Book Review: Tending Your Forest, A Guide to Ecological Forest Stewardship by Paul Catanzaro and Anthony D’Amato
Review by Nancy Patch
Our work at Cold Hollow to Canada focuses on implementing ecological forest stewardship across the landscape. We have learned from and worked with the authors of this book for many years and have shared their message with landowners across our region.
Now, Professors Catanzaro and D’Amato have compiled their years of experience and wisdom into one book that is designed specifically for landowners. This book is a tool, like an owner’s manual for the forest, that a landowner can use for deeper learning. It can also provide direction for communicating with their consulting forester and logger. We at CHC also believe that every forester and student of forestry should read this book. One never stops learning.
In part one of the book, the authors describe the ecology of the forest, what the forests in our region were once like compared to what they are today, and what exactly ecological forest stewardship is. The information in this section provides a landowner with the context to address the current conditions including a changing climate, new threats such as invasive species, and increased pressure from deer browse. The authors explain that ecological forest stewardship is the best way to restore our forests and restore our relationship to them.
In part two of the book, Catanzaro and D’Amato go into great detail about different approaches to managing one’s forest. Not every forest is the same, and not every forestland owner is the same. There are many ways to manage a forest based on individual goals. Some will take an active approach, while others may manage the forest more passively. There is a wide spectrum of available options between intensive management and a hands-off passive approach. This spectrum includes differing ways to restore a forest as well as prepare the forest for the future.
Landowners goals might include focusing on restoring Old Growth Characteristics, mitigating climate change, enhancing and diversifying wildlife habitat, and building forest resilience that can address the modern threats that our forests face. The beautiful thing is that through ecological forest stewardship many of these goals can be met at the same time.
Reading this book and referring back to it as a guide provides clear direction in easily accessible language. After all, forestry is not rocket science, it is far more complex. However, Catanzaro and D’Amato take the mystery away and bring clarity to the work on the ground. There could be no better companion for a landowner who loves their forest.
Please order and buy this book from our supporter and friends at Phoenix Books.
