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BENIGN NEGLECT
Article #116, February 2007
By Bill Cook
Benign neglect, at best, is a state of good intention without action. Often times, the failures of omission have more dire consequences than errors of commission. In other words, what we don't do can be just as important as what we do do. Forests are far too often "managed" through benign neglect.
Doing "nothing" generates opportunity for unpleasant things. A vegetable garden ignored is a garden lost. Forests are much the same way.
Many a well-intentioned forest owner allows "nature" to take its course, thinking that nature "knows" best. Nature "knows" nothing. However, natural processes have predictability. More often than not, this leads to unintended and undesirable consequences.
In a
way, "natural" forests don't exist, at least not in the romantic sense
of some set of pre-human environmental conditions. We have inherited a legacy
shaped by historic over-harvest, wildfires, and exotic species introductions.
Therefore, forests can no longer follow an entirely natural course. The notion
of returning to "pre-Euro-American" forest conditions is not only
ecologically impossible, but it's absurd from the social and economic standpoints
as well. Forests may "look" natural to the casual observer, but the
way something looks is an exceptionally poor indicator of forest health and
quality.
Looking
to the future, and imagining what might be, is a far more valuable exercise
than benign neglect. Securing a healthy and vigorous forest that meets the demands
of society takes more than good intentions; it takes management and a sense
of community welfare. We often forget the importance of forests, other than
for "trophy" possessions or a place to stick a house into. Forests
are essential elements for our survival. Relegating forests to a mere recreational
role is extremely short-sighted and calls into question a range of social justice
issues. Owning forest land opens up a rich and exciting set of purpose-driven
possibilities.
Forest
resources produce valuable commodities. Some folks may not acknowledge their
personal use of wood-based products, but wood is just as vital to our livelihood
as oil, coal, gas, metals, water, and any other raw material. One main difference,
of course, is that wood is renewable. If we put our collective minds to the
task, more of our supply could be produced domestically, and responsibly.
Forest
resources also have a wide range of non-commodity values, such as wildlife habitat,
water and soil protection, recreation, etc. Recognition of these values has
been long-in-coming in some cases, but they are also very important values that
can be enhanced through management.
Benign
neglect can lead to the degradation of all these values. There are numerous
examples. Timber quality and dollar values decline long before the trees become
outwardly unhealthy. As stream-side forests crumble, they may not be replaced
by new forests. This can lead to deterioration of both stream quality and trout
habitat. Thoughtless recreation has introduced and spread a variety of exotic
and invasive species. The patterns of second home and retirement construction
are alarming. Forests that grow too dense will lose structure, affecting wildlife
habitat, and slowed tree growth creates a forest under stress, an unhealthy
condition. Too much shade or too much light can prevent the regeneration of
many trees, shrubs, and flowers. Mis-managed and unmanaged forests frequently
have less tree species diversity, making the forest more susceptible to diseases
and insects. The ravages of beech bark disease in the eastern Upper Peninsula
and the spread of oak wilt across the region are good case studies of forest
damage tied to human neglect.
Forest management seems to be one of those activities with numerous win-win outcomes and is the only sensible choice to deal with the increasing pressures on our forest resources. Cultivating a sense of stewardship through better management becomes a cherished mission. Not only can competitive and renewable revenues be enjoyed, but all the other benefits of forest ownership can be increased, and forests can be better protected. Forestry is a solution to many of our environmental challenges. We practice benign neglect at our own peril.
- 30 -
Trailer
Bill Cook is an MSU
Extension forester providing educational programming for the entire Upper Peninsula.
His office is located at the MSU Upper Peninsula Tree Improvement Center near
Escanaba. The Center is the headquarters for three MSU Forestry properties in
the U.P., with a combined area of about 8,000 acres. He can be reached at cookwi@msu.edu
or 906-786-1575.
Prepared
by Bill Cook, Forester/Biologist, Michigan State University Extension, 6005
J Road, Escanaba, MI 49829
906-786-1575 (voice), 906-786-9370 (fax), e-mail: cookwi@msu.edu
Use
/ reprinting
of these articles is encouraged. Please notify Bill Cook.
By-line should read "Bill Cook, MSU Extension" Please use the article
trailer whenever possible.
Michigan State University is an affirmative action equal opportunity institution. The U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital status or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
This website is maintained by Bill Cook, Michigan State University Extension
Forest in the Upper Peninsula. Comments, questions,
and suggestions are gratefully accepted.
Last
update of this page was
1 February, 2007
This site is hosted by School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science at Michigan Technological University.
