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Landscape Forestry
The process of allocating lands for the sometimes-conflicting needs of a growing population can be a challenge for foresters and landowners today. With an ever-increasing world population, there are more demands put on our land today than ever before.
In this activity, students will be exposed to the challenges of land management as they develop their own land-use plan for a given piece of property. They will discover how a forest is able to provide for the multiple needs of a population.
Materials Needed
 1. Map of "Forest Valley" (see below, or click here for printable PDF version)
2. Colored markers or pencils
3. Chart board and paper
Activity
1. Divide the class into teams of 4-5 students. Give each student a copy of the map of "Forest Valley." Each team will select one member of the group to assume the role of "environmental advocate."
2. The goal is to develop a land-use plan for "Forest Valley" that meets ALL of these criteria:
- Decide the location of a new village containing 100 houses for 275 people. The village will have minimal impact on the environment, including the air, water, and land. Each house will require 1/2 acre, including streets and roads. What would this town look like if you lived there?
- Plan a location for a small 40-acre wooded park for recreation that includes swimming, launching ramp for fishing boats without motors, and picnic grounds.
- Allocate land for a 20-acre farm to grow vegetables for the village. It must be close to a source of water.
- A landfill and solid waste incinerator facility will require 10 acres of land.
- Decide where to allow for logging that will create enough logs to build some things in the village and provide fuel for some of the heating needs in the village. These "working forests" can be no larger than 25 acres and must be surrounded on all sides by a buffer zone 1/2-unit wide.
Zoning Regulations
- Only enough roads will be built in the valley to meet the essential needs of the village. No logging roads will be built. Horse teams will be used for all logging.
- Preserve and protect the existing wildlife.
- Johnson Cabin cannot be disturbed.
- All land subdivisions of any kind (logging areas, parks, town, etc.) must be rectangular with boundaries in a north-south or east-west orientation to make surveying easier for the zoning inspector.
Other Information You Should Know
- Water and sewer systems will be planned after the land use plan has been developed.
- The zoning inspector cannot be bribed.
- The descendants of Mr. Johnson will be watching how you develop the area.
- Food and essentials that cannot be grown or made in the town can be bought and brought in on the 130-mile road from the nearest town.
- Forests covers all of the land except the meadow and the Johnson cabin site. The forest contains even-aged trees that were replanted one year after the big fire of 1910.
- A small herd of 6 female and 3 male elk live in elk meadow.
- Bears live in the area around Bear Cave. One male, one female, and 2 cubs have been sited.
- The valley being allocated for your town is an experimental program to see if urban development can be successful in a national forest.
- Each team will prepare a map on chart paper showing its "Forest Valley" development plan and present it to the whole class.
Assessment
- Evaluate the plans to be sure they meet all the criteria.
- Teams explain the advantages of their plan and answer questions from the rest of the class
Closure
- Ask students "What can a planner do to make everyone happy in developing places for people? Is it possible to satisfy everyone with the plans?"
Possible Extensions
- Look around your city for urban development projects. Do you think they are planned to protect the environment or for ease of construction?
- Are wooded areas preserved in the development plans in your city?
- Ask a forester to come to class and explain the new practices of "Landscape Forestry."
Multiple Intelligences Utilized
- Visual
- Teamwork
- Logical-mathematical
- Spatial
Content Areas
- Art
- Earth Science
- Georgraphy
Questions regarding this activity or land management in general? Please e-mail forest expert: bill.fuller@weyerhaeuser.com
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