Linking Forestry and Wildlife to Water Quality

Linking Forestry and Wildlife to Water Quality

Rusty Evans, University of Tennessee Extension, Montgomery County

Wildlife and Timber Management are related. By developing a management plan such as the Forest-A-Syst, forest landowners can maximize productivity of their forest and management of wildlife.

The objectives of a water quality field day grant received for field days held in 20022004 were to educate landowners to improve profitability, reduce soil erosion, improve wildlife habitat and maintain water quality of streams through the use of forestry best management practices and streamside management zones.

Wildlife food plots can be established along roads, forest, logging landings, or openings created for wildlife management. Food plots also serve to control erosion and improve water quality.

Streamside management zones are primarily for protection of water quality but also provide food and habitat for both water and land based communities.
Buffer strips left along both sides of streams help to create wildlife travel lanes and protect water quality.

Livestock grazing forested areas have a negative impact on forest and wildlife benefits. Livestock can be fenced out of riparian areas in order to improve erosion and water quality. Further control is sometimes needed to maintain aquatic habitat.

Forestry and Wildlife Habitat Management educational programs were presented to landowners through meetings, field days, tours and demonstrations.