Land Bank expands forestry and habitat work, rebuilds prescribed-burn program

Property-management staff told the Land Bank Commission on Dec. 9 that the agency has mobilized a multi-zone forestry program at Hinsdale and is rebuilding a prescribed-burn program to manage habitat and lower fire risk.

The presenter described dividing the Hinsdale site into four zones so work can proceed while leaving some trails open to the public; Zone 1 contains about 300 marked trees and staff estimated roughly 800 trees across the property and said they hope to finish Zone 1 in a few weeks, weather permitting. The presenter explained cut thresholds by DBH (diameter at breast height): smaller trees (about 4–5 inches DBH) are targeted with chippers while larger trees will be removed with heavier equipment.

Staff reported two chippers will be used at times, that the local landfill has agreed to waive tipping fees for chips, and that the Land Bank is compiling a running list of people who want wood chips. Staff also said they are exploring biochar production from chips as a potential long-term resource for farms.

The commission heard that the Land Bank rebuilt its burn program, held a two-day chainsaw and prescribed-fire training (national standard 131) with more than 30 participants including the fire department and DCR, and received the DEP burn permit on the preceding Friday; however, staff said they will defer burns until spring to avoid icy conditions and pump-freeze risks. The presenter acknowledged a permit delay and suggested it may have been prolonged by a federal government shutdown but said the permit had been issued.

Commissioners thanked staff for maintaining properties and praised Claire’s encroachment enforcement work elsewhere on the inventory, citing resolved long-standing encroachments and active drone/GIS use to verify property lines.

What happens next
Staff will continue the phased forestry work, coordinate signage and closures, further train local crews and plan prescribed burns for spring once weather and equipment conditions allow.