duke forest annual gathering
TRANSCRIPT
November 15, 2012
DUKE FOREST ANNUAL GATHERING
AGENDA
Welcome
Introductions
Announcements
Presentations
•The Year in Review
• Special Projects Highlight • Questions and discussion
• Fire in the Forest • Presented by Norm Christensen and Jake Pressley
•Clarence Korstian Award • Presented to the Godiva Track Club
The Year in Review
2011 - 2012
THE DUKE FOREST MISSION
Facilitate research that addresses fundamental and applied questions concerning forested and aquatic ecosystems
Aid in the instruction of students so that they will be informed citizens and effective stewards of our natural resources We also work to…
• Sustainably manage timber • Protect natural and cultural resources • Offer educational and volunteer events • Provide recreation opportunities
RESEARCH SUMMARY
• 79 (63) current projects
• 58 (52) principle investigators
• 17 (20) institutions/affiliations
• $5.4 (~$5 ) million in research funding
CURRENT RESEARCH
Allan Bacon – Nicholas School
• Ph.D. student in the laboratory of Dr. Daniel Richter
• Searching for redoximorphic soil features
• Understanding the role of these features in carbon storage
CURRENT RESEARCH
Dr. Justin Wright – Duke Biology
• Investigating climate change effects on rates of old-field succession
• Sites replicated across latitudinal gradients in the east
Kiddie-pools as raised beds!
TEACHING SUMMARY
• 3,454 (2,156) student visits
• From: Duke, UNC, NC A&T University, NC School of Science and Math, Durham Academy, Carolina Friends School, Forest View Elementary
FOREST MANAGEMENT SUMMARY
Activity FY 11-12 (acres) FY 10-11 (acres)
Pre-commercial Thinning 0 21.8
Commercial Thinning 9.3 0
Regeneration Harvests 85.1 124.9
Seed tree 0 61.0
Seed tree removals 69.2 0
Selection 15.9 17.2
Clear-cuts 0 46.7
Herbicide 98.4 127.4
Release 74.9 97.2
Invasive control 23.5 30.2
Prescribed Burning 24.0 27.0
Understory 24.0 27.0
Planting 18.0 17.0
Other Cultural 52.7 0
Manual invasive removal 34.7 0
Stand improvement 18.0 0
TOTALS 287.5 318.1
FOREST MANAGEMENT continued…
Road Maintenance
• Mowing 35 miles
• Grading, regular 3.2 miles
• Grading, logging repair 2.2 miles
• New construction 0.1 miles
• Culverts replaced 2
CURRENT MANAGEMENT
CURRENT MANAGEMENT
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) - 2012 Certification
Annual Audit – October 11, 2012
• Required an Analysis of High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF) Areas
o “FSC introduced the concept of HCVFs in 1999 to ensure identification and proper management of forest areas with exceptional conservation value. Once identified, HCVFsare managed to protect and maintain their identified high conservation value attributes.”
o Involved extensive consultation with experts and stakeholders
Thanks to all of you in this room that participated!!!
o A public summary is available on the website or by email request
No Corrective Actions Required
CURRENT MANAGEMENT
Deer Herd Reduction Program • 2004 spotlight survey: 60 deer/mi2 with areas up to 80/mi2 - recommended populations 15-20/mi2
• Background research
• 2005: limited hunt as feasibility study
• 2008: 1st hunting season, 75 deer taken
• 2009: 2nd season, 86 deer taken
• 2010: 3rd season, 123 deer taken
• 2011: 4th season, 81 deer taken
• Participation in NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP)
• Data indicates gradual herd reduction
• 2012: 5th season, 35+ deer taken to date
• Closed to recreation weekdays from Sep 24 through Dec 14
- 1 week shorter than last year
• Durham, Korstian, and Blackwood
• Spotlight survey planned for Feb - Mar
New signage…
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH SUMMARY
• 21 (37) Field trips, tours, and presentations • 461 (802) Participants
A group of women scientists learned about the Duke Forest while in town for a conference hosted at the
National Evolutionary Synthesis Center
Annual Flora and Fauna Tour
Annual Research Tour
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH SUMMARY
• 9 (10) Volunteer events • 100 (114) Participants
Volunteers from the Triangle Society for Conservation Biology removing loblollies from a longleaf plot.
Durham Academy students work to preserve the natural character of a Natural Heritage site by removing trash.
UPCOMING EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
Annual tours
• Fall - Research (Friday, December 7)
• Winter - History (January-February)
• Spring - Flora and Fauna (April)
• Summer - Management (June-July)
Two new tours!
• Late winter – Geology with Bill Kaiser
• Late spring – Ecosystem Services
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS
• Research Tour
oFriday, December 7, 2012
• 4th Annual Pine Cone Pacer 5K
oSaturday, April 13, 2013
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For details and to register go to our
website www.dukeforest.duke.edu or
call 613-8013
Check the website frequently for
additional events or sign up for our
Event Listserv
Korstian Trail Project Restoring our trails,
Protecting our environment
A Special Projects Highlight
WH
ER
E
WHY
The Red Salamander
Catawba Rhododendrons
Riparian area falls within a state level Significant Natural Heritage Area
New Hope Creek itself is a state level Aquatic Significant Natural Heritage
Area
WHY
Soil erosion Soil loss
Soil compaction Exposed roots
WHAT
Design-Build-Restore • Expert and public stakeholder consultation • New trails, reroute and/or close existing trails
Signage • Announcement signs to be posted • New signage to mark the trail system and highlight special areas
Education and Outreach • Providing opportunities to learn, participate, and comment • New maps!
dukeforestproject.wordpress.com
WHAT
Volunteer Coordination • Nicholas School groups
• Boy and Girl Scouts
• Public days
Teaching and Research • Duke undergraduate class projects • Rhododendron Bluff Restoration
• Road Reclamation/Revegetation
• Duke undergraduate thesis • Rhododendron population and disease survey
• NC State graduate class project • Evaluating the effectiveness of signage
DESIGN/BUILD
CLOSE/RESTORE
dukeforestproject.wordpress.com