Over the last century, as abandoned farm
lands have been restored to their natural state of forest, the
reforestation of New York has helped develop an environment which has
many natural resources that can be utilized for economic, recreational
and scientific activities. These efforts encompass replanting projects
and natural forest succession on acquired lands as well as private
tracts of land throughout the state. The net effect has been profound;
the state has gone from about 20 - 25% forest cover in 1890 to about 62%
today.
With the development of the railroad and State Canal systems , as well
as the socioeconomic impact of the Great Depression, an easier and
necessary "exodus" of farmers began from the hilltop farms of central
New York to the vast prairie lands in the Midwest. As word of
opportunities spread, a mass migration began from the worn out farms
that could barely produce a living. With the advent of machines such as
tractors and mowing machines that could only be fully utilized on the
lowlands, even more farmers realized the advantages of the prairies. The
Great Depression forced the rest of these farmers off their land, and in
search of some way to survive.
As more and more farms were abandoned, it was obvious that there was a
serious problem in New York. The Forest Preserves had been gradually
reforested, but the remainder of the state was not faring as well.
Private owners were reforesting at a rate of about 18% of the
abandonment rate at this time, and it was obvious that something needed
to be done. As a result, in 1928 the State Reforestation Commission was
formed and a year later a law began the reforestation of New York..
The main objectives of the law and its amendment was to retire farmland
from agricultural use permanently, and reforest these regions, providing
a wide range of resources from timber to public recreational areas. The
program mainly attempted to acquire lands that were at least 50%
cleared, and suitable for reforestation. The initial planting of new
land began in the fall of 1929 in Otsego, Chenango and Cortland
counties. Planting of these areas proceeded as fast as titles were
cleared and closed, and trees were made available.
These reforestation areas became the nucleus of the present day State
Forest systems. In l930, Forest Districts were established and the tasks
of land acquisition and reforestation were started. In 1933 the Civilian
Conservation Corps (CCC) was begun in response to the economic distress
of the Great Depression. Thousands of young men were assigned to plant
millions of trees on the newly acquired State Forests. In addition to
tree planting, these men were engaged in road and trail building,
campground and park construction, erosion control, watershed
restoration, forest protection and other projects.
The Park and Recreation Land Acquisition Act
of l960, and the Environmental Quality Bond Acts of l972 and l986
contained provisions for the acquisition of lands to be managed for
multiple uses and added to the State Forest system. The recent Clean
Water Clean Air Bond has provided funding which has continued the
expansion of the State Forest system. These lands would serve multiple
purposes involving the conservation and development of natural
resources, including the preservation of scenic areas, watershed
protection, forestry and recreation. Today there are over 700,000 acres
of State Forests throughout New York. The use of these lands for a
variety of purposes such as timber production, hiking, skiing, fishing,
trapping and hunting is of tremendous importance economically and to the
health and well-being of the people of the State.
To learn more about the State Forests
that surround McDonough, use the quick links below... |
