Fifty years ago on October 16, 2010, twelve North Shore landowners gathered at Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center in Schroeder, MN to begin an interactive learning journey that has produced the forest we view today when we look out our windows, or gaze landward from our boats, or appreciate as we hike the Superior Hiking Trail. This dedicated group of landowners was the second group of “Lost Forest” woodland advisors to dedicate their time, talents, and energy to learning about and restoring the forest along Superior’s North Shore. Sugarloaf: The North Shore Stewardship Association was the developer of and grant writer for the initiative that began in 2005, with 2010 marking a commitment to growing the program.
Participants all own land along or near the North Shore of Lake Superior. They spent additional hours outside of class reading, listening to webinars, working their land, researching topics that would help them in restoring their woodland properties and interviewing with Forester Jan and Mike, sharing their goals for the future forest on their property.
October 16, 2060:
From the journal of a “Lost Forest” woodland advisor:
On this fiftieth anniversary of the “Lost Forest” initiative, it is a pleasure to gaze upon the young and healthy forest made up of birch, spruce, aspen, maple, cedar, balsam fir, bur oak, hemlock, and on the highlands, young white and red/Norway pine.
The climate has warmed over the past 50 years, giving us a dryer, warmer environment with more frequent, intense storms. Increasing temperatures and decreasing soil moisture in summer months has had dramatic effects on plant communities. New biological communities have arisen, dominated by plant and animal species that are best able to disperse in our new climate, especially invasive species. As predicted back in 2011, the ranges for plants and trees have shifted from south to north and from west to east. In addition, climatic disturbances have changed the frequency and severity of fires, tornados, insect and pathogens, thunderstorms and droughts.
Invasive plants, insects, and diseases, such as buckthorn, Emerald Ash Borer, and White Pine Blister Rust, have contributed to the demise of the forest that existed 50 years ago and the succession of the young healthy forest we see today. Herbicides that are relatively earth friendly supplement digging and pulling in maintaining control of non-native plants. Identifying and locating the invasive plants are the first step before applying the herbicide. The newer herbicides used today to eliminate invasive species are more targeted to specific species and are more rapidly degraded to protect the environment. The use of CWMA (Cooperative Weed Management Area) teams, working with landowners to try to eradicate the sources of the invasive species and apply the herbicides, has increased and the benefits are visible in the forest.
There are constants that remain as they were fifty years ago. The larger rivers still flow, deeper lakes provide good fishing, and the ledge rock remains ever so strong at the waters edge. The smaller creeks and streams are more often dry due to the warming climate with longer, drier summers. The increases in the wolf and coyote populations have reduced the whitetail deer herds substantially.
Technology is a new constant in the maintaining of and planting of new trees in the young forest. Tree farms and tree gardens, developed just for climate change, are two of our best sources for new trees to plant where landowners need and want them. Large area seeding from the air is another popular technique used by landowners to reforest larger areas of their acreages. Cooperative efforts between landowners and government agencies contribute to the steady growth of the young forest. Landowners share knowledge and resources, such as equipment, work force and tools to make managing and maintenance easier for the landowners and Mother Nature.
Technology abounds in the landscape. Residential living, tourism and diversity within the population have all increased. Demand for more lighting and creature comforts impacts the technology seen in the landscape. Wind and wave generators, communications towers for TV and cell phones, as well as electric generators are dotted through the forest. New roads carefully plotted to get to the technological equipment run in and around the young forest. Again, cooperation and collaboration between landowners and government agencies is extremely important in these efforts to get the landowners what they need to maintain a healthy forest.
Less public money is available for protecting the resources the forest offers landowners and visitors. Often the land is too expensive for a family succession plan. Therefore, educational efforts are prevailing in many social settings within the established villages and towns along the North Shore as well as within the tourism settings of resorts and townhome associations. Ongoing town meetings, forest management presentations, Sugarloaf and State Park educational programming, as well as hunting, fishing, hiking, biking and recreational vehicle education all contribute to the ongoing interest in and commitment to the forest along the North Shore of Lake Superior. Forest fragmentation and exploitation of forest resources is in check because of the collaborative efforts among all groups using the forest. There is room for all and the acceptance of “the common good” prevails. We live with the forest; the shared commitment to preserving and caring for the forest abounds thanks to the efforts of so many over the past fifty years.
Mary McDermid
Mike Reichenbach, Molly Thompson, Jan Bernu
Robert Callery
Lawrence Doe
Marty Duchscher
Cheryl Erickson & David Tyack
Suzanne Hanson
Randall Lake
Michael Monten
Fran & Jim Mullin
Glen & Darlene Scott
Jane Sweet
Dale Ulrich
11-22-2011
We must protect the forests for our children, grandchildren and children yet to be born. We must protect the forests for those who can’t speak for themselves such as the birds, animals, fish and trees.
~ Chief Edward Moody, Qwatsinas, Nuxalk Nation ~
More about the Lost Forest Scenario Planning project:
Lost Forest participants enjoyed:
- A 60-hour customized Woodland Advisor training program under the instruction and direction of Mike Reichenbach, University of Minnesota, Extension Educator, Forestry; Molly Thompson, Executive Director, Sugarloaf: The North Shore Stewardship Association; Jan Bernu, consultant and SAF Certified Forester; and guest instructors.
- A certified Forest Stewardship Plan for their land, developed by Forester Jan, based on the landowner’s goals for the environment of the future forests.
- Access to mini-grant funds for forestry work on their property and access to genetically appropriate nursery stock.
- Help with tree planting and trail clearing from Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa.
- Help with invasive species spraying and removal
Class topics included:
- Growing and tending tree seedlings
- Tree identification
- Insect diseases and tree growth
- Financial care of your land – easements, land transfer, taxes
- Climate change – “How will it affect the North Shore?”
- Measuring and reading your forest
- Non-timber forest products
- GPS/GIS
- Wildlife diversity
- Timber sales
- Record keeping/ journaling
