Taking Care of Your Forests  

A Forest Means Many Things to Many People

A forest means many things to many people……….

	a safe nesting place for birds
	a source of consumable forest products for you or society
	a tree to climb up in and hang out
	cooling shade for brook trout below
	a source of medicinal plants and wildflowers
	a quite place of beauty to walk in
	a place of wonder and inspiration.
	and many other things too

Every family who owns land and forest holds values and aspirations for what they want to see happen in their woodland. Have you considered your particular values, interests and aspirations for your forest?

The first step on the path to becoming the keeper of your forest is to be aware of what you value about your forest. Your woodland values and vision guide the plans and decisions that you make about your forest. Time spent reflecting on what your family cherishes and values about your woodland, is time well spent. Write about it, talk about it, make sketch maps, begin to envision the future you hold for your forest.

VALUE is about meaning and worth, and how we define and attach value to the many aspects of our lives; be they experiences, goods and services, relationships, material possessions, property, land and forest. We are the ones who give meaning and measure to all of this. Values aren’t about having right ones or wrong ones - yours are yours, mine are mine. Our values may be alike on some matters, very different on others.

You as the forest owner give value to the various features in your woods…cords and logs, acres of deer yard habitat, cubic feet per second of clear or silt laden stream water, crop trees per acre for timber, number/types of den trees, walking quietly in the forest, even that heart- felt relaxing ahhhhhh at sunset while sitting beneath your favorite tree in that special place in your woods. 

VALUING is what we do as human beings, as good stewards and keepers of the forest. In the absence of people, a forest would simply go on giving and sustaining life through its own particular rhythms and cycles. The wheel of multiple-use forest management would be absent and inoperable in any forest given the absence of human values driving intentions and actions in the woods.

The purpose in addressing values this way is to help you get clear about what you really appreciate, cherish, and hold near and dear about your forest. When we look at any forest we see through our eyes, mind and heart. And, we can see a diverse range of human defined values: water-fish-soils-plants-air-wildlife-timber-forest products-medicinals-flowers-recreation-quiet-tourism-culture-spiritual renewal.

Forests viewed and managed from an inclusive and diverse base of values sustain all of us in many ways. Our role as stewards and keepers is to be aware of what we value about our forest, to recognize what we know and don’t know about understanding, managing, protecting, and working with our forest. Your values influence decisions and directions in life, likewise on your land and forest.

Any forest offers possibilities. Each forest is unique in character and what it may offer. Spend time in your woods observing and learning about your forest. Pay attention to questions that come up within you about your forest. In the beginning, learn as much as you can about the character and variety of life within your forest. Seeking professional help can help you to further defining this.

Perhaps you are ready to begin the self-reflective work. The following self- assessment, "Determining Values and Goals for Your Land and Forest" is designed to help you assess your values and interests in your forest. When you complete the values and goals inventory, you will be able to write some brief statements about the values and goals that you hold for your forest. For family ownership, be sure to include other family members in these assessment and discussions.

  Determining Values and Goals for Your Forest

Roger Merchant, Extension Educator, UM Cooperative Extension, Piscataquis County Office

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