How To

NEW YORK

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CONNECTICUT

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Submit a sample using this form.

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MASSACHUSETTS

Fill out a reporting form.

NEW JERSEY

Call the NJ Spotted Lanternfly Hotline at 1-833-223-2840 (BADBUG)

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PENNSYLVANIA

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Call the PA Invasive Species Hotline at 1-866-253-7189

While paint and plastic trail markers work well to indicate where your trails are, they also betray a human presence. If you want a more natural look to your trails, consider using cairns—small piles of stones—as trail markers. Not only are cairns more environmentally friendly than paint or plastic, they’re also fun for kids and grandkids to build.

What's a cairn?

Cairns (pronounced “kerns”) are human-made piles of stones. They can be small and simple or big and elaborate. Humans have used cairns since prehistory as navigation guides, landmark indicators, and monuments.

How do I build cairns along my trails?

The best way to build cairns is to do so over time. Whenever someone hikes a trail, that person takes a stone from the area and adds it to the cairn. As you, your family, and your friends travel your trails more, your cairns will become bigger and more visible. The stones don’t need to be large, so this is a great way to get your kids or grandkids involved with your land.

How many cairns do I need to build?

To be effective trail markers, space cairns so that each is within sight of the one before and after it.

Tips

1. Cairns are built using stones you find yourself. If your woodlot is in the Catskills or Lower Hudson regions of New York State, chances are there will be plenty of local rocks you can use. But if your property isn’t rocky, cairns may not be a good option for you.
2. DON'T take rocks from streams to make your cairns. Many species of wildlife depend on rocks in streams for their homes.
3. Cairns aren’t just for trails! Consider placing them in other parts of your woodlot too. They work well as monuments and markers for important places. One of the earliest uses for cairns was to mark the highest elevation in an area, such as a hilltop.

Advice from James Ochterski, Cornell Cooperative Extension

Definition of a forester

In New York, there is no legal definition of a forester, so very qualified and less qualified individuals use the title, leaving forest owners confused about competency. Unfortunately, if someone calls himself or herself a forester, there is still a lot you do not know about them. Check their credentials.

What to look for in a forester:

Education and training

A professional forester should have a 2 or 4-year degree in a science field, usually forestry, from a college recognized for its excellence. In New York, SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry, and Paul Smith's College are both accredited forestry schools. Graduates of forestry schools have both theoretical and field experiences to help guide the choices you will make.

Professional affiliation

Your forester should be a current member of the Society of American Foresters (SAF), New York Institute of Consulting Foresters (NYICF), or the Association of Consulting Foresters of America (ACF). These organizations provide standards of professional conduct, training opportunities, and conferences for additional learning. A forester who belongs to these groups is demonstrating their willingness to learn more and more.

Certification

The Society of American Foresters has a certification program (SAFCF), which requires that foresters meet the profession's educational requirements, have five or more years of professional forestry experience, adhere to standards of professional practice, pass a rigorous competency exam, and participate in continuing education. The SAF notes, "You can be assured you are hiring a qualified forester if you hire a CF." Most forest owners have no idea that such competent foresters live and work in their region.

Experience and referrals

A professional forester should be happy to direct you a list to satisfied clients, even bringing you to recent jobs that bear the marks of good forestry. Ask your forester about past work, and follow up with some references to see if their circumstances are similar to yours.

Special agreements

Dozens of foresters in New York work with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) as Cooperating Consulting Foresters. These foresters have agreed to maintain ethical and educational standards, in compliance with the New York Cooperating Forester Program policy.

Where to find a forester

1. Ask fellow forest owners which foresters they know
2. Review the list of DEC Cooperating Consulting Foresters or the Watershed Agricultural Council’s list of Watershed Qualified Foresters
3. Contact the NYS DEC regional office in your area, Cornell Cooperative Extension, or your county Soil and Water Conservation District.

Questions you can ask a forester before you hire them:

1. How long have you worked as a professional forester?
2. Where have you been working and with what kinds of forests?
3. What is your educational background?
4. Are you a current member of Society of American Foresters (SAF), New York Institute of Consulting Foresters (NYICF), or the Association of Consulting Foresters of America (ACF)?
5. What training have you attended recently?
6. What are your fees, and what services do you provide?
7. Are you associated with a saw mill or wood products firm?
8. Can you provide references from previous clients and /or agencies?
9. Would you sign a contract that details the services you will provide?

If your property is in the NYC Watershed and you decide to enroll in the 480a Forest Tax Law program, you are eligible for funding from the Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC) to help offset the cost of enrollment.

When submitting an application for funding to WAC, you are asked to provide your property’s Tax Identification Number (<< see right).

This number is assigned by the county tax assessor to a plot of land for identification and tracking purposes in land transactions and property taxes.

Here are some ways to locate your land’s Tax Identification Number:

• Look at a recent copy of your property or school tax bill or receipt (see below). 
• Look at your property’s deed and locate the number in the property description.
• Check mortgage documents associated with your property. Tax ID numbers are often listed.
• Call or visit your local county assessor. Give the clerk the physical address of the property, and ask for the tax parcel number. In some cases, your assessor’s office may have a website where you can look up property tax IDs by searching under owner or physical address.