Forest Inventory

Stands are delineated on aerial photos, then field visits are made to the stands, to determine volume, condition, and treatment opportunities. Prescriptions are written to provide direction for forest management treatment.

Woodland Management

The woodland management section was initiated to manage 4.8 million acres of woodland tree species such as piñon, juniper, and oak on the Navajo Nation.

Woodland objectives are met by establishing regulations and developing treatment prescriptions for specific areas. Administration includes daily assignments and instructions, meeting with staff when needed, maintaining updates, and communicating with front office staff. Due to immense size of the woodland acreage (4.8 million acres) management activities are planned by prioritizing projects. These products are then provided to local people through firewood sales. Species conversion treatments and hazardous tree removal are also conducted by this section.

Pole Marking

Pole marking season begins May 1st, and will last until the first snow. Permits will expire December 31st. Marking is scheduled through appointment only, at the Navajo Forestry Department. Stands for pole marking are selected from forest inventory. Poles selected for removal are based off general forest principles of leaving the best trees for future seed trees. All harvesting is done by the permittee, whom must possess the permit during all phases of harvesting. For people that do not possess the means to harvest, the Navajo Forestry Department does harvest some poles, but at retail rate and delivery cost.

Thinning

Before a tree are thinned to lower densities. Areas are selected, boundaries are marked, inventoried plots are established, treatment prescription is developed. Biological and cultural surveys are completed. A NEPA decision is issues. Thinning is a preventative measure to reduce risk of catastrophic wildland fire.