Forest Management Handbook For Small-Parcel Landowners Released
MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES – The California Department of Forest and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is pleased to announce the availability of the Forest Management Handbook for Small-Parcel Landowners in the Sierra Nevada and southern Cascade Range. Family-owned forest lands make up about 20 percent, which is approximately 7 million acres, of California’s forests. Most of these acres are owned and managed as small parcels (10 to 100 acres) by nonindustrial private landowners.
A Resource for Landowners to Develop a Forest Management Strategy for Forest Health
This handbook was created to provide concise and thorough information to help these landowners develop a sound forest management strategy for their property. “California’s small private landowners need access to tools and technical assistance to help them manage their forest lands to maintain forest health,” said Stewart McMorrow, CAL FIRE’s Wildfire Resilience Staff Chief. “Forest landowners do not always have the knowledge or skills to get started with a management plan, which is why the handbook was created.”
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Developed in partnership with CAL FIRE, the USDA Pacific Southwest Research Station, and the USDA California Climate Hub, this handbook supports actions outlined in California’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan to increase assistance to small private landowners by providing technical assistance and outreach. The handbook features information gathered from a large body of current scientific literature that provides relevant technical information for forest landowners. It is organized in a step-by-step manner to help landowners assess the condition of their property to make informed decisions rooted in the best available science.
Digital copies of the handbook are available now and can be accessed by visiting this website. A virtual workshop will be hosted on Tuesday, April 26, from 5-6 p.m. for landowners who would like to learn more about how to use the publication, where to find hard copies, and how to access additional local resources. More information about the webinar can be found here.
