Forestry

Ag Water NetWORK - Fire and Forest Management: A New Perspective for Watershed Planning
Colorado's forests provide aesthetic values, clean water, wildlife habitat, recreation, minerals and renewable resources including forage and timber.  Colorado forests also provide forestry jobs.  The White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts support and encourage active management of Colorado's forests to protect your way of life and health.  The  above video is a brief introduction to the value and benefits to forest management. 
Wildland Fire in Ponderosa Pine: Western United States

The National Park Service explains wild fire ecology in the Western United States, specifically in Ponderosa Pine forests. Historically, Ponderosa Pine tree forests have adapted to and survived wild fires. Human influences on fire regimes has caused numerous changes to these cycles and affected both fires and the forests. 
Timber Harvesting on Federal, State, and Other Public Forest Lands

The Society of American Foresters supports commercial and non-commercial timber harvesting as an objective and the primary means for maintaining resilient and sustainable forests on federal and other public lands. Experience around the world has shown that, to achieve sustainability, forested landscapes must provide a robust and mutually supportive complement of environmental, economic and social values.
Determining the Processed CutStock Recovery Rate from Standing Dead Beetle - Killed Lodgepole Pine Timber

Findings from this study reveal that no statistical
difference exists between the percentage
of cut stock yield from green living trees and beetle-killed trees that had been standing dead for up to nine years. The percentage of a beetle-killed lodgepole pine tree-length log’s cubic volume that was clearwood or blue-stain and suitable for cut stock averaged 28.9%. The average percent
of lumber that was suitable for cut stock averaged 73.6%. Finally, tree diameter, not time spent standing dead, is the more significant factor to consider when maximizing cut stock yield.
Soil Erosion Control after Wildfire 
Hydrophobic Soils: "In severe, slow-moving fires, the combustion of vegetative materials creates a gas that penetrates the soil profile. As the soil cools, this gas condenses and forms a waxy coating. This causes the soil to repel water - a phenomena called hydrophobicity. This hydrophobic condition increases the rate of water runoff. Percolation of water into the soil profile is reduced, making it difficult for seeds to germinate and for the roots of surviving plants to obtain moisture."  
Picture
Photo Courtesy of USFS
Forest Health Tour

The White River Conservation District hosted a two day tour focused on Forest Health in 2010.  Click  2010 Forest Health Tour for tour overview.
External Links:
[National Interagency Fire Center (Website/Picture Link)]