FYI: PA Woodland Resilience Enhancement Network

[RGrizzzz]

Check this out if you own land in PA. The PA DCNR has recently created this program to help certain landowners manage their forest. Take note of the conditions for reimbursement. You can form a "network" with your neighbors to increase the reimbursement rate. The county forester is coming out next week to meet with us. He expects the money to go quickly, so don't snooze.

Apply for the PA Woodland Resilience Enhancement Network

Apply for the PA Woodland Resilience Enhancement Network

www.pa.gov

 

[Teeder]

I saw that the other day.
Wasn't very interested in someone else having to do the work, unless I'm missing something.

 

[RGrizzzz]

I saw that the other day.
Wasn't very interested in someone else having to do the work, unless I'm missing something.

That's your call. I'm happy to farm out some work to contractors I trust or come highly recommended, especially if it doesn't cost me anything

 

[PatinPA]

I'd be interested but how long will reimbursement take? Not sure how long I can float a payment to a contractor if it were a big number.

 

[Teeder]

I've sent emails to my local foresters to see what they say. Couldn't hurt to talk.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

I'd be interested but how long will reimbursement take? Not sure how long I can float a payment to a contractor if it were a big number.

Being in an EQIP program, we found out payment timing depends on reaching goals set when you make the contract. When we reached various goals, and they were documented by USDA/NRCS gents, we got paid. I realize Pa. DCNR is a state group - not a Fed one - but I'd think they might work similarly. $$$ don't get cut loose until certain goals / targets are met.

We used approved / recommended (by other landowners) contractors for spraying ferns, barberry, stilt grass, and TOH. We only had to do a day's worth of "mop-up" spraying a couple weeks later. We had money available to pay up-front, and the wait for reimbursement wasn't long.

Ask lots of questions before signing onto anything. Ask for written / printed details of the plan so you have proof - in case.

 

[RGrizzzz]

Being in an EQIP program, we found out payment timing depends on reaching goals set when you make the contract. When we reached various goals, and they were documented by USDA/NRCS gents, we got paid. I realize Pa. DCNR is a state group - not a Fed one - but I'd think they might work similarly. $$$ don't get cut loose until certain goals / targets are met.

We used approved / recommended (by other landowners) contractors for spraying ferns, barberry, stilt grass, and TOH. We only had to do a day's worth of "mop-up" spraying a couple weeks later. We had money available to pay up-front, and the wait for reimbursement wasn't long.

Ask lots of questions before signing onto anything. Ask for written / printed details of the plan so you have proof - in case.

We got into an NRCS/FDA CSP contract this year to do some spraying ahead of a timber cut. This particular contract pays over 5 years so you have to front some money. Looking at the workflow for the PA program, it looks like they cut you a single check after receipts are submitted.

I'm hoping this program can be leveraged to cover some areas not covered by the CSP stuff.

 

[Teeder]

Just got off the phone with my forester. Some of the more interesting items they offer is treating for invasives including the Hemlock woolly adelgid and seeding for pollinators.

He's meeting me at my place next Wednesday for a walk about.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

We got into an NRCS/FDA CSP contract this year to do some spraying ahead of a timber cut. This particular contract pays over 5 years so you have to front some money. Looking at the workflow for the PA program, it looks like they cut you a single check after receipts are submitted.

I'm hoping this program can be leveraged to cover some areas not covered by the CSP stuff.

From observations around the mountains near our camp, it seems like spraying is the quickest, most efficient way to get forest regeneration. Ferns, stilt grass, barberry, TOH and other invasives choke out the native, natural forest succession. From my own, first-hand observations in those same mountain areas, exclusion fencing to keep deer out for a period of years after logging allows natural regeneration to be sped up. The proof is in looking at the difference inside vs. outside the fencing. Everything outside the fencing is eaten off to the ground - no chance to get a foothold.

Best of luck with your spraying & timbering / overall forest plans.

 

[RGrizzzz]

From observations around the mountains near our camp, it seems like spraying is the quickest, most efficient way to get forest regeneration. Ferns, stilt grass, barberry, TOH and other invasives choke out the native, natural forest succession. From my own, first-hand observations in those same mountain areas, exclusion fencing to keep deer out for a period of years after logging allows natural regeneration to be sped up. The proof is in looking at the difference inside vs. outside the fencing. Everything outside the fencing is eaten off to the ground - no chance to get a foothold.

Best of luck with your spraying & timbering / overall forest plans.

Agreed that fencing speeds up the process. It's crazy expensive and the NRCS programs don't fund actual rates for fencing, which is why we went CSP instead of NRCS Golden Winged Warbler program. We've done some test cuts, and the Regen has been decent. Also, it's hard to convince the old guys to shut down some significant acreage for hunting.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Also, it's hard to convince the old guys to shut down some significant acreage for hunting.

Bingo. Long-term forest production has to be the goal though. Younger generations might like to hunt / prowl the woods too. That was our thought anyway.

We were told that in order to get money, we'd have to fence, or else the deer would eat everything off as it sprouted - thus knee-capping the reason for the GWW program money ........ new brushy regrowth. Because we did the necessary tree cutting and some spraying / hack & squirt ourselves, we came out ahead, money-wise.

EDIT: We were also dealing with our local State forester, based in Waterville. He gave guidance to all of us, including the USDA / NRCS guys.

 

[Teeder]

I met with my local forester on Wednesday. We did a walk through and he was quite happy with how my woods look. His suggestions were to apply for help with spraying for invasives and for treatments for the Hemlock.
On a side note, and very exciting for me, he asked what my plans were for the field. I told him I'd like to revert some back to brush/trees for cover. He said he could plant most of it for free because it qualifies as a riparian zone! Best guess is they would do about 7 acres for me! I get to pick what bushes/trees are used and how thick I want it!

 

[RGrizzzz]

I met with my local forester on Wednesday. We did a walk through and he was quite happy with how my woods look. His suggestions were to apply for help with spraying for invasives and for treatments for the Hemlock.
On a side note, and very exciting for me, he asked what my plans were for the field. I told him I'd like to revert some back to brush/trees for cover. He said he could plant most of it for free because it qualifies as a riparian zone! Best guess is they would do about 7 acres for me! I get to pick what bushes/trees are used and how thick I want it!

Nice. You didn't see too interested in your first post.

My brother met with the county forester yesterday. Sounds like we should be in the program. Did he mention when you may get more info? Sounds like maybe 2026.

 

[Teeder]

He really didn't know. They haven't given the foresters much info. He said he hasn't had anyone actually get approved yet. Only so many people per county are approved.
Put me down as still skeptical of the process.

 

[RGrizzzz]

Agreed. I heard 8 per county, but it could change as some counties are small, urban etc.

Seems like dollars amounts are TBD. Funding comes through some Chesapeake Bay organization. Someone from that org may want to walk the property

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Agreed. I heard 8 per county, but it could change as some counties are small, urban etc.

Seems like dollars amounts are TBD. Funding comes through some Chesapeake Bay organization. Someone from that org may want to walk the property

The thought behind the Chesapeake Bay involvement is to cut down the amounts of eroded soil entering the bay. I'm a Trout Unlimited member, and as such, our chapter (including me) got involved with riparian plantings some years ago. The Chesapeake Bay folks are aiming to get more riparian / bank stabilization so millions of tons of upstate soil don't end up in the bay. Soil erosion / sedimentation are bad for many types of aquatic AND marine life. So they try to make dollars available to help fund those plantings. That's what it's about.

 

[RGrizzzz]

The thought behind the Chesapeake Bay involvement is to cut down the amounts of eroded soil entering the bay. I'm a Trout Unlimited member, and as such, our chapter (including me) got involved with riparian plantings some years ago. The Chesapeake Bay folks are aiming to get more riparian / bank stabilization so millions of tons of upstate soil don't end up in the bay. Soil erosion / sedimentation are bad for many types of aquatic AND marine life. So they try to make dollars available to help fund those plantings. That's what it's about.

That makes tons of sense, but the scope of this isn't limited to riparian zones.

 

[Teeder]

Right. The riparian work they may do at my place has nothing to do with the PREN program or Chesapeake bay drainage. This drainage ends up in the Mississippi drainage. Interestingly, the divide is 1/2 mile from my house. The house creek drains to the St. Lawrence. Up the road is to the Mississippi.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

That makes tons of sense, but the scope of this isn't limited to riparian zones.

Even better!!