County Forest - Overview Strategic Plan Silvicultural Operations Plan Trail Management Plan Volunteer Management Plan Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan

Approved Nov Identifies our services: – County Forest – Weed Inspection – Forest Conservation By-Law Projects – Forest Management Plan components – Volunteer Strategy – Emerald Ash Borer – Local forest product promotion – Outreach Strategic Plan

Forest Management Plan

Silvicultural Goals and Objectives Harvest areas Harvest standards Conservation Values – Identification – Operating Standards – Monitoring Management Zones Draft Silvicultural Operations Plan

Goals Long-term conservation of natural areas including forest, woodlands, savannahs, sand barrens, tallgrass prairies and wetlands for the many intrinsic, social and economic benefits. Management that maintains healthy forested lands while providing a sustainable timber supply. Management that meets the principles and criteria of the FSC© and the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Region Standards. A silviculture program that realizes the needs and value of other forest management activities. Demonstrate/implement best practices in forest management.

Conservation Values Standards ValueCommon Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) CategoryConservation Concern Other HCV details (e.g., SAR designation, S rank)  Provincial SAR designation: Special Concern  Federal SAR designation: Threatened Threats  Habitat loss due to: 1.) forest succession/lack of disturbance, 2.) invasive species  Habitat destruction due to: 1.) harvesting equipment, 2.) recreation (particularly motorized vehicles in barren areas).  Pesticide use could have direct (mortality) and indirect (e.g., insects for foraging) effects on this species.  Increasing density by saplings and canopy closure likely negatively affect habitat suitability for this species.  Logging during the breeding/nesting season can be highly detrimental as they may be sensitive to disturbance by logging activities. Presence/Current Status  Known from locations throughout County Forest  Particularly associated with sand barrens, but may inhabit other open areas of forest  Nest sites/critical habitat difficult to identify as they are often observed flying over a large area while foraging. Operational Standard  Maintain 125m operations buffer from sand dunes, areas of exposed sand or known breeding sites during breeding season.  Maintain 25m buffer from sand dunes or areas of exposed sand during non-breeding season.  No harvesting within 125m of a known nest site (modification removed 5 years after last known nesting at that location).  Habitat restoration activities that increase potential nesting sites and are likely to be successful should be promoted.  Care to ensure that invasive species (e.g., dog-strangling vine, sweet white clover, scotch pine) will not affect known or potential breeding areas must be taken.  Refer to Sand Barren Operational Standard where appropriate.

Trail Management Plan Supports Trail Network Study Trail standards Signage standards Infrastructure / Asset management plan

Approved to initiate planning (January) Partner and public consultations Two parts to plan – County Forest specific – Collaborative Collaboration benefits – Centralized – Support for Events Recruitment Training – Resource sharing Volunteer Strategy/Management Plan

Emerald Ash Borer found throughout County No federal or provincial assistance available Large-scale control not feasible Becomes asset management planning – Removal – Replacement Public education Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan