What is Sustainable Forest Management?

Sustainable forest management is the careful use and stewardship of forests to maintain their environmental, social, cultural, and economic benefits over time. At GSCA, management decisions are guided by the best available information and science to reduce negative impacts and mimic natural processes such as lightning, wind, ice, disease, or insects. These events typically remove individual trees or small groups, creating openings for new growth.

Shade-tolerant species like sugar maple often thrive in these conditions and will become the dominant species over time.  Less shade tolerant species such as black cherry and white ash may establish briefly but will decline without sufficient sunlight. By utilizing different management strategies, GSCA ensures its forests remain healthy, diverse, and productive for the future.