CYPRESS MANAGEMENT IN LOUISIANA

INTERIM GUIDELINES FOR CYPRESS FORESTS MANAGMENT NEED TO BE CREATED

In response to perceived adverse impacts to Louisiana’s coastal wetland forests, Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco commissioned the formation of the Coastal Wetland Forest Conservation and Use Science Working Group (SWG). The mission of the SWG was to provide information and guidelines for the long-term utilization, conservation, and protection of Louisiana’s coastal wetland forest ecosystem, from both environmental and economic perspectives. The SWG was composed of professors and researchers from Louisiana State University, Clemson University, Southeastern Louisiana University and the University of Georgia as well as staff from the United States Geological Service, the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Louisiana Forestry Association. Their report was published April 30, 2005.  The Society of American Foresters was not asked to send a representative, although several on the committee  were SAF members.

 

The Advisory Panel has recommended, among other things, that Interim Guidelines for management of cypress forests be created.  The Louisiana SAF would like to have a part in deciding what those guidelines will be and where they will be applied.  A committee to develop a LASAF position and draft guidelines has been created.  It is anticipated that LASAF play host to the stakeholders with an interest in cypress forests.

 

LASAF would like to ensure that good science is used to create these guidelines, therefore sound research is critical to this project.