5 Mechanic Street
Shelburne Falls
MA
Trout need pools and riffles to find food and grow big. In-stream wood creates vital habitat, more food sources from bugs, and cover from predators. To get bigger fish, make bigger pools. Wood in streams also slows flood water down, pushing it out onto the flood plain and reducing the impact on downstream communities.
Trout Unlimited is hosting an introductory training for foresters and harvesters on November 8th at Franklin Land Trust in Shelburne Falls to learn about how to build in-stream woody habitat (also called woodloading or strategic woody additions) using chop-and-drop or chop-and grip methods.
The first half of the day will be inside learning about why folks around the state are starting to implement this practice (including NRCS), the benefits it can have for both the stream and the forest, how it differs from usual logging BMPs, what kind of different permits and considerations it will require, and how to create a ‘messy’ in-stream structure that will stay in place.
The second half of the day we’ll be out in the HO Cook State Forest putting some of these installations on the ground and showing folks how to use a grip-hoist to really secure trees in the stream channel.
At the training, participants will learn how to:
- Make log jams for better habitat
- Key in wood so it doesn’t mobilize
- Which permits are required and why
- Become an NRCS service provider
- Integrate these practices into landowners’ Forest Management Plans
To reserve a spot, email erin.rodgers@tu.org or go to https://tinyurl.com/f4f-training2019