Application for TREASURE Forest  |  TREASURE Forest Nomination Form 

These minimum standards and basic guidelines are designed to help landowners, natural resource mangers, and others involved in promoting the TREASURE Forest Program.  They are the basis upon which the TREASURE Forest Award is earned and will be useful in two specific ways:

(1) To identify the types of management practices that can be conducted, based on chosen objective, to earn the TREASURE Forest Award.

(2) To identify when management practices, based on chosen objective, have been conducted by landowners in both quantity and quality that are deserving of the TREASURE Forest Award.

Choose a primary and at least one secondary management objective to determine the minimum standards and basic guidelines.

  Wildlife, Environmental Education, Timber Production, Recreation or Aesthetics.  

Though a landowner may do much more than the criteria listed, certification for the TREASURE Forest Award will be determined based on these minimum standards.  In addition to the necessary accomplishments by objective, the non-objective accomplishments must be met at all times.


WILDLIFE

As Primary Objective

As Secondary Objective

-

 Feature species identified and wildlife management plan followed - Desired species identified and wildlife management plan followed

-

 Enough suitable habitat deliberately created, maintained, and/or improved to support healthy populations of desired species - Some suitable habitat deliberately created, maintained, and/or improved to support healthy populations of desired species

-

 Wildlife populations kept from becoming so dense that they are damaging their own habitat, or the habitats of other species - Wildlife populations kept from becoming 
so dense that they are damaging their own habitat, or the habitats of other species

-

 Other resources managed so as to enhance the habitat of featured wildlife species - Other resources managed in ways that supply some habitat needs of desired wildlife species, considering the property 
as a whole

TIMBER PRODUCTION

As Primary Objective

As Secondary Objective

-

 Active protection of stands from fire, insects, and disease by:   - Salvage of damaged timber unless it interferes with primary objective

-

-

-

-

-

 reducing fire hazard
timely salvage of damaged timber
stands managed to reduce insect/disease hazard
planned regeneration occurring 
soon after final harvest
timber harvested before biological maturity
stands thinned as needed to maintain vigor		 - Timely regeneration occurring after final harvest
- Trees may reach biological maturity but must be harvested before decline becomes evident
- Trees species favored and managed that are best adapted to specific sites, unless a conflict with other objectives

-

 Size and shape of harvest areas compatible with other objectives

-

 Non-merchantable trees managed, unless a conflict with other objectives

-

 Tree species favored and managed 
that are best adapted to specific sites

Non-merchantable trees controlled as compatible with other objectives

-

 Adequate stocking maintained as compatible with other objectives and past history

-

 - Size and shape of harvest areas compatible with other objectives

-

 Stands managed toward achieving full stocking

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

As Primary Objective

As Secondary Objective

Significant accomplishments toward:

Some accomplishments must be shown toward:

-

 Sponsoring or organizing environmental education programs - Sponsoring or organizing environmental education programs

-

 Developing environmental education areas such as demonstration plots, nature trails outdoor classrooms, etc. - Developing environmental education areas such as demonstration plots, nature trails outdoor classrooms, etc.

-

 Featuring plant/animal species and communities and/or multiple use management practices for educational purposes - Featuring plant/animal species and communities and/or multiple use management practices for educational purposes

-

 Examples of Environmental Education include the following:

 - Soil and water protection 
   education/demonstration
 - Plant and/or animal species 
   identification
 - Endangered species identification 
   and management
 - Landowner field day
 - Demonstration forest
 - Ecology workshop

RECREATION

As Primary Objective

As Secondary Objective

-

 Recreational use specified and management plan followed - Recreational use specified and management plan followed

-

 Recreational opportunities such as picnic areas, campsites, walking trails, boat docks, etc. must be actively maintained, retained, and created - Recreational opportunities maintained, retained, and created as compatible with primary objective

-

 Litter controlled - Litter controlled

-

 Actual recreational usage of the property - Environmental impact of recreational activities minimized

-

 Environmental impact of recreational activities minimized - Area with hunting as recreational use must show evidence of developed hunting opportunities beyond wildlife management.

-

 Area with hunting as recreational use must show evidence of developed hunting opportunities beyond wildlife management such as hunting blinds, camping areas, etc.

 

AESTHETICS

As Primary Objective

As Secondary Objective
Significant accomplishment toward maintaining or enhancing aesthetics must be shown such as: Some accomplishments toward maintaining or enhancing aesthetics must be shown.

-

 Retaining trees with good fall colors

-

 Planting or maintaining flowering trees, shrubs and wildflowers

-

 Identifying and maintaining scenic overlooks, unique geological features, and waterfalls

-

 Improving access to scenic areas

Non-Objective Accomplishments

1.

 Timber protected from fire, insect, and disease.
2. Damaged timber salvaged unless it interferes with primary or secondary objective.
3. Definitive plans to regenerate all forestland before final harvest, unless land-use will change.
4. Management for primary and secondary objective performed in a manner least damaging to other resources.
5. Water quality protected and erosion minimized by following Best Management Practices.
6. Unique plant communities, critical wildlife habitat, and endangered species habitat are protected.
7. Management for primary and secondary objective don in the most aesthetically pleasing manner.

Application for TREASURE Forest  |  TREASURE Forest Nomination Form 
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