Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson is known for its trees. There are a lot of them spread out across 1,000 acres of diverse terrain and habitat. Some big, some small, but all of them are valuable by one measure or another. At least that’s how HVNC’s co-founder Tracy Moskovitz sees them.

“At HVNC we encourage visitors to imagine all the reasons we value forests, trees, and wood products,” Moskovitz said. At HVNC the mission of sustainable forestry is inseparable from the missions of education and outdoor recreation. Each year a small crew of skilled loggers and volunteers manages about fifteen acres of forest. The emphasis is on repairing historical damage, improving wildlife habitat, improving water quality, and on creating durable trails that provide access to visitors.  

This approach to forest management doesn’t necessarily yield big income. “We have to be creative and re-define the way we use our wood products,” HVNC Director Andy McEvoy said.

One of the ways HVNC realizes some monetary value from their woods is by building unique, creative outdoor furniture like picnic tables and benches. Each spring, with the help of several volunteers, HVNC uses “low grade white pine” (so deemed by regional wood markets) to create durable, attractive furniture. “The wood is certified sustainable by the Forest Stewardship Council, and is a direct result of measures taken to improve soil, water, and forest quality. It might not be worth much to a mill, but we can think of a million ways to use it,” Moskovitz said.

It has also proven to be a great way to get volunteers involved. Volunteers are involved in every step of the process from harvesting trees to the final sanding. The tables are for sale through the HVNC website, www.hvnc.org/tables-and-benches, and will be available at HVNC’s annual Pancake Breakfast on June 1 at the Alna Store in Alna.