Future Management

The Goal Statement of the LFLRP is, "To manage Limerick Forest on a sustainable basis for a wide variety of goods and services".  The LFLRP provides five basic objectives to achieve the goal.

1. Ensure that Limerick Forest continues to provide a source of economic activity for local people.
2. Manage Limerick Forest effectively in order to maximize benefits to the United Counties of Leeds & Grenville.
3. Provide a wide range of quality recreational opportunities in a safe environment.
4. Protect the ecological features and values of Limerick Forest.
5. Provide outdoor educational opportunities and foster a strong understanding of sustainable resource management.

The FMP recognizes those objectives and states that

".... the continued development and implementation of viable and sustainable forestry operations will be based on the following forest management goal ....To enhance the economic and social welfare of the residents of the Counties through the improvement, sustainable use, development and protection of Limerick Forest's timber, wildlife, non-timber and recreational resources ..."

Towards that end, the FMP has set the following "Timber Management" objectives:

1. To manage the forest ecosystems of Limerick Forest on the basis of sustained yield and in a manner consistent with sound environmental practices.
2. To manage the natural resources of Limerick Forest for the benefit of the people of the UCLG with due consideration of all forest users and resource values.
3. To conserve and enhance biological diversity of Limerick Forest.
4. To ensure no loss of threatened, endangered, rare or vulnerable species habitat (plant or wildlife) as a result of forest management activities.
5. To ensure forest management interventions minimize adverse effects on soils, water, vegetation fish and wildlife and other identified values.
6. To promote the growth of high quality timber products through the application of timely and appropriate silvicultural practices.
7. To control damaging agents such as fire, insects and disease. 

Plantation Management

The current lack of demand for pulp quality wood makes it difficult to justify pre-commercial thinning in the relatively young hardwood and mixed wood stands of Limerick Forest. Consequently, present forest cover and current market trends dictate that “traditional” forest operations in Limerick are focused on plantation management, with an emphasis on red pine and to a lesser degree, white spruce and white pine. As per the FMP, plantation management will be based on the intensive management of Site Class 1 conifer plantations. Conversion of plantations growing on less productive sites to natural stands will be encouraged via under-planting and/or selective thinning to promote artificial regeneration.