Conservation District Forestry Activity Inventory

Abstract

This research project centers on an analysis of information from a survey of conservation districts in 20 states and the District of Columbia located in the United States Forest Service Northeastern Area. The questions asked were in regard to the number of trees planted, the staff involved in forestry work, and relationships with political leadership. This research has shown that conservation districts, in conjunction with private landowners in the Northeast and North Central Regions, are involved with extensive forestry activities. For example, approximately half the conservation districts offer tree-planting services. However, the priority of forestry activities is low relative to soil erosion control efforts, and varies among states and conservation districts. For example, most conservation districts reported their forestry program ranked between medium and low priority, but most districts administer forestry cost-share programs and cooperate with local private foresters and state forestry agencies. Overall, this research shows that forestry is an significant component of conservation district work and is a landowner priority in most areas. However, conservation district forestry activities are underrepresentated in the overall picture of natural resource management in the United States.