Agreement Narrative: Dynamic Forest Restoration Blocks in the Cumberland Plateau (TN, KY)
Primary Funder: Lightner Sams Foundation
Location: Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky
Innovation: Our two-year project will use active forest management to diversify forest habitats and promote desired tree species for the benefit of at-risk wildlife species on private and public lands in the Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee and Kentucky. The project is focused on the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s northeastern Freshwater and Terrestrial Focal Area. Our project’s strategy and scope will expand on conservation initiatives by the Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture’s (AMJV) Cumberlands Focal Landscape and Kentucky’s Grouse and Young Forest Strategic Plan. The Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) and our partners will create, manage, and monitor “dynamic forest restoration blocks” as focal areas to measurably achieve desired forest structural conditions and improve populations of focal wildlife species. Our working forests approach will increase structural, age-class, and tree species diversity for healthy forests and abundant wildlife.
Impact: Lightner Sams Foundation funding will be used to achieve the following outcomes: 1) 25 acres shortleaf pine planting, and 2) 20 acres of noncommercial habitat improvements to benefit hardwood trees.
Partners and Chapter Contributions: We will collaborate closely with Daniel Boone National Forest on implementation. Contracts will be awarded to local and regional logging contractors and service work contractors.
$10,000 in Lightner Sams Foundation funding will be leveraged as nonfederal cash match with a $200,000 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Cumberland Plateau Stewardship Fund grant.
A specific logo is not needed to recognize funders or partners.
Deliverables:
Shortleaf pine planting location has been identified. Division of labor has been established between RGS & AWS and partners. RGS & AWS KY Forest Wildlife Specialist is sourcing seedlings in preparation for a spring 2024 planting. Seedlings will originate in geographically similar locations to the planting site, maximizing survival and long-term success.
The additional funding from this agreement has increased the pace and scale of forest stand improvement treatments achieved by RGS & AWS on the Daniel Boone National Forest, with 74 acres of midstory removal accomplished so far and additional acreage planned for 2023 and beyond.
