 1938, Erie County purchased 3, 153 acres of land for reforestation in the Erie County Southtowns, most of which was abandoned farmland.
Fun Fact
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) planted approximately 7.5 million trees within the non-forested areas of Erie County forestry properties.
Fun Fact
Erie County was the second county in the United States (first was Chautauqua County) to employ a county forester. The position was created in 1928 to lead the countywide reforestation program.
Fun Fact
The Erie County Bureau of Forestry was formed 96 years ago
on November 15, 1927.
Fun Fact
A healthy 100-foot-tall tree has about 200,000 leaves. A tree this size can absorb 11,000 gallons of water from the soil and release it into the air as oxygen and water vapor in a single growing season.
Fun Fact
In one year, a mature live tree can absorb more than 48 pounds of carbon dioxide. On average, an acre of mature, deciduous forest can sequester more than 3 tons of carbon per year!
Fun Fact
A mix of large, mature trees, younger trees, standing dead trees (snags), and large, decaying logs provide forest habitat for thousands of insects, birds, and mammals. We can create forest management plans that help support a diversity of forest-dwelling species thereby fostering healthy, rich ecosystems that make earth habitable for people too!
Fun Fact
Forest Management Hot Topics Webinar
Learn about forest management hot topics!
- Climate resilience and forestry - Deer management -
- Forest ecosystem management -
Public Workshops
To find out about local Forest Ranger Events and Programs, click here.
