Professional land management
Newleaf was founded to assist private landowners in all aspects of property management, from forest products to wildlife habitat. We offer a wide range of management services for private landowners, cooperatives, conservation groups and trusts. We make high-quality, professional land management accessible by bringing together state-of-the-art science and techniques, state and federal funding, and non-profit organizations who support management activities on private land.
Through our comprehensive approach, we can provide the most thorough, effective, and affordable professional services available.
Actively managing your forests
It is a common misconception that the best management practice is to “let nature take its course”.
At first glance, it seems that this would be the best way to improve the natural condition of any property, to erase the impact of human manipulation, and restore the “wild” balance. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a “natural condition”.
Centuries ago, the northeast was as wild as it will ever be, and there was a delicate balance that created habitat for all of our native species. There was no infringement of colonists, cities, habitat fragmentation, invasive species, pollution and overpopulation. Many natural processes allowed for healthy, balanced ecosystems.
Beavers, wildfires and storms provided openings and opportunities for early successional species. Large, undisturbed tracts of contiguous habitat, punctuated by these natural disturbances, was the foundation that led to the formation of the diverse and wonderful array of wildlife species native to the northeast.
But for over 400 years, man has manipulated, and in some cases permanently changed, the “natural” ecosystem. We have removed native species, added non-native ones, degraded habitat quality and soil conditions, created urban areas, and utilized resources intensively.
Today, we still have remnants of the pre-colonial ecosystem, but it will never function again how it once did.
Land ownership is largely private, and is broken up into tiny parcels across a large expanse of forest that extends from New York throughout the northeast to northern Maine. Over 80%-a vast majority-is completely in the hands of private landowners. Currently, these parcels are being managed almost entirely on a per-owner basis, with very few management cooperatives present. The health of these parcels relies on intensive management to create the most habitat out of small fragments of habitat.
Before colonial times, large tracts of naturally changing habitats worked together and were finely balanced. Today, we must take our knowledge of how those extensive historic habitats worked, and make them work in a relatively small, limited and often restricted landscape.
This is the only way to provide the variation, quality and combination of habitats that is required for all of the native flora and fauna of the northeast.
Private landowners hold the future of our natural environment in their hands.
By working with private landowners and agricultural land, land trusts, and non-profit conservation organizations, Newleaf can help work towards a realistic present-day landscape that is healthy, sustainable, productive, and rich in wildlife. Each individual landowner has their own goals, and these goals can be worked into management plans that provide the variation and high-quality habitat that is required to improve the health of our natural environment.
With a little guidance, some hard work, and a commitment to enhancing our natural world, we can completely change the condition of our entire region, one parcel at a time.
Together, we really can make a difference!
Call or email us today for more information on how we can help you manage or improve your property affordably and efficiently!
607 229 0272 newleafenvironmental@gmail.com