Protecting Threatened Species: Rayonier's Sustainable Forest Management Approach
Among the diverse array of flora and fauna inhabiting Rayonier’s forests, several species are categorized as threatened or endangered, prompting our proactive conservation efforts. Our foresters and contractors undergo specialized training to identify and safeguard these protected species and their habitats. Utilizing a combination of mapping tools, databases, and on-ground knowledge, we pinpoint areas requiring targeted conservation measures. Additionally, we engage in wider industry and conservation endeavors, such as population surveys and collaborative initiatives.
In the United States, we leverage state natural heritage programs, NatureServe data, regular biodiversity assessments, and field observations by our foresters to detect potential occurrences of threatened and endangered species. In New Zealand, our Environmental Management System (EMS) database records sightings of Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species (RTES), informing adjustments to forest management plans. Moreover, designated areas like Significant Ecological Areas (SEAs) or High Conservation Value Forests (HCVFs) necessitate specialized protocols for preservation. Through these tools, we've identified that roughly half of our forests could serve as habitat for threatened and endangered species.
Crucially, our forest management practices are designed to mitigate potential harm to the life cycles or habitats of these species. Pre-activity surveys are conducted to identify species presence, buffer zones are left around riparian and natural habitats, and harvest activities are timed to minimize disruption during critical periods. For nomadic species that lack fixed habitat boundaries, such as some threatened and endangered species, we adapt our practices accordingly. This may involve manual planting instead of machinery, or adjusting activity timing to align with their movement cycles.
In the United States, we leverage state natural heritage programs, NatureServe data, regular biodiversity assessments, and field observations by our foresters to detect potential occurrences of threatened and endangered species. In New Zealand, our Environmental Management System (EMS) database records sightings of Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species (RTES), informing adjustments to forest management plans. Moreover, designated areas like Significant Ecological Areas (SEAs) or High Conservation Value Forests (HCVFs) necessitate specialized protocols for preservation. Through these tools, we've identified that roughly half of our forests could serve as habitat for threatened and endangered species.
Crucially, our forest management practices are designed to mitigate potential harm to the life cycles or habitats of these species. Pre-activity surveys are conducted to identify species presence, buffer zones are left around riparian and natural habitats, and harvest activities are timed to minimize disruption during critical periods. For nomadic species that lack fixed habitat boundaries, such as some threatened and endangered species, we adapt our practices accordingly. This may involve manual planting instead of machinery, or adjusting activity timing to align with their movement cycles.
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