Woodland Conservation and the Master Plan

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1 1 WHAT IS A MASTER PLAN? A Vision for the Future of Your Community Woodland Conservation and the Master Plan Goals Objectives Strategies

2 2 How Will Your Community Look? TREE PRESERVATION AND THE MASTER PLAN What do you have? Native Woodlands Individual Trees Historic Trees Big Trees Disturbed Sites Scrub-Shrub

3 3 TREE PRESERVATION AND THE MASTER PLAN What do you want to preserve? TREE PRESERVATION AND THE MASTER PLAN Why do you want to preserve it? Importance: Ecological Social Economic Habitat Recreation Water Quality Slope Protection

4 4 MASTER PLAN GOAL: WOODLAND PROTECTION Community character should be conserved by carefully managing the scale and intensity of development, retaining farmland, woodlandsand other open lands, preserving historic structures and districts, andby managing change to complement historic resources. -Banisch Associates OBJECTIVES How will you achieve the goals? Conservation of Natural Resources Land Use Policies Community Design

5 5 OBJECTIVES: Natural Resources OBJECTIVES: Land Use To protect biological diversity through the maintenance of large contiguous tracts and corridors of recreation, forest, flood plain and other open space lands. To identify and manage stream corridor buffer areas by maintaining undisturbed vegetation in order to protect and improve water quality, and provide wildlife corridors and opportunities for passive and active recreation. -Banisch Associates To protect and maintain the prevailing rural character and unique sense of place of the Township, including diverse residential neighborhoods, historic settlement areas and scenic landscapes, which result from the natural topography, agricultural lands, woodlandsand watercourses. -Banisch Associates

6 6 OBJECTIVES: Community Design OBJECTIVES: Community Design To retain to the greatest extent practicable attractive vistas from public rights-of-way, including views of hills, valleys, ridgelines, woodlands, farmlands, hedge rows, stream corridors, flood plains and other natural areas. -Banisch Associates A PLAN FOR ACTION: Strategies Special Area Master Plans Conservation Element Open Space and Recreation Plan Design Guidelines

7 7 Conservation is a state of harmony between men and land. -Aldo Leopold Benefits of Trees Inventory Data Mapping Comprehensive Conservation Policies How Trees Relate Tree Protection Strategies CONSERVATION ELEMENT Part of the Master Plan THE BENEFITS OF TREES Woodlands and other native vegetation perform a series of important functions related to the ecological balance Forests produce oxygen, giving them intrinsic value. They reduce soil erosion and surface runoff, absorb pollutants and promote aquifer recharge, because of the high moisture holding capacity of the forest soils and tree canopy. Forests provide habitats for plants and animals and provide open space and recreation lands. They enhance the visual character of scenic corridors, create a feeling of privacy and seclusion and reduce noise impacts. And they affect local climatic conditions near or within their boundaries, such as the cooling effect on trout streams. Woodlands and other native vegetation also provide visual diversity in the terrain, enhancing the value of property. Removal of trees and other vegetation can result in ecological, hydrological, and economic impacts. -Banisch Associates

8 8 INVENTORY Land-use ethics are still governed wholly by economic self-interest, just as social ethics were a century ago. -Aldo Leopold PRIORITIES: Which Resources are Most Important? Ecological Social Cultural Economic

9 9 PRIORITIES Mapping Priority Resources STRATEGIES Tree Protection Tools Forest Associations Specimen Trees Hedgerows Historic Features Viewsheds Rural/Rustic Roads Community Forestry Plan Special Zoning Districts Creative Site Design Techniques Natural Resource Protection Ordinances Resource Acquisition and Management Public Education and Outreach

10 10 OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION ELEMENT Part of the Master Plan TOWNSHIP OF WEST WINDSOR COMMUNITY FORESTRY MANAGEMENT AND STREET TREE MASTER PLAN COMMUNITY FORESTRY PLAN: A Comprehensive Approach Acquisition Needs Site Selection Criteria Weighted Criteria Recreational Uses Land Management Plan Define the Mission Publish the Goals and Objectives Create an Action Plan Coordinate Public and Private Efforts Evaluate the Program Periodically

11 11 Maintenance Political Support Financial Support Volunteer Participation Public Education and Outreach COMMUNITY FORESTRY PLAN: Long Term Commitment Conservation is getting nowhere because it is incompatible with our concept of land. We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect. -Aldo Leopold WOODLAND CONSERVATION AND THE MASTER PLAN Document the Value of Resources Identify Priorities Clearly Define Goals Develop Flexible Land Use Policies Propose Creative Site Design Techniques