Natural Resource Inventories   

An inventory is an assessment of current conditions and can be a quick and informal "rapid assessment", or it can involve detailed mapping of forest stands, natural communities, and ecologically sensitive areas. The inventory is not only a valuable foundation for a management plan, it also helps answer such questions as: Are there any rare species, or rare natural communities? What is the wildlife habitat quality? What is the timber potential of the site? Is the site affected by non-native, invasive species?

Management Planning

A good management plan states the long-term goals for management of a site and spells out the timing and sequencing of management activities. Whether the primary goal is timber management, wildlife habitat improvement, recreation, sugarbush development, or restoration of natural processes, the process of defining goals is best served by close consultation with the landowner. Ideally, a management plan is informed by a natural resource inventory and assessment of the site's natural and cultural history.