My Woodlot - Care for and enjoy your woods.

WAC Forestry Research

The WAC Forestry Program, in partnership with SUNY-ESF, conducts research to evaluate the reach and effectiveness of its cost-share programs, including the Best Management Practice (BMP) Program for loggers and the Management Assistance Program for forest landowners. Over the years, we have addressed research questions related to the number of timber harvests occurring annually in the NYC Watershed, the proportion of those harvests that participated in our BMP Program, the effectiveness of BMPs to protect water quality, and landowner preparedness to make informed conservation decisions about their land. These blog posts summarize study findings and highlight examples of program participation.

Would 480-a work for you and your woodlot?

The WAC Forestry Program’s 2020 survey of New York City Watershed landowners showed that over two-thirds of study participants were unfamiliar with New York’s Forest Tax Law Program, otherwise known as 480-a. This program helps landowners with 50 or more contiguous forest acres to reduce the property taxes they pay on their forestland in exchange for a commitment to the long-term conservation and management of their woods. This blog post highlights 480-a and its potential benefits and problem areas to encourage eligible landowners to explore how 480-a might work for their woodlots.

Working to Protect Water Quality and Support Economic Viability on Woodlot Harvests in the NYC Watershed

Protecting water quality during a timber harvest can be a challenge, but working with loggers to find practical, cost-effective solutions is what we are passionate about.

Sediment Breakthroughs Associated with Logging in the New York City Watershed

WAC researchers help to improve understanding about the likely sources and pathways for stream sedimentation associated with logging in the NYC Watershed.

Replacing the decking on a 30-foot portable bridge

The WAC forestry program helped to repair the decking on a bridge at a timber harvest in Windham, NY.

Monitoring and Managing Ash (MaMA) plot established at Siuslaw Model Forest to help find EAB-resistant trees

Feeling blue about emerald ash borer (EAB)? Don’t just throw your hands in the air. You can help scientists find EAB-resistant trees (which provide great hope for ash restoration) by tracking the health of some of the trees in your woodlot.

Management Assistance Program

Here at MyWoodlot, we try to focus on practical, inexpensive activities landowners like you can actually do.

Some activities, though, do cost money for supplies or professional help. Often those costs will be on you, but there are a few programs out there that can help offset certain woodlot expenses.

How much do you know about forest conservation options for your land?

At some point, you’re probably going to face some big decisions about the future of your land. When you do, will you know your options? Our ongoing study looks at this question for landowners in the NYC Watershed.

Do Eco-Wheel Tracks Reduce Soil Compaction Associated with Skidder Traffic?

What is that bright blue armor wrapped around those skidder tires? They’re called Eco-Wheel Tracks, manufactured by the Swedish company Olofsfors, and they are marketed as helping to improve traction, reduce compaction and rutting, and last longer than traditional tire chains. But do they? Taylor Richmond, a Master’s student at SUNY-ESF, digs into these questions for the WAC Forestry Program.

Building Skidder Bridges for the WAC Bridge Loan Program

Logger Tom Wormell shared his expertise in skidder bridge construction during a Trained Logger Certification course in Saugerties, NY.