Forest Stewardship Program


	Forest Stewardship Handbook (File size: 1,584KB)
	2006 Forest Stewardship Grant Proposal (File size: 21KB)
	2006 Forest Health Proposal (File size: 19KB)
	10 Ways to Protect Your Woodland Property (File size: 11,271 KB)
	Biological Control of Ivy Gourd - Invasive Plant (File size: 20KB)
	Guam Forest Resource Fact Sheet -2005 (File size: 38KB)

Project Coordinator: Joseph Tuquero

The Ugum watershed restoration project continues to be a priority. The focus this planting season for the Ugum 8 year old plantations will be re-introduce several thousand native plant species (8 different species) in the understory to enhance native ecosystems, wildlife habitat, soil and water quality.

Planting of 5-10 thousand erosion control tree seedlings (Acacia confusa and Causuarina equisetifolia) will target the badlands and grasslands of about 10 acres in the Fouha watershed. This project will primarily involve the village community of Umatac, where the watershed is located. The amount of sedimentation flowing in the river that ultimately end up in the ocean and destroying the reef will also be significantly reduced.

Guam's atoll island, Cocos Island, will be addressed this year. There is currently a planning process undergoing to replenish the island with native plant species and the release of an endangered bird species. This year, Forestry will concentrate on the removal and reduction of undesired plant species, primarily invasive species. Planting activities may begin next year.

Native plant species is the focus of Forestry's nursery resources. Only two introduced species is propagated in the nursery, Acacia confusa and Gliricidia sepium (for windbreaks). Acacia confusa is needed for erosion control projects as they continue to grow vigorously in badlands and grasslands.

Forestry's nursery is still undergoing major renovation, which is needed to enhance plant health and human safety.

Promoting good stewardship of the land has always been an integral aspect in the protection and conservation of the island's natural resources. Public outreach activities at the schools and other accessible venues are on-going. Educating the public about the forest stewardship program remains a priority.

Goals and Objectives:

Encourage private landowners to plant nitrogen fixing tree species to change the savanna vegetation to forestlands. .

Provide technical assistance and tree planting materials to cooperators.

Visit previously assistance and tree planting materials to cooperators.

Encourage inter-planting of native species under existing Acacia stands and native species for windbreaks. .

Educate the general public of the importance of protecting the forest.

Provide Stewardship Plans and technical assistance in Fouha Watershed project in Umatac. A total of 3,000 acres targeted for watershed restoration for coral reef restoration at watershed outfall with 30 acres targeted for planting this fiscal year.

Implement the "Southern Guam Vegetative Strategy" as part of any Forest Stewardship plans.

Implement reforestation project at Cocos Island.

: Learn more about the Forest Stewardship Program :

Cooperative Forest Health Management Program
Project Coordinator: Joseph Tuquero
Guam has seen within the last 10 years many super typhoons, droughts associated with the El Nino phenomenon, the influx of invasive species and forest pests, this has attributed to a steady decline in the health of native forests.
Over the last five years 5 super typhoons have devastated Guam’s native forests, ungulates have been destroying the ability for regeneration of native tree seedlings and invasive species flourishing, the state of Guam’s native forests are on a rapid decline and their health threatened.
Transshipped consumer goods, farm products and construction materials have been vectors for the introduction of plant pests and diseases. One pest that has made its way to Guam is the Asian Scale which has already infested the native Cycad and has the potential to wipe out the species, which is an important cultural and food tree of Guam.
Entomologists from University of Guam have released two biological control agents to combat the Asian Cycad Scale. Guam Forestry will assist in future releases and monitoring of such activities.
Forestry will continue monitoring insect pest in 5 locations throughout the island including two separate limestone forests, ravine forests, forestry plantations, and the beach strand.
Forestry plans to fence in at least 10 Acres of plantation where native species will be re-introduced and protected from feral ungulates.
The re-forestation project will be implemented this year. Identification and removal of invasive plant species will be conducted before planting activities. Insect pests will also be monitored.
Goals:
	Monitor the outbreak of forest pest throughout the island.
	Establish data collection in different strategic locations.
	Develop efficient pest and diseases control measures.
	Implement use of GIS forest vegetation layer for use as database on forest health and to map the outbreak and spread of diseases and pests.
	Work with University of Guam to control projects for major pests.
	Conduct Guam Forest Inventory 5 year cycle.
	Restoration of 5 acres into native forests in the Cotal Conservation Reserve by converting acacia stands.
	Implement Cocos Island project.
: Learn more about the Cooperative Forest Health Management Program :