The Deep Woods of the Species List Forest

2011-11-19T14:45:00.000-08:00

Wind Farm Bad For Shelburne, MA USA

(click above for letter)

2011

Let native species of plants, animals, fungi and microbes

reoccupy the natural landscape.

Return the forest. Don't build in it and don't burn biomass.

We support #OWS.

2011-10-24T07:03:00.000-07:00

Let Other Species Occupy the Natural Landscape

We support #OWS.

The Species List Forest, Conway, MA USA is a place that is occupied by many native species of plants, animals, fungi and microbes. It wasn't that way until ten years ago when all people, building, animal under human management (AUHM) and trash were removed. In addition, non-native invasive are being removed. Our 84 acres signage located only on our boundaries is for people control. This signage has been very successful in stopping hunting and the harm caused by people. Walking only is permitted however there are no trails.

Reoccupation of acres by other species continues.

Much "conserved" land in New England, USA continues to be controlled by money and misinformed people. Acres are not returned. Big pale green conservancy land trusts continue to use the acres they control for some people-related uses and in the process the lands they own are degraded and the natural world suffers.

Green Inc. land trusts of note advertise that YOUR land will be conserved, but that is not true. In fact, once given by or purchased as a conservation sale acres are then re-sold, exchanged or used for logging, used for gas and minerals, developed for nature trails, used for hunting, added to campuses and dedicated for other cultural uses that degrade the natural landscape.

Native Species Call to You ...

The Natural Landscape Calls to You ...

Don't Convert Acres to Dollars.

Don't hold onto nature for some future family use.

Don't Sell Your Land or Restrictions to a Conservancy.

Give the Land Freely.

Make sure they will return it, not develop it in any way, not sell it, not extract anything from it and not exchange it.

Do You Love it? Yes?

Your First Duty is to Serve the Natural Landscape.

Return the land before you are dead.

I did.

It will probably be the greatest permanent thing that you will ever do.

2011-02-16T09:09:00.000-08:00

Does a green reality lie at the end of our environmental quest?

10 Year Anniversary of the Species List Forest, Conway, MA USA

A Green Reality!

It's true! A green reality lies at the end of our environmental quest

2011-01-06T13:41:00.000-08:00

What Massachusetts Forest Was This?

Spotted on Interstate 91 near the Species List Forest.

This could be from our Massachusetts state forests. Logging state lands is a habit. There is much shame in a handful of people cutting the commons.

2010-12-08T14:11:00.000-08:00

Who Will Say the Natural Landscape Has Rights?

Who Will Defend the Forests?

Foresters Don't and Never Will - Foresters are Businessmen.

Read

UN CBD Fails to Protect Forests from Genetically Engineered Trees

Contact: Anne Petermann, Co-Coordinator, STOP GE Trees Campaign

+49 (0) 160 435 9236 (Bonn mobile good until 09:00 on 1 June)

+1 802 578 0477 (US mobile good as of 17:00 on 1 June)

You Don't Have to Go to Brazil to Defend a Forest

2010-11-04T11:03:00.000-07:00

The Natural Landscape has Rights

(but few are willing to say so).

Sea Shepherd Galapagos: A Major Step Towards the Creation of the First Judiciary on the Rights of Nature in the World, Sea Shepherd News, Wednesday, November 03, 2010.

The Species List Forest agrees.

There must be laws to protect the least among us.

The Species List Forest is proud to protect millions of species of

terrestrial plants, animals, fungi and microbes within our boundaries.

2010-09-25T18:51:00.000-07:00

Return of the Forest vs Frank LLoyd Wright

Species List Forest, Conway, MA USA

How Frank Wright Reduced the Natural Landscape to a Playground for the Rich

Memories of Richard Stafursky, Brattleboro, VT

Unlike all of our eight abutters, we are happy when our open areas are free of human direction and are once again under the control of natural forces and processes. But fifty years previously my father was, in my eyes, competing as champion as worst natural landscape offender. I'll try to explain. As I was growing up in this place in the 1950's and 1960's my father constantly was working on our house. It was an isolated property one quarter mile form the Conway, Buckland, MA town line at the end of the Shelburne Falls Road Conway bus route. If fact, our house was the last house on the mountain road just before you cross the town line. The house was originally a cottage last used by local gin drinkers from Orange, Massachusetts. I remember that cottage then. It was a snug, happy, hot water, cast iron radiator heated home with hay barn/garage. That was to all change by the 1950's.

In addition to keeping a few dairy cows and raising their offspring for the butcher shop Dad was constantly modifying the land with stone work and plantings. My father wanted to "be" Frank LLoyd Wright and every modification to our house and grounds was intended to transform it into a Frank LLoyd Wright knockoff estate. By that I mean he replaced eves with cantilevered overhangs and the wood floor with red concrete. New England storm windows, so effective in winter, were replaced with one-pane picture windows more suited for warmer, Arizona-like climates. The new roof leaked and the replacement picture windows frosted on the inside. I spent many hours helping him scrape paint off these huge, building demolitioned, logo painted, plateglass monsters. I helped him buy redwood siding he used in the room interiors. He even added skylights and picture windows. I think only my mother did more detailing of the natural wood panels than I did. She spent many hours steeped in fumes on a shaky folding ladder as she brushed clear finish on the natural wood and filled finish nail sets with wood putty. When I returned from the Air Forces in 1970 I bought a set of four fire extinguishers ... my fear of a Frank LLoyd Wright-like building fire vulnerability was so great. I made my mother set off one of the extinguishers in the driveway. "Don't try to save them ... they're here to be used" I said.

Every piece of rare, west coast wood that he used made me cringe. Even as a teen I knew the redwood trees needed protection. My father knew this, too, and I told him so, yet he continued to remodel. He only switched to other wood when we needed to save money. He sort of would apologize to me and say "it's not Frank LLoyd Wright, but no one will know the difference." Notice how he said the guys name and not the architectural style.

I could not understand how my father loved the local forest so, yet built so wastefully. The modifications were not intended to last. All the mortise angles were nonstandard and thus it would be difficult for future owners to repair. Whenever I overhear Dad talking about our house he would also criticize local homes as being built by stupid people. My father had been out west and had seen Frank LLoyd Wright estates. That was the only thing in his head.

I know that my dad would have loved the protection I gave to his mountains and forests. If he were alive today and could hear my reasons why I returned all his acres under my control back to the natural landscape he would have listened without a word as we sat in the woods, nodded in agreement, taken a deep breath and said, "the trees are nice" and he really meant it! I don't think he could ever, in his mind, reconcile the cultural trappings of Frank Lloyd Wright's early twentieth century, gaudy, architecture with the need of the natural landscape to be left alone. If he had had the opportunity back then he would have built a Wright waterfall house on top of the brook that now runs unfettered through the Species List Forest. He believed that one should drink in the natural landscape and that by doing so one would thus gain a certain glamor in the eyes of the rich and famous. His desire to be recognized by this ridiculous social class was so powerful that when it never happened he said within days of his death by cancer "burn all my books."

Return of the Forest vs Frank LLoyd Wright? I'll take the millions of years of natural landscape evolution any day.

2010-07-24T06:22:00.000-07:00

The Alley Why has this alley "returned" to nature? Click alley for answer.

Idea taken from The Cove.

(Location is in a town two miles from the Species List Forest)

2010-07-18T06:23:00.000-07:00

Why the Species List Forest Does Not Allow Hunting

(Why People Eat Species Into Extinction)

Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1857) probably never imagined that the world would become crowded, that the forests would be burned so systematically and that humans would eat many species into extinction. It was just that the world seemed too enormous at the time and people were of little issue to it. He also probably could not have conceived of anyone's wanting to return a place to natural landscape controls. What reason could anyone have had in doing this when there was always another and another natural landscape ripe for adventure. I guess what I am saying is that the evolution of the idea of a natural landscape came on gradually in Humboldt's time and it had its high watermark of sorts. However, today the concept goes beyond Humboldt. One cannot think of the natural landscape without dropping the other shoe. One is compelled to finish the sentence. One is compelled to state the obvious ... that all places altered or polluted by human activity can return. Return to what? Return to the sole control of natural forces and processes. They can once again become a part of the natural landscape, or at least a varient of the natural landscape, but the natural landscape nonetheless.Rstafursky (talk) 00:45, 19 February 2010 (UTC)

2010-07-06T05:04:00.000-07:00

Massachusetts Actions Help The Northeastern Forests

Recent Successes of the Anti Biomass Movement

The Stop Spewing Carbon Ballot Campaign announced a major victory today in the fight against biomass incinerators promoted as “clean energy” and as a result will not put its question on the statewide ballot for November 2010.

 “Today, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles issued a letter saying his agency will change our state laws to bring them in line with current science and public policy requiring biomass incinerators to meet strict standards for forest protection, greenhouse gas emissions, and efficiency,” said Meg Sheehan, Chair of the Stop Spewing Carbon Ballot Campaign.

 “This is a groundbreaking development that means an end to commercial biomass electric power plants in Massachusetts. Science confirms that the greenhouse gas emissions of burning forests are worse than coal and there’s no reason to subsidize this form of energy,” Sheehan said.

 Secretary Bowles’ letter says that to meet greenhouse targets the state should change “the incentives we provide biomass energy under the Renewable Portfolio Standard.” The Stop Spewing Carbon Campaign collected over 120,000 signatures from Massachusetts’ voters to end biomass subsidies. Sheehan said, “This sent a clear message to Governor Patrick. Ending renewable energy credits for dirty incinerators was the central goal of our ballot question and we have won.” The state also announced that construction and demolition debris incinerators will not get renewable energy credits, another victory for the Campaign.

 “Our coalition of social justice, public health, environmental, forestry advocates and fiscal watchdogs have won a victory for the citizens of Massachusetts, the nation, and indeed the planet,” Sheehan said. “Citizens have let government officials know they don’t want their taxpayer and ratepayer money spent on these toxic incinerators disguised as 'clean energy.' ”

 “We will continue to work to prevent air pollution impacts from potential smaller biomass projects and for a statewide ban on construction and demolition debris burning. We also intend to pressure the administration to tighten the biomass regulations even further than what was put forth today to prevent all destructive bio-energy schemes and false "solutions" to climate change. We will want to make sure that so called “clean energy” projects don’t pollute the air, the water, and destroy our forests,” said Sheehan.

2010-07-05T07:03:00.000-07:00

WSL (World Species List) Documents

Documents at Registry of Deeds

Franklin County, MA USA

2010-05-23T18:02:00.000-07:00

The Pale of the Natural Landscape

The pale of the natural landscape refers to the natural equilibrium or natural order of a place. The pale of the natural landscape is marked as such by either a human guardian, a donor or the owner of the place. Pale of the natural landscape is derived from the expression beyond the pale which is a phrase referring to unacceptable behavior. See Pale for further information.

Species List Forest, Conway, Massachusetts, USA

NLATS post signs announce the pale of the natural landscape.
For info on NLATS pale signs email rhstafursky@yahoo.com.

May 23, 2010: native pine found within the pale for the natural landscape.

2010-05-04T14:12:00.000-07:00

2010 NLATS rating for all eight abutters

Species List Forest, Conway, MA USA

Abutters do not have to be protected from the Species List Forest.

Species List Forest needs protection from all eight abutters.

Acres (US) are represented by large squares.

Rating was done by simple observation and no environmental consultant was needed.

Do you see where more deep woods protection is needed? If you had to re-establish an endangered species on WSL land, where would you not put it?

2010-04-16T15:53:00.000-07:00

Protection of the US Natural Landscape

President Obama Signs the America's Great Outdoors Memorandum

President Obama uses the term natural landscape several times in this press release.

April 16, 2010, Remarks by The President Obama at America's Great Outdoors Conference, Washington, D.C.

"President Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum launching the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative today, which focuses on promoting community-level efforts to conserve outdoor spaces. As part of the initiative, members of the administration will host regional sessions with groups and individuals across the country to discuss ideas on how to protect America’s natural landscape and form a 21st century strategy conservation agenda."

2010-04-15T11:09:00.000-07:00

Biomass wood chip and pellet burning while the Eastern US Forests Resume Decline, American Institute of Biological Sciences, April 2010.

Nearly all land trusts in Massachusetts, now in the Green Incorporated fold, allow whole trees to be cut to fuel wood chip and wood pellet incinerators. All this while the Eastern US Forests Resume Decline, American Institute of Biological Sciences, April 2010.

These land trust say nothing while, one by one, school administrators as well as hospital directors buy into the wood fueled, district energy sales pitch of the wood chip and wood pellet trade. The technology of burning wood is old. The money incentives to pollute is old, too.

Once built, the cost of decommissioning these small pellet incinerators, ripping out underground pipes and reconverting school and hospitals to true green energy will be the burden on our future generations. They will look back at the mechanically distorted forests and say, "Why did they build those monstrosities? What could they have been thinking? Burn our forests to profit the carbon industry?"

When we clear cut our Great Eastern Forest we pump the exhaust into our local atmosphere. Our forests are being harvested for wood chips and pellets just like our oceans are being emptied for fish meal.

2010-02-11T08:14:00.000-08:00

Don't Panic!

Stay calm and defend the Great Eastern Forest of North America

Speak for the forest

Massachusetts foresters don't

We must

Join together and defend the Massachusetts forest

To: DCR, Department of Conservation and Recreation

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

251 Causeway Street, Suite 600
Boston, MA 02114-2104

NLATS

Natural Landscape Abutter Threat Scale

2010-01-29T05:01:00.000-08:00

Earth Is Indeed The Water Planet

No Crystals On Mars ... Yet!

The natural landscape of the Species List Forest contains average glacial rock and sand and has typical New England bedrock that is well processes by water. The Earth has incredible rock crystal diversity. Mars does not. Liquid water is needed. Next time you visit a natural landscape on Earth keep that in mind.

Read email from NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) regarding Stafursky's discovery.

2010-01-18T07:15:00.000-08:00

Popular movies such as Avatar focuses on the natural landscape

"The case for returning land to the natural landscape has been championed by those who recognize the harm resulting from people’s actions on this planet. Popular movies such as ''Avatar'' focus on the natural landscape. The return of the natural landscape has been opposed by those who wish to groom the natural landscape or simply to demonstrate that the natural landscape has some practical value." (Wikipedia: natural landscape)

Also see TYT and nature.

2009-11-25T08:35:00.000-08:00

Returning the Forest

A conservation plan returns the natural landscape. In this picture you can see that the trees have completely restored the forest canopy. That is the good news.

However, when a farmer has a right-of-way to travel through a place to get to his corn fields and he keeps this way open he knowingly and unknowingly interferes with the natural landscape equilibrium. Thus the deep woods cannot restore the forest floor in the area taken by the road. Note the gravel surface without vegetation or forest litter.

Above the trees; restored.

Below the trees; not restored.

The farm road creates an artificial way used by animal both native and domesticated. Wild dogs and cats use such roads to easily hunt in the deep woods. Human hunters also use farm roads to make illegal forays into conserved areas to kill mammals and birds. Walkers also use these roads.

Places that rate a 6 on the NLATS scale will return to the natural landscape if abandoned for a few decades. Lands that contain such roads are usually rated a 6.

2009-10-23T06:35:00.000-07:00

Biomass Burning is not Carbon Neutral

Biomass Burning is not Clean and Green

Carbon Sequestration Error Exposed by Princeton University

Proper Respect for All Forests

Princeton -- Wins this one

Harvard Forest -- Fails this one

Accounting error undermines climate change laws

Copies of the article may be obtained by e-mailing scipak@aaas.org.

Contact: Tim Searchinger, Princeton University, (202) 465-2074, tsearchi@princeton.edu.

Removing existing forest to feed biomass incinerators is not carbon neutral. Existing forest both tropical rainforests and temperate forests are each degraded by the clear cut.

2009-10-10T06:14:00.000-07:00

Soundscape?

Get Used to this Word

Solitude Becomes Exhibit A in Battle Over National Parks Management

The Natural Sounds Program, NPS, USA

Also lookup natural landscape to see how making new roads into the mountains harms those very mountains.

2009-08-16T19:58:00.000-07:00

Researchers should never, ever imply that humans must strategize for the natural landscape

There has been a new trend in the last several decades; legitimate researchers now say the entire Earth must be groomed. They say that natural processes cannot be trusted to correct the damage caused by humans. They ignore the fact that the natural landscape has done quite well for hundreds of millions of years without human interference and control. A case study, for example, researchers Jackson and Hobbs, Ecological Restoration in the Light of Ecological History seem to be apologizing for nature. They would direct that which needs no direction. We have seen this before. Where? The god of the desert. The world was made for man, they would say.

The correct thing to do is to return as many acres of land as possible back to the control of natural processes. But that would be too simple ... for Jackson and Hobbs. Once we remove our trash, which includes invasive species, and remove the fences and dams which impede the natural movements of water and native species, then we must return those acres. Most people know this. Most people would say "just leave it alone". They understand instinctively that which Jackson and Hobbs don't.

Of course, we must protect those species that have experienced a total loss of their specialized habitat, breeding places and migratory routes. I'm not saying we should ignore emergencies. But, we should never, ever imply that humans must strategize for the natural landscape. After all, the natural landscape is a place where native species are free to move about. In the eastern US there is a great forest. A great broadleaf deciduous forest that is returning since 1850. Conservationists did not return this forest. Neglect did. Farms were abandoned by people, and new energy and transportation options rerouted the flow of human populations. This was not planned yet the natural landscape returned like crazy.

Ecologists want to manage everything. We are not surprised by this. Many ecologists are morphing into landscape designers. Writers like Jackson and Hobbs do not help anyone and certainly not this planet. As we get better science we will get better researchers. Let us hope that day will be soon.

Richard Stafursky, M.S., George Mason University

2009-08-13T06:53:00.000-07:00

Return the Forest

From what?

From forest management!

To what?

The natural landscape

and

manage people!

Let natural processes and

natural controls rule.

How?

Set aside acres for the Earth for walking only with no trails, remove all controls by people and remove all cultural things. That includes inappropriate species such as invasive species and all species under human management. That includes pets, domesticated animals and crops. That includes tree farms and managed forests in those acres. Foresters are not needed when forests are under natural controls.

Sorry, you've had the wrong teachers all these years.

Look to the eastern forest of the US.

In the eastern states of the United States there is a great forest. That forest has been returning to a natural variant of its original state by human neglect and not by any conservation plan. Let it continue on its journey. It will make you proud. The continuous forest canopy will shade out invasive vegetation. Today, it is wondrous to see, but tomorrow it will be spectacular ... filled with native species of all kinds in great slpender. Be part of its journey. Do not burn it, cut it, trample, trash it or construct trails in it.

World Species LIst Forest (WSLF), Conway, MA (Massachusetts, USA)

We are a nonprofit, conservation land trust.

http://wslfconwaymausa.blogspot.com/

Contact Richard Stafursky

(802) 257-9158

2009-05-19T04:50:00.000-07:00

Land Trusts Allow Incinerators To Burn US Forests

Land trust conservation restrictions (CRs) used to stop development on land in the US allow the natural acres to be clearcut, incinerated and turned into single species tree farms.

WHAT?

In the northeast US there have been huge incinerators operating that are fed by our mature private, state and federal forests. Whole trees are taken from state forests, conservation land and parks. The local, regional and national land trusts either say nothing or, in some cases, encourage this "biomass" lie. And it is a lie. Incineration of construction wastes and whole trees has been cunningly renamed biomass.

The WSL returns all acres under its control to the natural landscape. This is the opposite of cutting the forest for waste incinerators. We regret that our 86-acre WSLF is completely surrounded by forests that might be logged for incinerators at any time. Most of this abutting land has "conservation restrictions" which allow the clearcut.

If you want to see protected acres visit our WSLF in Conway, Massachusetts, USA.

If you want to learn about forest incinerators visit Biomass Effects on Forest Cutting and the Myth of Carbon Neutrality.

2009-04-08T04:48:00.000-07:00

More on Grooming New England Forests, USA

The WSLF seems to be near the epicenter of a resurgent attempt to turn NE forests into nothing more than a tree harvest. North of the WSLF, Conway, MA USA, the WSLF abuts the New England Forestry Foundation and south of us there are other lands set aside for the forest industry. Once the forest is set aside for this type of agriculture, there is little one can do. Forest jobs are promised. Minds are set. The University of Massachusetts Extension Forest Conservation ethics teeter on old ways that will only die when this old generation dies.

Forest Impacts Animation

Wednesday, September 9, 2009 4:43:55 PM

From:	Chris Matera View Contact
To:	christoforest@yahoo.com

Hello All,

At the following link is an animation Ellen Moyer, Phd P.E., Gordon Green and myself put together that dramatically illustrates how fast the MA forests would be logged if the biomess plants are built. Please take a look and distribute far and wide.

www.maforests.org/Impacts.htm

Also, at the following link is an updated list of links and media coverage regarding the forest and biomess issues and also a list of some good green groups. There are 4 pages, please feel free to use and distribute as you wish.

www.maforests.org/Links.pdf

Thanks

Chris Massachusetts Forest Watch

Speak up for the trees!
www.maforests.org

----------

We quote the following email:

http://www.valleyadvocate.com/article.cfm?aid=9498
take it easy

Chris [ Chris Matera]

Speak up for the trees!
www.maforests.org

The World Species List Forest has eight abutters and none of our neighbors have any restrictions on cutting trees.

Thanks, Chris.

Dick Srtafursky
WSL

2009-03-31T12:04:00.000-07:00

NLATS
The Natural Landscape Abutter Threat Scale
WSL release 1.0, March 2009

Welcome small property owners!

What do conservationists conserve?

Conservationists return land to the control of natural forces and developers exert controls over the natural landscape. Returning land to the natural landscape is not development and development of any kind is not conservation.

If you are a developer, a landscape architect, an environmental consultant, an owner/developer or any other person developing or planning to develop land or assisting others in developing land, read no further; you may not prepare a rating using this scale. A committee or governance may not prepare a rating using this scale if any of its members are people listed above. Property owners that implement new cultural controls over the natural landscape or expand domiciles or facilities beyond their existing building footprints may not use this scale. Your motivations are suspect and this scale or any tool resembling this scale would not be used in good faith. Individuals who have, in good faith, abandoned an interest in the development of the natural landscape may prepare a rating using this scale. These people are not involved in any development which is intended to or does degrade the natural landscape. Once calculated anyone may apply the consequences.

***

Now, congratulations!

You are the one that will restore acres to the natural landscape or you are the one to announce the threat existing in an abutting property. You may report these findings to whomever you wish.

The natural landscape has often been judged by communities. Communities have never been judged by the natural landscape. This scale corrects this omission.

From a natural landscape perspective there has been, up until now, no way to rate the influences that one acre has on another acre. Historically, the only interest in the abutting property has been fire codes, public safety, public health and zoning regulations. None of these codes are designed to rate the effect of abutting property, using the natural landscape as a standard. In this NLATS calculations the natural landscape is zero (0) and a place totally lacking in natural controls is a ten (10). Regardless of how closely a development complies with civic codes, by definition, it always degrades the natural landscape. For example, a developer who has five lots and builds only on one has degraded the status quo of the natural landscape under his/her control. The development results in less natural landscape. This is development, not conservation, and the NLATS will reveal this truth.

Ecologists often refer to a succession as the return over time of a disturbed place containing plants and animals. This succession results in an established native forest, native wetland or other natural open area. Although natural succession may be interrupted by natural events, such as landslides, washouts and fires, it will continue past these events and a balance will be established once again purely by natural forces. This results in a continuous change totally under the control of natural forces.

This scale explains various levels of a people modified landscape. When people modify landscapes they may do it gradually or quickly. They may do it intentionally or unintentionally. However they do it they prevent the return of natural controls.

Switch sides and judge the other side. Rate each side accordingly. No training or special qualifications are required. Acres, hectares or most any unit of area may be used. Acres are used here.

Natural Landscape Abutter Threat Scale (NLATS)

WSL release 1.0, March 2009

zero (the natural landscape)

These acres are in or have returned to the control of natural forces. There are no current intentional or unintentional human controls.

one (returning)

These are abutting acres that are returning to the natural landscape. Human things and management practices are being removed. Invasives and species under human management are being removed.

two (laissez-faire)

These are abutting acres that have minor, yet intermittent, interruptions by cultural forces.

three (interruptions)

These are abutting acres that have minor, yet intermittent, chronic interruptions by cultural forces.

four (consistent interruptions)

Consistent interruptions. Add to this economic, political and/or social changes in the region that begin to consume neighboring acres.

five (half way point with trails)

These are abutting acres, without road access, which appear to be a natural area, but which remain under some cultural agenda. An example would be roadless preserves where cash crops are cultivated or some minor logging episodes are separated by many years. Walking trails developed for people may appear in these places. Considerable presence of people though not living there.

six (multiple use and abuse)

These are groomed abutting acres with work road access and/or extensive and yearly animal and plant extraction. This best describes forests in the USA managed under the policy of "multiple use." These areas always have some kind of wild animal controls (wildlife controls). These areas areas always have some kind of hydrology controls (surface water redirection) and fire control (fire roads). Clearly not left to natural elements. May have some type of people accommodations for workers (seasonal trail facilities, kiosks, trailers, shacks, etc). Cessation of management would result in return to the natural landscape within a few years.

seven (cultural trend set)

These are groomed abutting acres with road access, extensive soil, vegetation disruption and/or species manipulation (hunting preserves, ranching, or monoculture farming, etc). Occupied facilities or buildings with foundations may appear. Reversal would take decades.

eight (cultural expansion )

This is the addition of some complex buildings (homes, shops, country stores, etc.) or permanent facilities and/or some mining and/or penning of domesticated animals (ranching, etc). Most walled city parks, concrete playgrounds, rinks are in this category. Some groomed subsections are frequently mistaken for the natural landscape. These areas always have some kind of pest controls. If abandoned, reversal would take many centuries. In the USA, subdivisions or suburban expansion with large lots in remote locations are at this level.

nine (no natural landscape)

This is intensive cultural activity (previously listed above), but with physical boundary barriers and no place under the control of natural forces. Examples would be walled self contained subdivisions or compounds and physically isolated factories or mines. Barriers may be ineffective in stopping all negative impact across boundary lines. These areas are never identified as natural landscape. Walls, fences or earthworks give a false sense of preventing the export of harm to surroundings.

ten (the worst of possible worlds)

These are abutting acres with intensive cultural activity without physical boundary barriers protecting abutting natural landscapes, no place under the control of natural forces and having no controls on cultural activities whatsoever. Wildlife territories, geology, natural aquatic and hydraulic and surface water systems and local climate all altered. This is the opposite the scale of zero. Examples would be domiciles with local waste, factories with land, air and water spill over and stock yards or slaughter houses. There is clearly no attempt at containment and harm to surroundings is massive and relentless.

Application of the scale

This scale applies to all countries of the world. Each acre is rated independently. For the sake of this scale an abutting acre is any acre that is within one thousand feet of the acre needing protection or influencing the acre needing protection as if it were within a thousand feet of that acre. Factors that would cause long-range threats might be sharing of water bodies (e. g. upstream events), elevation differences (e. g. cliff or mountain top activities), climatic events (e. g. smog) and cultural reach (e. g. uncontrolled off road vehicles).

Like the natural landscape, it is a simple enough thing to understand when you see it.

Of course a designation on this scale can change quickly. A Natural Landscape Abutter Threat Scale rating could go from a zero threat to a ten over night by a conservation easement change or the exchange or sale of that abutting property.

We are asking that you return your acres to the natural landscape. Failing that, we ask that you not extract or create a cultural use within one thousand feet of boundary lines.

The thousand feet has no basis in law, however, reservoir studies, as well other zoning tools in the USA have often sited a thousand-foot influential zone.

Modeled on the Species List Forest. Contact R. Stafursky, WSL, 155 Belmont Avenue, Brattleboro, VT 05301 USA (802) 257-9158, a nonprofit, conservation organization.

2009-03-24T08:34:00.000-07:00

Landscape Under the Control of Cultural Forces

Pretty view from room at Cypress Lakes Resort in the Hunter Valley (vineyard area) north of Sydney

KJ - Kaye and Jose - Amazing Photos

2009-03-06T06:28:00.000-08:00

The Skin of the Natural Landscape

We can wear the skin of the natural landscape, but, to be honest, if we build on or near the natural landscape we always perpetually harm it. Designers frequently have their new construction superficially resemble the natural landscape that their structures and amenities replace. The predator species consumes its prey and wears it's skin. In this case the pray is the innocent natural landscape. A landscape that is a threat to no one. The question then is who speaks for the natural landscape in close encounters? Well, we must choose which hat to wear. We can't wear two at the same time as some architects, landscapers, environmental consultants and owner/developers would want you to believe. Fifty years ago I chose to wear the hat which will solely speaks for the natural landscape each and every time ... even when push comes to shove.

There are nearly three hundred million people in the USA and perhaps 0.0001 percent of this number (that is 300) act for the natural landscape. This number, certainly, does not include those of the professions listed above.

2009-03-03T09:19:00.000-08:00

How Is The Term Natural Landscape Used?

With the Internet has come the ability to search and retrieve words and phrases as used around the world. A search of common phrases will bring thousands, if not millions, of hits. Less common phrases will have more manageable results. I believe I am lucky to take a keen interest in this term. I can do a Google Alert and thus I can have an almost supernatural ability to zap a comment. Those who misuse the term natural landscape can run but they can't hide (kidding or course).

Here is the first example.

The term natural landscape only appears in one (1) document searchable by the US, Oil Shale and Tar Sands Programmatic EIS Information Center, EIS search engine.

Search result of the above site found, "4 EFFECTS OF OIL SHALE TECHNOLOGIES", Draft: OSTS PEIS, December 2007:

line 112

"Management activities may be seen but must not attract the attention of the casual observer. Any changes must repeat the basic elements of form, line, color, and texture found in the predominant natural landscape features. "

line 123

"Vegetation clearing activities can cause visual impacts by creating contrasts in form, line, color, and texture with existing natural landscapes, depending on site-specific factors, such as existing vegetation."

line 125

"Aboveground pipeline would generally introduce a strong, generally horizontal line into natural landscapes and might introduce significant color contrast as well, depending on surface treatment. Pipeline bridges might be conspicuously visible at some river or canyon crossings."

Bold type added.

Remember, the natural landscape is a place solely under the control of natural forces.

2009-02-27T05:11:00.000-08:00

Nature Centers Must Be Built in Cities and Not in the Natural Landscape

NYC's Cental Park has this problem and now the San Francisco's 1,500 acre former military base, now park, has this problem. Everyone with a heart-wrenching building proposal wants their special needs fulfilled inside areas set aside for historic or natural landscapes. It appears that the Presidio won this round.

"Fisher museum can be built in city if Presidio not approved"

There is no way that a nature center building or a nature trail can be built in the existing natural landscape without harm to that natural landscape. Nature centers are for people and must be built in town. If educational trails are built, all nature trail signs must clearly state that this trail harms the natural landscape to a distance of one thousand feet on either side of the trail. They must also state that the trail was built, not by conservationists, but rather by developers. Why not state in writing what each trail goer knows.

The WSLF has no trails and no nature centers.

Richard Stafursky

2009-01-31T05:49:00.000-08:00

It's done and it might as well be dead?

They say the natural landscape is done and it might as well be dead and our only recourse is to groom the Earth and have a big forest yard sale as in Can’t See the Forest for the Trees, 2008 The University of Chicago Magazine ? I don't think so!

Natural Landscape is ALIVE!

Check out the following more enlightened review of the rainforest, below:

Lovejoy and Laurance, BBVA Foundation award in ecology
Public release date: 30-Jan-2009:

Their work has revealed many unexpected features of habitat fragmentation, such as dramatically increased mortality in forest trees, with far-reaching consequences for the preservation of forest biodiversity and carbon pool dynamics. Insights from this study have significantly influenced conservation science and practice. The awardees are also applauded for their analyses of the impact of global change phenomena on tropical forests, and for developing the crucial conservation policy mechanism for protecting natural landscapes known as 'debt-for-nature swaps'".

Well said!

More said:
New Jungles Prompt a Debate on Rain Forests
Does the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. USA wear one hat or two? We'll find out by certain words and phrases used by Smithsonian scientists.

2009-01-28T17:36:00.000-08:00

Good cause. Well done!

Citizens For Preservation of Rural Living Win - Wildwood Canyon State Park, CA USA Natural Landscape Kept In Perpetuity

An example of a cultural feature (a radio tower) rejected in an area that was set aside for its unique natural features.

See natural landscape.

Comments welcome.

2009-01-27T12:14:00.000-08:00

How Much For A Land Trust Paid Ad?

Or, how much does an established land trusts or umbrella organization pay your group so that they can have their advertising on each and every one of your land trust blog pages. The going rate in western Massachusetts this year seems to be anywhere from $4,845 to $10,000. Pretty good deal ...or not.

In addition to them paying for ads, which is in the euphemistic form of grant money, these established organizations demand that your organization alter its goals and purposes to conform with their agenda. You may say "really, no no no, it is grant money". Well, think about it. Check out the going rates for web and real press advertisements. Note, these organizational ad bylines will run for the rest of your life ...your group's life, that is.

Also, think about how you've modified your operations in order to take their ad money. Lots of rationalization here.

Hold your horses! That can't be right. We're on the same side. Aren't we? Well then, wait till you get grant money for a few years, and ask yourselves "are we the same people as we were when we sat around the kitchen table?"

After all is said and done, these conservation grants are not advertisements, right? They are charitable transfers of money from specific donors, right? These grants don't buy stuff ...they're grants. Am I not right?

Then, why the hoops?

The WSLF has never taken any such ads. We're not saying we never will. We're just saying that there should be zero hoops. And I mean zero.

Dick Stafursky
Brattleboro, VT

P.S.

The Revolution Will Not Be Funded

2009-01-24T04:59:00.000-08:00

Me, You, We, Us Children, Siblings, Spouses!
USA and World
Do It This Generation - Now - Today!

Return Acres To The Natural Landscape
You can survey out your acres from siblings' acres.
I did this and saw the good of it.

The DROP Plan:
Donate acres
(don't sell acres or easements)
Return acres
(to the natural landscape)
Open acres to the Public
Conservationists conserve acres under their personal control.

What if everyone gave their land away? Wow, that would be great!
Inherited land is like found money ...easy to give away. It was not yours to begin with.
Question all the big conservation land trusts.
They sell your donation.
They trade your donation.
They refuse acres unless they can do so.
Your acres are not interesting to them.
They say CR (conservation restrictions, easements) are better than donations ...what? Better for them, not you.

Richard Stafursky
Conway, Massachusetts USA
Brattleboro, VT USA
(802) 257-9158
http://wslfconwaymausa.blogspot.com/

2009-01-19T17:50:00.000-08:00

Tax incentive may encourage donation of land.

A law signed by Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts, USA
January, 2009 in Boston, MA USA

Chapter 509 of the Acts of 2008

Will it help to return land to the natural landscape?

Will land donors be free to select the acres to donate and select the organization to accept these acres?

Will only certain conservation organizations get the go ahead while others are pushed aside?

Will this law be as universal and comprehensive as the existing Massachusetts law protecting all land open to the public from liability and personal injury?

Stay tuned for our analysis ...

Richard Stafursky
World Species List Forest, Conway, MA USA

2009-01-13T10:03:00.000-08:00

In 1982 we visited the Frieberg area in Germany and walked through the countryside. That was many years after I had decided to return any land that I might inherit from my parents. As fortune would have it I did get all but two acres of my family's land and, despite being in debt, I immediately gave the forest away in 2001.

My German Forest, by Michael Stürmer, Welt Online, reminds me of the person I was then.

Thanks, Michael, for the memories.

2009-01-01T08:07:00.000-08:00

This fellow seems to have evolved a little beyond your average marine/wildlife biologist. Check out:

"The Conservation Report" by BUCK DENTON

BIOMIMICRY: Solving engineering problems and inefficiency by observing Nature

Our comment was:

Buck,

When it seems impossible to find the solution to a problem within our cultural landscape of cities and things I have always benefited from devices and strategies in the natural landscape. Billions of years of evolution have resulted in billions of solutions.

Now that we are smart enough to harvest the “ideas” of the natural world I take care that I do not take from the natural landscape more resources than we need… that would be stealing.

Those things and acres that we do not need must be returned to the control of natural forces. The Earth “needs” as many acres of land and sea as it can get to sustain itself.

Harvesting ideas from the natural landscape is preferable to the needless extraction of species and stuff bay[by] an affluent culture.

The WSLF was created under the DROP plan because the DROP plan follows the principles of the natural landscape.

Dick Stafursky
WSLF
Conway, MA
(802) 257-9158

Good luck to Buck on his evolutionary journey.

2008-12-26T08:33:00.000-08:00

2008-12-12T08:52:00.000-08:00

A natural landscape is a place neglected by human culture for a very long time and is solely under control of natural forces.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_landscape

Dick Stafursky
Brattleboro, VT USA

2008-12-11T17:32:00.000-08:00

The Battle Of The Open Arena

Nature centers, trails, parking lots, recreational areas are all open arenas where one intelligent invasive battles dumb yet prolific invasives for the turf that really belongs to others found in the deep woods canopy.

Dick Stafursky
December, 2008

2008-12-02T10:45:00.000-08:00

The Natural Landscape

We did a Google search of "barack obama" "natural landscape" and came up with 4,350 hits.

Most people recognize the natural landscape when they see it. People don't need professors to explain it to them.

The Earth needs as many ordinary acres set aside for itself as it can get. Donate acres, return them to the natural landscape and open them to the public for walking only. How difficult is this to understand?

2008-11-22T06:38:00.000-08:00

Help! Forestry "Helps" The Forest

The New England Forestry Foundation asked The World Species List Forest if a horse trail could be extended through the WSLF. We, of course, declined. Animals under human management have no place in the natural landscape. A few months later I (Richard Stafursky) was invited by the NEFF to attend the opening ceremony of the Lucky Dog Forest, NEFF's new 74-acre gift acquisition just north of the WSLF. It is this forest that contains the headwaters of our WSLF brook (currently drinkable surface water) and it is this place eyed for American style, forestry development. I decided not to participate least there be a misunderstanding, however, I did respond to their letter as follows:

November 21, 2008
Donna Sibley
dsibley@newenglandforestry.org
New England Forestry Foundation
PO Box 1346
Littleton, MA 01460
(978) 952-6856
info@newenglandforestry.org

Donna,

RE: "New Conservation in Conway, MA - The Lucky Dog Forest"

The WSLF (World Species List Forest of Conway, Massachusetts) must be protected from the cultural influence of all abutters. We do not need to be protected from other natural landscapes.

From our telephone conversation, I understand that the 74-acre NEFF forest in Conway, MA will be subject to the NEFF agenda of multiple use. We who strive to protect acres by returning those acres to the control of natural forces interpret multiple use as multiple abuse of the natural landscape. There are two issues that concern us.

First, we would like the NEFF to return these 74 acres to the natural landscape and restore these acres. We do not wish to see the NEFF degrade this area by instituting artificial human controls and random intervention. You have it within your means to protect these acres from species extraction (e. g. hunting and logging) and you can decide not to be an owner/developer (trails, parking lots, etc.). These practices always upset the equilibrium that natural controls establishes. In terms of conservation, restoration and preservation, neglect is a good thing.

These 74 acres probably have not seen logging nor domesticated animals under human control for several decades, and this area in this isolated north end of Conway, Massachusetts, New England, USA is currently well on its way to recovery from human influences following the American Civil War. Your practices will interrupt this healthy trend. The WSLF (your neighbor) acres also has had a history of logging prior to its becoming a jealously protected place. However, unlike the NEFF forest our forest, has a guaranteed future.

The NEFF may not protect its 74 acres abutting our 86 acres for the following reasons:

(1) NEFF compliance with local, regional and national regulations does not mandate the return to the natural landscape. Regulations crafted by governments are, at best, only minimal efforts created by politicians and do not replace the proper guides to return acres to the control of natural forces.

(2) Agendas crafted by institutions (such as NEFF) are self-serving and cannot benefit from self evaluation. Self-evaluation is patently suspect. I'm sure your forester mentors have educated you to believe that forestry benefits the forest. It does not.

(3) I'm certain that the land donated for the NEFF 74-acre forest came with a burden to comply with a childlike demands from the donor to promise that horses under human management would not only be allowed but promoted in this place and that this place be named Lucky Dog Forest, not after some aspect of the forestscape or its history, but rather as a tribute to a non-native species that has the affection of the donor.

Thus, it would seem your hands are tied, but even if they were not, would you return these acres to the natural landscape?

Cultural control can never mimic or improve upon natural control. Developments, minor or major, are always harmful to the natural landscape. I'm sure that they have told you quite convincingly that forestry can be environmentally friendly, however, there is no such thing as environmentally friendly. It is an expression coined by those that wish to excuse themselves for assault, abuse and control and, in many cases, replacement of the natural landscape. Forestry is simply another type of agricultural manipulation of the natural landscape. Forestry always alters species diversity. Foresters selectively remove specific trees and plants and selectively extract specific native, noninvasive mammals, deer, bear, squirrel, raccoon, crows, wild turkey, etc. In short, forestry as practiced in the developed countries grooms the landscape and alters the distribution and evolution of native species as well as providing conduits for humans and other invasive species to assault the deep woods. Speaking of deep woods, forestry also creates open areas by removal of the canopy in forested areas. Canopy removal attract invasive species that compete with people for these random openings or, in some cases, permanent openings. Nature centers, trails, parking lots, recreational areas are all open arenas where one intelligent invasive can battle dumb yet prolific invasives for the turf that really belongs to others found in the deep woods canopy.

We have read a lot about the so-called new conservation. Many use its tenets to rationalize the negative effects of grooming the planet. This so-called new conservation is in fact the abandonment of conservation principles for political reasons. The new conservation advocates "solve" the problem of human activity overnight by redefining the words and the problem. No one is fooled by this. Well, perhaps some people.

Also, the WSLF has to be protected from the a NEFF forest. On our "WSL Abutter Threat Scale" forestry has a rating of five [six]. Anything above zero is of great concern to us.

The WSL Abutter Threat Scale

zero
These are abutting acres that have returned to the control of natural forces.

one
These are abutting acres that are returning to the natural landscape.

two
These are abutting acres that have minor, yet intermittent interruptions by cultural forces.
Usually posting signs will stop it.

three
These are abutting acres that have minor, yet intermittent, chronic interruptions by cultural forces.

four
Add to this economic, political and/or social changes in the region that begin to consume neighboring acres.

five
These are abutting acres, without way access, which appear to be a natural area, but remain under some cultural agenda.
An example would be roadless preserves where marijuana is cultivated or some minor logging episodes separated by many years Also, land survey stakes may appear (USA).

six
These are groomed abutting acres with way access and/or extensive and yearly animal and plant extraction.
Clearly not left to natural elements. This best describes forests in the USA managed under the policy of "Multiple Use".

seven

These are groomed abutting acres with way access and extensive soil disruption and species manipulation (farming, etc).

eight
This is addition of occupied buildings and/or some mining and/or penning of domesticated animals (domiciles, ranching, etc).

nine
This is intensive cultural activity (previously listed above), but with physical boundary barriers and no place under the control of natural forces.
Examples would be walled subdivisions or compounds and physically isolated factories or mines. Barriers may be ineffective in stopping all negative impact across boundary lines.

ten
These are abutting acres with intensive cultural activity without physical boundary barriers protecting abutting natural landscapes, no place under the control of natural forces and having no controls on cultural activities whatsoever.
This is the opposite the scale of zero. Examples would be domiciles with septic systems, factories without [with] land, air and water spill over and stock yards or slaughter houses.

This scale applies to all countries of the world. Each acre is rated independently. For the sake of this scale, abutting acres are any acre that is within one thousand feet of the acre needing protection or influencing the acre needing protection as if they were within a thousand feet of that acre. Such factors that would cause long-range threats might be sharing of water bodies (e. g. upstream events), elevation differences (e. g. cliff or mountain top activities), climatic events (e. g. smog) and cultural reach (e. g. uncontrolled off road vehicles).

We will provide a more detailed explanation of the reasons for this scale in the future, however, like the natural landscape, it is a simple enough thing to understand when you see it.

Of course a designation on this scale can change quickly. A WSL Abutter Threat Scale rating could go from a zero threat to a ten over night by a conservation easement change or the exchange of one property for that abutting property. And it is conceivable that all CR could be wiped out by an act of a conservative US legislature or a foundation could change its bylaws by board vote. It has happened in Massachusetts within the past few years.

We are asking that you return your acres to the natural landscape. Failing that, we ask that you not extract or create developments (trails, etc.) within one thousand feet of our boundary line. We will do the same for your boundary line.

The thousand feet has no basis in law, however, reservoir studies, as well other zoning tools have often sited a thousand-foot zone. The WSL Abutter Threat Scales uses this zone. We recognize that no distance can ever be justified and that this distance is ball park, however, it is an agreeable distance of cultural influence. This distance is not a buffer zone, but rather it is a description of land extant there. Neighbors are insulted by referring to them as a mere buffer zones. Currently the NEFF 74-acre forest has an Abutter Threat Scale of 3, but soon to be 6.

The WSL will respect your forest as if it is our forest. No matter how insignificant, if any negatives are bleeding over onto your forest, please notify us immediately. However, we don't anticipate any. Yet, unless the NEFF goes through a Renaissance and an Enlightenment, the WSL anticipates a significant increase of disturbances that cross our boundary line (intimidation of our native species by noise, odors, poor quality air, vibrations, wind blown debris; pollution of our brook (currently pure drinkable water) and our springs by people, vehicles and animals under human management; by your programs of native species control, and; invasive seed distribution events and constant transport and arbitrary native species explosions caused by forestry practices.

Sincerely,

Richard Stafursky
Pres., WSL
http://wslfconwaymausa.blogspot.com/
(802) 257-9158
155 Belmont Ave.
Brattleboro, VT 05301

cc:
NEFF, neff@neforestry.org
Si Balch, sbalch@newenglandforestry.org
Penny Flynn, pflynn@newenglandforestry.org
Scott Maslansky, smaslansky@newenglandforestry.org
Annette Ermin, aermini@newenglandforestry.org
Lisa Spalding, lspalding@newenglandforestry.org
Chris Pryor, cpryor@newenglandforestry.org
Maria Garcia, mgarcia@newenglandforestry.org
Lynn Lyford, llyford@newenglandforestry.org
Edward DeVenne, edevenne@newenglandforestry.org
Whit Beals, wbeals@newenglandforestry.org
Johannes von Trapp, jvt@trappfamily.com
Richard B. Kennelly, Jr., rkennelly@clf.org

2008-10-31T10:25:00.001-07:00

WSLF DROP in the forest Fall (VIDEO) 2008

This reminds me of Silent Running (1971)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-evrxXEfAzo

2008-10-31T06:53:00.000-07:00

Great review of the problem of the commons. See:

Shelton Conservation Commission

It may take technology to get people to respect property set aside for the natural landscape or related purposes.

2008-10-14T05:56:00.000-07:00

There is a reason why the WSL does not buy land or interest in land from individuals. We do not pay people to stop beating up acres under their control. It is sort to like paying a spouse not to beat up the other spouse. Americans, especially, want to be paid for doing the right environmental thing. Money is not an adult motivation. Possibly a incentive for children. Take a look at a UK attempt, below.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7669215.stm

2008-09-25T11:59:00.000-07:00

The World Species List Forest
Conway, MA (Massachusetts) USA

Jealously Protected Since 2001
Returning All Acres To The Natural Landscape

MapQuest Image of WSLF

Note the Deerfield river, black in color at top right corner. Active agricultural land above is not part of the WSLF.

In this map please note that the WSLF is in the center of the image. It is on both sides (left and right) of the town road in the center of the map. All building sites of any kind are not part of the WSLF. Other than forest canopy the only other identifiable feature that is part of the WSLF is the group of three small, overgrown pastures on the right.

The WSLF has three miles of boundary lines and eight abutters. All abutting landowners are different and each has a negative effect on our forest. We will do our best to protect this place.

Richard Stafursky
Donor Of The WSLF

2008-08-24T04:45:00.000-07:00

Flag Mountain, Conway, MA

Kids,

You've learned about the insidious destruction of the rainforest, but have you thought about the current destruction of natural features in the northern forests? No difference? Here is an example of the beginning of a second home subdivision less than three miles from the World Species List Forest in Conway, Massachusetts, USA. What is similar to rainforest destruction in Amazonia? What is different? Who is responsible for these new roads in this biologically isolated region of the natural landscape? And why are they doing this?

Flag Mountain, 2009

Hint: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/08/16/eamillionaires116.xml

The best response will get recognition and credit from WSL. Sorry, this challenge is only open to kids or students.

Dick Stafursky
Pres., WSL
(802) 257 9158

2008-05-22T11:47:00.000-07:00

Friends,

Not everyone wants to preserve the wonderful natural features of the WSLF area. From the top of the WSLF a ridge can be seen. This ridge may soon contain houses that overlook the WSLF and the other isolated landscapes. Those that live in these houses are destroying the very same natural features that they come there for.

I wrote the following letter to one such property owner on the ridge not far from the WSLF.

Dick Stafursky

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Re: Issuance of Water Quality Certification for Transmittal Number W141070, Flagg Mountain Drive, Conway
ViewTuesday, September 11, 2007 10:33:02 AM
To:"Foulis, David (DEP)" ; Nathaniel Stevens ; Tom Miner ; P Jeswald ; Wesley Rowe
Cc:Greg McGregor ; Mark Darnold ; chris@berkshiredesign.com; Tony (DEP) Zaharias ; "Adams, Karen K NAE"

Dear Mr. Foulis;

To all parties associated with the Rowe/Flag(g) Mountain Drive and subdivision pan,

Aside from the WSL none of the parties involved (the army, attorneys, environmental consultant, landscape architect and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts) have expressed any intention of saving the natural landscape of these remote, north Conway mountains. The state permits approved to date do not protect this natural place and little satisfaction should accompany the permits granted by administrators. Simply, these permits define where the destruction of the natural landscape will not occur and where the destruction most certainly will occur.

We ask the Rowes again to donate all of their open land to the natural landscape and be a party to conservation, preservation and restoration rather than a party simply to increasing their estate holdings.

I personally have donated in fee and without compensation all of my land in Conway (WSLF, 86 acres) to the natural landscape and I have seen the good of it.

If you build you subdivision the WSLF will have a subdivision next door while your subdivision will have our 86 acres of natural landscape nearby. As envisioned by Mr. Rowe, it is clear to the WSL that Flag mountain natural landscape will be degraded and the World Species List Forest will suffer by the reduced natural elements and the increase of cultural features in this currently isolated place.

Subdivisions are usually named after the natural features that they destroy. Please reconsider your plans, bite the bullet so-to-speak and be a party to preserving these mountains.

The World Species List - Natural Features Registry Institute (WSL) hereby dissolves it’s association with the state as a party in this endeavor (Issuance of Water Quality Certification for Transmittal Number W141070, Flagg Mountain Drive, Conway, Massachusetts).

Sincerely,

Richard Stafursky
Pres., World Species List - Natural Features Registry Institute

cc:

Commonwealth Of Massachusetts
Executive Office Of Energy & Environmental Affairs
Department Of Environmental Protection
Western Regional Office
436 Dwight Street
Springfield, MA 01103

Re:

Water Quality Certification
Application for: BRP WW
Minor Fill And Excavation Project
Flagg Mountain Drive Subdivision
238 Warger Road
Conway, MA
[DEP Wetlands File Number 138-84, #W141070]

United States Department of the Army
New England District, Corps of Engineers
Regulatory Division
696 Virginia Road
Concord, MA 01742-2751
Attention: Karen K. Adams

Nathaniel Stevens, Esq.
McGregor & Associates
15 Court Square-Suite 500
Boston, MA 02108

Chris Wall, Landscape Architect
The Berkshire Design Group, Inc.
4 Allen Place
Northampton,M 01060

Wesley B. Rowe

Flagg Mountain, LLC
Post Office Box 156
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
[end]
-------------------------
P.S.

It is difficult to understand how subdivision houses designed by architects and build in the natural landscape of Conway, Massachusetts can have the "... the best in todays green technology and design ...",OLX Mobil when houses replace the natural landscape of this isolated and forested area. The "best" by developers' own standard? Replacement of a natural landscape by a new building footprints is very bad for the natural features there on that mountain ridge and for the surrounding area. On the Natural Landscape Abutter Threat Scale (NLATS) of zero (natural landscape) to ten (opposite the natural landscape) the acres of this subdivision will rank between five and eight. Native species habitats will be disrupted, the geology and hydrology altered and the forest forever influenced by cultural things brought into this place.

Near by to the north, the WSLF will have to struggle to keep its NSLAT rating of zero. This is due of the excesses of the owner/developer and those that help him build this subdivision. We once again ask Mr. Rowe to stop the destruction of the natural landscape by building on Flagg mountain [Flag mountain]. Join with us in protecting the natural features of Conway, Massachusetts. The construction can be reversed. It is not too late.

Richard Stafursky

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Black & Green Alien From Planet Vega: Part 2 or How All Of The Sudden It Became So Easy To Be A Vegetarian

2008-05-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

Black & Green Alien From Planet Vega: Part 2 or How All Of The Sudden It Became So Easy To Be A Vegetarian

2007-03-03T04:30:00.000-08:00

I found this quote wonderful.

One cannot fix one's eyes on the commonest natural production without finding food for a rambling fancy.
Jane Austen, Mansfield Park
English novelist (1775 - 1817)
I also found that the Europeans think more about their landscape than Americans do.

The European Landscape Convention

Dick

2006-12-02T22:36:00.000-08:00

I'm sixty-one now, but in 1959 when I was fourteen and about to enter Frontier Regional High School, I saw a chart of the four food groups (it was called the seven groups and is now called the food pyramid) and noticed there was a bean in the "meat" group. I told my friend Bob "if we can eat the bean instead of the meat then why are we killing all these animals?” That was forty-seven years ago. Ethical vegetarians don't backslide and I've been one ever since. You will find that ninety-five percent of vegetarians believe that their body is their temple. If you don’t believe me, just browse the notices posted at the Putney or Green Fields coops and see for yourself. But do vegetarians care about wild and domesticated animals? What about the natural features themselves? Do they take action to restore the natural landscape when specific acres are under their control? I regret they do not.

In 2001 I gave away all the land I grew up on for conservation, preservation and restoration of the ecology and geology. As far as I know, I am the only person who has given away all of his/her inherited land while still alive in order to watch over it, see that it returns to the natural landscape and open it to the public. A land trust now owns these eighty-six wild acres of forested land. I now help watch over this World Species List Forest (WSLF), making the drive from Brattleboro, Vermont to Conway, Massachusetts a couple of times a month.

Returning the land has required getting rid of all cultural features, litter and invasive plants brought in by people over the years. All barbed and electrical fence wire has been removed. Any way you look at it, its only purpose was to confine animals under human management. The place is free to the public for walking, but not for hunting or harming of plants, wildlife and fungi.

I talked to a bow hunter just prior to protection and dedication of the place and he said that people would respect the signs. With few exceptions they have. Hunting is sort of like thoughtless littering. It used to be common, but not so common anymore. Oh, by the way, the dedication of the WSLF was quit brief. No one returned the rsvp so we just drove by the property, rolled down the car window and I said "I now declare the WSL Forest of 2001, open"!

Generations must come and go many times before people become the deserving species on this planet. And hundreds, if not thousands, of years from now, when children no longer learn such killing from their brothers or dads, people may pass by the place I preserved and think it not strange at all.

I hope those people who want to become more than what their families have made them will contact me at (802) 257-9158 or at rhstafursky@yahoo.com.
Dick Stafursky

2006-11-02T16:02:00.000-08:00

The WSLF in Conway, MA, USA

Strangers own the little house next to the WSLF. The little house is not nor has it ever been part of the WSLF. Stafursky's siblings owned the house and Stafursky got nothing from it's sale.

2006-09-25T05:34:00.000-07:00

WSL Web Page Started In 1994 Now Being Revised
(Note that some sublinks may not work)

WSL Pages 1994 to 1998

WSL Paages 1999 to 2004

Mini Internship

In the USA, students in the nearby states such as NH, MA, VT who are interested in a mini-internship please contact us soon by phone at (802) 257-9158 or email.

IRS Annual Report

For 501(c)(3) 990PF info
call (802) 257-9158,

2006-02-07T09:35:00.000-08:00

CONSBIO archives relating to the World Species List Forest "Discussion".

CONSBIO archives relating to the World Species List Forest "Experience".

2006-02-03T06:41:00.000-08:00

The WSLF in Conway, MA, USA

There are no foot trails, vehicle access or parking in the WSLF. Park safely on the sholder of the town road.

Below the town road do not walk down the driveway and do not return by way of the driveway leading to a private home. Do not enter the driveway with the mail box. Do not go on private property. Find the old right of way that is a straight farm road that has an almost north-sourth alignment shown on the map here.

Above the town road it is best to simply follow the creek up the mountain and stay between the stone walls on the WSLF perimeter.

MASSGIS Openspace In Perpetuity
WSLF

2006-02-03T06:15:00.000-08:00

Resident Agents

The WSL currently has resident agents in the USA in Delaware, Massachusetts, and Vermont. Resident agents are needed in all other places. One need not be an environmental scientist, biologist, botanist or ecologist. In fact, it is best to have a background in some other discipline such as the humanities, art, physics, mathematics, education or in multi-disciplines. Most biologists are not conservationists, preservationists or restorationists. I know. I went to university with them.

You may have wondered why no one watches over the natural landscape (for the sake of the natural landscape) and you may have wondered why there is no money to pay someone like that. The answer is that there is lots and lots of money for people who rip off or work with others who rip off the natural landscape. No one pays people on the other side. The natural landscape can't pay you.

2006-01-31T06:28:00.000-08:00

In 1955 these kids stand in front of the forest (to the right in far background) that 46 year later in 2001 becomes the World Species List Forest (WSLF), Conway, Massachusetts, USA.

Today, the WSLF extends to 86 acres. The forest receives the best protection of all protected lands in Massachusetts.

2006-01-30T11:49:00.000-08:00

World Species List Forest forest edge.
Invasives are abundant and in great variety in foreground. As forest canopy returns.

2006-01-29T07:02:00.000-08:00

The New York Times wrote this a few years after our start on the Web in 1994.
The Noah's Ark of Cyberspace

2006-01-23T06:02:00.000-08:00

DROP LAND
(D)donate land
(R)return to the
natural landscape
(O)open to the
(P)public for walking only

Conway, Massachusetts, USA
A forest owned by the WSL
and
jealously
protected.

A 501(c)(3), nonprofit, conservation organization.
Phone:
(802) 257-9158

2006-01-23T05:44:00.000-08:00

World Species List Forest

Mr. Stafursky is the only one who has ever returned (by simple land donation in 2001) all of his inheritance to the control of the natural landscape and did so while he is still alive to help watch over his donation.

Except for our signs and stone walls all barbed wire and debris has been removed. We are removing the effects of the cultural landscape. There are no trails, no extraction of plants, animals or fungi and no harmful activities allowed. You are welcome to roam these forests and open areas.

This land was cleared by the time of our Civil War. When the people left to go west entire farms were abandoned. There are three acres near the road that are abandoned pastures and we will be transplanting native trees there.

The forest is about three quarter mile in length stretching from a few feet of the Deerfield River to the top of the mountain. The land is divided in the middle by the Shelburne Falls Road. It is situated about one quarter mile on the Conway side of the Buckland/Conway town line.