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The following was submitted by the Conservation Commission:
The Conservation Commission is responsible for the care and control of Winchester’s conservation spaces. Winchester has almost 150 acres of conservation space with the largest being Winning Farm, Sucker Brook, and Town Forest.
These serve multiple purposes, and the commission has ongoing activities in these spaces to ensure these purposes are preserved into the future.
Recognizing that external expertise could be beneficial in refining how the conservation spaces are managed, the commission is seeking to work with state experts to develop a Forest Stewardship Plan and has chosen Town Forest as the initial target for this effort.
Such a plan will plot a course to manage the Town Forest to maintain its health, help adapt to climate change, enhance bird habitat, and increase enjoyment for residents. The plan is being developed through DCR’s ForestWorks program.
A Forest Stewardship Plan is a 10-year, nonbinding planning tool that documents options for management practices that will lead to a productive and healthy forest for the next generation.
The Forest Stewardship Plan considers soil and water, climate, wildlife, forest products, and recreation. It recommends actions to enhance a forest’s environmental value while providing social and economic benefits — on and beyond the land. In addition, it provides the basis for application for state grants to execute the forestry practices suggested.
The commission has applied for and received a state cost-sharing grant to develop the Forest Stewardship Plan for the Town Forest. In the future, the commission would like to develop plans for Winning Farm and Sucker Brook.
The commission has selected Mike Fleming, a local forester well-experienced in preparation of such plans, to work with the commission and residents to develop the Forest Stewardship Plan.
Fleming has over 30 years experience working at the local, regional, and state level on conservation and sustainable management of forest resources.
The commission is holding an in-person public meeting with Fleming on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. in the Winchester Room at Town Hall, to answer questions about forest stewardship and obtain feedback on stewardship goals for the Town Forest.
Agenda and notice will be available on the Conservation Commission website.
