James Douglas, New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry
Forest Action Plan
New Jersey’s cool, green, and growing forests
The mission of the NJ Forest Service is to sustainably manage “All Trees” whether they reside on private lands, on state property or in urban and community forests. The NJ Forest Service through this NJ State Forest Action Plan (SFAP) will provide forest owners, land managers, and other natural resource professionals with the ability to make informed decisions about forest resources including new natural resource-related jobs and markets.
To effectively manage forest resources of the nation’s most densely populated state (US Census Bureau 2010), the NJ Forest Service will continue to expand its scope, and redefine what it means to manage trees and forests. The NJ Forest Service also employs a collaborative interactive process for input from a diverse group of stakeholders outside the circles of traditional forest planners. This process expands into the measurement of urban and community forests, and post-activity monitoring of forest management treatments. Setting realistic goals and expectations that utilize sustainable forest management to provide diverse ecosystem services is our primary goal.
Sustaining water quality, open space, carbon sinks, diversity of species, and timberland
New Jersey maintains a diversity of plant and animal species by working to ensure habitat for native species and discourage invasive species. Atlantic white-cedar stands, which are currently being restored in New Jersey, are of particular importance to biodiversity because they provide benefits to a wide range of plant and animal species, including several threatened and endangered species.
New Jersey recorded 821 rare or endangered plants plus 30 threatened and 37 endangered wildlife species. We work to provide habitat for the rare, endangered, and threatened species as well as common species before their populations decline.
Managing wildfires, invasive plants, insects, and diseases as well as the impact of development to ensure forest health
Although forests are the greatest land use in New Jersey, every county in the state is declared “urban.” As developed areas encroach on forested areas, we see an increase in land conversion, fragmentation, and parcelization. Development may degrade water, reduce wildlife habitat, increase disturbance, and even encourage invasive plants. Development also impacts the habitat of threatened and endangered plant and animal species. We protect our forest land from conversion to urban development to maintain the sustainability of our forest resource.
New Jersey is currently managing lands for gypsy moth, bacterial leaf scorch, gouty oak gall, Asian longhorned beetle, southern pine beetle, and hemlock woolly adelgid as well as invasive plant species. Although not yet found in the state, we also monitor for sudden oak death, sirex woodwasp, and emerald ash borer. By tracking these conditions, we can more accurately predict and plan for future outbreaks.
Best Management Practices
New Jersey’s best management practices (BMPs) program is quasi-regulatory. The agency responsible for BMPs policy development is the New Jersey Forest Service.
Click here to view the most recent BMPs recommendations on the state forestry agency website.
