The last 20 years has seen much change in forest management. Images of great swaths of clear-cut land, leaving behind miles of stumps that would make the Lorax cry, were seen as an inevitable result of any forestry activities. Not surprisingly, environmentalists and loggers were at odds, each seeing the other’s position as unrealistic and irresponsible. Recently, a more pragmatic view of forestry has emerged; one that accommodates the economic interests of forested communities, where logging jobs support the economy, while at the same time taking the long-view toward sustainable land stewardship to protect the interests of wildlife and reduce the atmosphere's urgent carbon problem.

Here at Glen Brook we’ve decided to participate in this trend by implementing a forest management plan and establishing the property as a certified tree farm. This does not mean that Glen Brook’s forests will be cut down. It means that the forests will be “managed,” certain trees cut – and sold for lumber or cordwood – to encourage the growth of others so that the overall result maximizes the forest’s potential. There are four prongs to tree farm certification: wood, water, recreation and wildlife. The first, wood, simply means the use of wood for building, fuel (maple syrup evaporation and wood stoves), or sale. The protection of watersheds is equally vital to the plan, since irresponsible forest management clogs streams, kills fish, and poisons drinking water. Recreation can mean hiking or biking trails, camping, or, in Glen Brook’s case, a high- and low-ropes course. The wildlife component involves protecting certain habitats as shelter and food sources for native species: hemlock for deer stands and winter forage; soft-mast berry trees like wild cherry for songbirds and bears; and hard-mast nut trees like hickory, beech and oak for squirrels and chipmunks. Responsible forestry takes years to implement, yet the small step of tree farm certification will ensure healthy forests for Camp Glen Brook and all our children.