Intergenerational transfers and long-range planning
Have you considered what is to happen to your forestland after you pass away? If the answer is ‘no,’ you’re not alone. Less than five percent (possibly significantly less) of the 10 million-plus family forest owners have planned for the long-term disposition of their forests. Yet failures to plan can lead to unsustainable practices or even forced liquidation of family forests. Consider, too, that if the current title-holders fail to plan instead leaving forests entrusted to heirs, the probability of ever effecting the necessary long-range planning drops to near zero. Forests owned by families that do not develop long-term, inter-generational plans are often sold to the highest bidder, or divided among family members, or converted to non-forest uses to pay estate transfer costs and to settle the division of assets among family. Larger forest parcels are destined to become smaller or pacelized, and ‘parcelization of land leads to fragmentation of purpose.’ Sub-divided forests are more apt to become housing, rather than continuing to provide vital habitats and productive woodlands that help support sustainable communities. Unabated, parcelization will eventually convert forested landscapes into a facade; a caricature of what they once were. Thom McEvoy, Professor, Author and Vermont Extension Forester will discuss the effects of parcelization of forests on fragmentation of purpose and describe planning strategies that owners can use to keep lands intact and in the family.
Dear Forest and Woodland Colleagues, Friends, Owners and Practitioners:
I am pleased to announce a special webinar series titled "Sustainable Woodlands" that emphasizes the range of skills and attitudes necessary for maintaining a well-managed, and sustainable, woodland. Cornell's ForestConnect program and the Department of Natural Resource are working with the Sustainable Forests Partnership on this project. We have an exceptional cadre of speakers in the next two months and I hope you will save the dates to participate. See the information below for details on dates and topics.
Webinars provide an opportunity for nationally acclaimed speakers (see list below for example) to provide an educational experience via a high-speed Internet connection to people around the world. ForestConnect is a pioneer in offering forest-related webinars and includes more than 1200 registered participants who own or manage almost 10 million acres. Prospective participants need to pre-register; registration is easy, happens once and is free. Register at www.ForestConnect.info via the web conference link. You can also connect via www.sustainablewoodlands.info Detailed information about the webinars, and previously recorded webinars, are available at these websites.
All webinars are offered once, without charge, from 12:00 to 1:15 (Eastern time) and limited to the first 100 participants to arrive. You need a high speed Internet connection and functional speakers on your computer. All webinars will be recorded for later viewing. Some libraries have high-speed connections and allow use for educational webinars.
Please email with any questions. (pjs23@cornell.edu or srb237@cornell.edu)
Sincerely,
Peter
