Reforestation is for the Birds - and a Whole lot More                                     by Nick Werner

Delaware County’s John Newby has loved forests since childhood, when he spent countless hours in his neighbors woods. 

Several trips to rain forests in Ecuador and Peru as an adult further strengthened his passion for tree- covered landscapes and the wildlife that they support. So, 11 years ago, Newby decided to create more forest on his own, retiring 6 acres of farmland on his rural property and planting hardwoods. 

“I don’t really have any commercial interest plans in harvesting the timber, although my descendants might, but mainly just wanted to “grow my own forest” and provide wildlife habitats,” he said. 

Newby also serves on the Board of Supervisors for the Delaware County Soil & Water Conservation District (DCSWCD). Promoting timber management and conservation forestry is one of the primary objectives of First Steps, a free program through the DCSWCD to give property owners the information they need to begin the conservation planning process.

You can learn more about First Steps at conservationplan.org. 

When it comes to forestry, First Steps’ goal is two- fold -- to encourage landowners to begin actively managing existing forestland for timber and wildlife habitat and to encourage landowners to retire marginal farm ground and reforest it, just like Newby did. 

A changed landscape 

Before European settlement, Delaware County was almost entirely forested, part of a vast hardwood ecosystem that covered most of the Midwest and Eastern United States. Now, about 3 percent of the county remains forested, much of it in small, disconnected fragments. 

Indiana, as a whole, was about 85 percent forested, with prairie covering northwestern Indiana and scattered in pockets throughout the rest of the state. Right now, the state is about 20 percent forested, according to Dan Shaver, Indiana State Forester with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.

“Even though we may lose forestland to development or row-crop agriculture, we’re reforesting acres every year,” he explained. 

The federal government’s interest in reforesting land isn’t about recreating a lost moment in our region’s natural history. It’s about balancing society’s current needs while also limiting soil erosion, improving water quality, supporting wildlife, and creating clean air for us to breath. 

In Indiana, 96 percent of land is privately owned, so almost all conservation victories happen on private land.

There are many reasons private landowners embark on reforestation, Shaver said. 

Some are simply tired of farming marginal ground and pouring time, money, and resources into land that is too steep or too soggy. Others are getting out of the livestock business and no longer want to maintain pastureland. 

Some are motivated to create more hunting or birdwatching opportunities, or they want to do their part to sequester carbon and reduce impacts from climate change. 

Rarely is timber harvesting a primary motivator, since a harvest would likely not happen in the landowner’s life. From reforestation to first harvest is typically between 30 and 70 years, Shaver said. 

“It’s very much a mix of those different objectives,” Shaver said. “And one of the things we stress when working with private landowners is understanding what their objectives are for their land.” 

For landowners interested in wildlife, the benefits are almost immediate. “Within just a, a year or two of planting trees, you’re going to have songbirds show up and start utilizing that habitat,” Shaver said.

Federal programs available 

Indiana farmers interested in reforesting their farmland can take advantage of several federal programs that provide financial incentives and technical assistance. 

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) offers incentives to landowners for establishing long- term conservation practices on eligible land. 

Through the CRP and CREP, farmers can receive upfront financial assistance for the cost of reforestation and also receive annual payments to help offset the loss of income from farming the ground. The program typically lasts 10-15 years. 

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) also administered by the USDA, provides financial and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers who implement conservation practices on their land. EQIP offers cost-sharing for activities such as reforestation, tree planting, and forest management planning. By participating in EQIP, farmers can receive financial support to establish or enhance forested areas on their farmland, improving overall environmental sustainability. 

It’s crucial for farmers interested in participating in federal programs for reforestation purposes to consult with their local Soil & Water Conservation District office or USDA office. They will provide specific information on the current guidelines, eligibility requirements, and program priorities for enrollment in their area. 

“I think one of the great first steps is going to your county’s Soil and Water Conservation District and having a conversation with those local individuals,” Shaver said. “They are in the county, they’re part of the community.” 

It takes some effort 

One misconception about reforestation is that you can just quit farming or grazing livestock and let nature take its course, Shaver said.

The problem with that strategy is that your land could quickly become overrun with weeds and other non- native invasive species. Eventually, native tree species with seeds that are easily carried by wind, species such as yellow poplar and red maple, may blow in and establish a foothold. But your young forest will be lacking diversity. 

“We try to plant a mix of native hardwood seedlings,” Shaver said. “We plant a lot of oaks and hickories and walnuts and pecans. Some of these species that have bigger heavier seeds that have a hard time finding their way from adjacent forests.” 

Newby said invasive vegetation continues to try to make inroads into his woods, even after 11 years. This last fall he took out large amounts of bush honeysuckle and treated the stumps with an herbicide to discourage it from growing back.

He also battles multiflora rose, Canadian thistles, autumn olives, and even native invasives such as eastern red cedar trees. 

“It’s kind of like whack-a-mole” he said. 

As his forest grows up and the mature trees create a canopy and a shady understory, the battle against invasives should become more manageable. Nonetheless, Newby said the project has been well worth it. 

“We’re pretty pleased with our six acres of forest,” he said. “I’ve got a nice hiking trail cut through it. Our dogs love to take a walk through there and go crazy with all of the wildlife scents.”