Poll: Acres for America

[bull]

Gunny are suggesting that you are willing to create the Forestry Forum Land Trust LLC ??  Hmm

[Gunny]

Bull:

I don't know that an "LLC" is the route to take (perhaps it is) but I do appreciate your inquiry.  Lord knows, folks from the major metro areas have snagged onto thousands of acres in this region (west-central Michigan) with less common interests--hunting being their primary focus. 

If people can form a "Hunt Club" and acquire, through their collective efforts--such quantities of land, perhaps we can do the same for our particular purposes of education/conservation, whatever.

Of course, acquisitions would have to be directed within the states of interest of our members.  It's worth some brainstorming, eh?  We certainly have the skills and experiences already aboard.  There are an awful lot of nice tracts available (some on Land Contract) right up in Jeff B.'s area that might provide those of us in this area a nice spot to roast a pig every now and then.  (We'd like another spot to run our sled dogs, too!) 

Thoughts anybody?

[crtreedude]

Even though this is what I am currently doing (in a way) in Costa Rica, if you go for a Forestry Forum Land Trust, I'll throw some into the kitty too.

[Gunny]

CR:

Thanks so much--though I'd love to see a site your way, too, since I've been dreaming of (kinda)retiring in Costa Rica for decades!

Well, the ball is rolling.  Hard to stop a body in motion.  We'll see what transpires from here.  Johnny Appleseed's got nothing on us!

Best your way.

[crtreedude]

It has been a real adventure here - there are always issues to overcome in life, but there sure are joys too.

I just wrote another story about life here you might enjoy (not meaning to hijack this thread)

http://www.fincaleola.com/traffic_jam_costa_rica_style.htm

If anyone wants to plant trees - just to put them in the ground, let me know, I'll structure something. I do get contacted doing it and do plant trees just to reforest - all I have to do is cover land cost and a little more.

[Buzz-sawyer]

Gunny
I used the word STEWARDSHIP but it was not even close to the context you mention.

I said,"The only way for these types of things to stop occuring is for HUMAN nature to change...and it will not in this life.
I am all for big trees , I like to look at them.........And I like parks and reserves, but I believe we are here to be stewards of the earth who take from  it, with respect
I guess I am just not in agreement with the whole concept of, ANTI greed =making money,
fat cats, corprate is bad socialistic thing....It rings of class envy and scape goating........."
How is taking from the earth with respect , rape and plunder?

[Buzz-sawyer]

TOM
You said,"It has happened so many times in my life that I question the honesty of even "good" deeds offered by the big stores, etc.  It's especially questionable when the terms are "I will do this if you let me do that".  "

Buzz says..........And that got me thinking about the people who lived here in North America before use others moved in..........You sound like a native chief speaking of the countless aggreements and subsequent reversals and duplicity thrust on these folks...........all in the name of progress and civilization (read GREED)....was it legal.well yes only because the lobbiests and special interest groups got the laws reversed and the treaties broken...was it MORAL.............

[Ron Wenrich]

Gunny:

Several ways of doing what you're talking about.  One would be conservation easements.  You don't really have to buy the land, but you could preserve it in its current state.  Resource management is still an option.

The other is to form co-operatives.  Landowners benefit and we can apply our various degrees of expertise. 

[crtreedude]

A conversational easement is definitely a good way to go.  Teaming up is another - creating corridors for wildlife and also preserving mother trees for the future.

Personal opinion, much of the time the reason for raping the land is because we want to extract every bit of profit possible from it - sometimes because we need it to survive, but unfortunately often because we are just plan greedy and want a nicer car or home, or some toy.  Often for large businesses they want to show the best possible return for their share holders.

The truth is that it isn't normally the rich who are doing things to make things better but those who are just thinking about putting a little of their hard earned money to work at something more than just making money. Also, there are many ways to invest in returns that also help at the same time.

I think that we are going to have to see a shift in thinking. Back when resources were free for the taking, grabbing all you could get as quick as you can probably made sense. However, for many of the resources now, it is no longer the case - if those resources are not used in a sustainable manner - I fear our children will curse us. That would be a sad thought.

[Gunny]

Ron, cr:

Thanks for the insights--do you think we might need to create a new thread--I'd hate to lose the interest of the membership by this topic being buried so deeply in this one.

An easement is one route but I'm leaning towards a cooperative effort and, most definitely, allowing for the accumulated expertise of the members to sustain the efforts into the future.  Acquisition of the lands would be relatively simple.  Intelligent utilization of the resources would require a little teamwork, no?  I don't know that forming a non-profit would benefit the group--it would allow for access to grant monies, etc., though.

Certain FF lands could be established across the continent--where membership demographics allowed--and expenses could easily be funded through minimal resource management practices when and where applicable.  I envision these sites as educational bases within which many of the arts/crafts of our membership could be shared and fostered along to the next generations.  I've hand-built my own domes and log cabins, drilled my own wells, grown food organically for decades, hunted, fished, owned and operated our certified tree farm, had a bandsawmill, DH dry kiln, woodwright shoppe, etc.  We have Timber-framing masters in our midst and so many folks of expertise, it's almost mind-boggling. 

Incorporation would, of course, place that supposed veil of "security" upon the operations and that might be another option.  Again, I'm just tossing this idea forward in light of the many reactions to WalMart having announced the aforementioned program.  I don't think it'd be too hard to establish a bank account in the name of the project (each State establishing its own?) and accessing property options in the desired locations.  (One of my articles for BackHome Magazine was, ironically, all about the many options avaliable in acquiring rural properties.)


Must flit to chores around here--this "retirement" thing just never did quite become what I thought it might!  I'll keep an eye on the forum to see how this develops.  Thanks so much again.  2500 heads are far brighter than one.

[bull]

Hey Gunny !!  John Chapman AKA Johnny Appleseed may have something on us.
The City of Leominster MA. is his home Town and the site of his 30 acre home farm has been saved and is now in  a land trust. Also One of his largest under takings Now known as "Sholan Farms" has been placed under a land trust. The total farm over 400 acres has been save by the Friends of Sholan Farm.. Apx 200 acres are in apple production and some though only a few are original trees. The remainder of the property is Woodland. All must be maintained as a working Farm and the woodland must be under active management...     

                                     Bull.

[Gunny]

Bull:

Maybe this legacy is something we can focus on if we attempt any such thing?  Thanks for the insight--our kids all read the John Chapman bio for their school work and we discussed the impact one person can have on the world when there's more than talk applied.  Thanks again...