High School Students Explore Sealaska Silviculture Practices

Craig and Klawock high school students recently took a field trip and explored Sealaska’s silviculture practices on Prince of Wales Island. Silviculture is the art of managing forest re-growth after harvest to improve the quality and mix of trees and to improve ground vegetation important for wildlife.

“We are proud of our silviculture practices that serve as a model for the region,” said Nathan Soboleff, Sealaska natural resources planner, who led the tours.

Students explored two study plots highlighting Sealaska’s land management, both located north of Klawock near Big Salt Lake. Students learned about the role of stream buffers in protection of fish streams and why Sealaska uses thinning and pruning practices.

“Sealaska follows, if not exceeds, the state forest practice act regulations that require a 66 foot buffer on either side of a stream that is located on a unit of land that will be harvested,” said Soboleff. “In most cases, Sealaska exceeds the mandatory 66 feet buffer on either side of a stream. Our management of stream buffers contributes to salmon habitat and water quality.”

Craig High School teacher Cheryl Fecko was surprised to learn that for many students it was their first lesson in forestry management practices. “The students were interested in learning and found the field trips informative,” said Fecko.

Students also viewed Sealaska pre-commercial thinning and basal pruning practices. Pre-commercial thinning reduces the number of trees per acre from 3,000 to 8,000 trees per acre to 225 per acre. This increases productivity of understory plants important to wildlife and shortens the time it takes for trees to be ready for the next harvest.

Basal pruning removes the branches from the lower portion of the tree stem which eliminates knots in the tree while increasing the value of the timber. This practice allows more sunlight to reach the forest floor to benefit understory plants important to wildlife.

Sealaska has invested over $16 million just in its modern silviculture management practices and well over $1 million in resource research. The recent tours for high school students helped to dispel myths and misinformation about the timber industry.

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