Forest Resource Center

Free resources for foresters and landowners. Start here and take steps to improve forest habitat for birds, other wildlife, recreation, and more.

Cooper's Hawk. Photo: Charles Sperrazza/Audubon Photography Awards

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Our northeast forests are green, but they need sustainable stewardship to truly benefit birds, wildlife, and the people that depend on them. Changes in land use, coupled with the suppression of many natural disturbance events, have created forests that are relatively mature and similar in age. Creating and maintaining healthy, diverse forest habitat today calls for human intervention.

Proper forest management can improve habitat conditions for birds by restoring a more diversified balance among the forest's age classes while creating other desirable habitat characteristics. Healthy, actively managed forests help people too, by providing critical public health benefits in the form of climate mitigation and watershed protection. 

Forest owners actively managing land within a Priority Forest Area (see map), we want to connect with you! Click here to fill out a brief questionnaire. Our forest staff will do our best to get back to you in 2-3 weeks.

Managing Forests for Birds: A Landowner's Guide
Forest Resources

Managing Forests for Birds: A Landowner's Guide

Download this new guide, full of information about the habitat needs of forest birds plus next steps for landowners to follow when interested in forest habitat management.

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Managing Forests for Birds: a Forester's Guide
Forest Resources

Managing Forests for Birds: a Forester's Guide

This guide serves as a resource for foresters and other land managers to integrate habitat components into forest management planning.

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Forest Fact Sheet
Forest Resources

Forest Fact Sheet

Quick facts about healthy forest habitat and why it's essential. Click here to download and print!

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The Basics: Forest Management for Birds
Healthy Forests

The Basics: Forest Management for Birds

Did you know? Forest habitats support more bird species than other habitat types.

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Why You Should Plan Your Harvest for Winter
Healthy Forests

Why You Should Plan Your Harvest for Winter

Forest management is easier, safer, and better for birds in the non-breeding season.

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Managing Habitat for Shrubland and Young Forest Birds
Working Lands

Shrubland & Young Forest Habitat Management

Habitat management on private lands play an integral role in supporting at-risk species.

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Top 10 New York Forest Birds
Forest Resources

Top 10 New York Forest Birds

Without picking favorites, here are some of the birds that depend on New York's forests for feeding, nesting, and raising young.

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DIY Forest Management Projects to Try In Winter
Healthy Forests

DIY Forest Management Projects to Try In Winter

Winter is a particularly great time to try these management activities, since it’s outside the nesting season.

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WATCH | An Inside Look: Healthy Forests

Get Involved

Public Workshops and Programs

Attend free programs led by Audubon and partners to learn best management practices for birds.