The Northstar Habitat Management Plan

Forestry and Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Project

The Northstar Habitat Management Plan prioritizes forestry treatment areas for forest and wildlife habitat enhancement as well as fire safety.A majority of these areas are in Zone E2 on lands targeted for improvement and conservation. Northstar completed 200 acres of forest enhancement between 2010-2012 through a shared costs grant with the California Fire Safe Council (right).

The Fuels Management program utilized alternative timber treatment methodology with the goal of minimizing environmental impacts and disturbance to the land. The approach minimized the project footprint and environmental impacts associated with traditional tree removal methodology. All non-merchantable woody debris was recycled on site for re-vegetation and erosion control or hauled off site to a biomass plant. The timber treatments were successful in promoting a healthier forest through reduction of fire fuels, wildlife habitat enhancement and selective thinning to promote forest health.