Herman Stewardship
1,149 acre forest health and fire risk reduction stewardship project in partnership with the United States Forest Service, protecting residential communities and critical municipal water sources surrounding Woodland Park, Colorado.
About The Project
The United States Forest Service contracted VM West to perform 1,149 acres of timber treatment and removal at the periphery of Woodland Park, Colorado, thinning previously untreated, continuous canopy old-growth trees. This treatment successfully reduces the extreme fire danger for hundreds of residents by creating a healthy, sustainable forest mosaic. Secondarily, the treatment will reduce the severity of any fire activity, helping to eliminate intense fire behavior and the abundant soil and debris run-off that follows such events, wreaking havoc on a critical municipal reservoir water source located downslope of the project.
Treatment occurred mechanically, employing whole-tree and cut-to-length logging practices on steep knife ridge tops and rocky drainages. VM crews utilized a mix of tracked equipment and tethered practices to safely operate across the high-angle, rocky terrain conducted over challenging winter month conditions. All removed timber was fully utilized, either being taken to mills for processing into building materials or sold to private citizens for firewood use.
Woodland Park, Colorado
Whole Tree Logging Equipment, Cut-To-Length Ponsse Equipment, Mastication, Hand Crew Clearing, Tethered Operations
1,149 Acres
Overview
This project showcases VM West’s dedication to delivering high-quality forest management solutions while maintaining stringent safety and sustainability standards, reinforcing our status as a trusted partner in the industry.
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