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Restorative forestry selectively culls weak and dead trees, mimicking  nature’s technique of clearing the forest with storms, wind and other  natural occurrences.  The healthier trees left standing hold not only  the greatest revenue potential, but also the most promise for providing a  beautiful, thriving habitat for wildlife, recreation and overall  environmental health.  Draft-Horse Restorative Forestry protects water  quality from non-point sources of water pollution resulting from  substandard forestry practices, and helps to retain a naturally diverse  selection of tree species in the forest inventory.  One fundamental  aspect of this program is that it allows the rescue of perfectly healthy  horses otherwise destined for slaughter.  Another important aspect is  that it assists rural forest communities to optimize usage of raw forest  materials by allowing access to equipment used in the production of  popular value-added products; such as increasingly marketable essential  oils, botanicals, and phytomedicinals.  It also provides for production  of mulch and highly absorbent pet bedding.  Ultimate viability would be  achieved by the establishment of an International Training Facility, as  there has already been much interest proffered by countries such as  China, New Zealand, Scotland and others.
 

Wildfire Risk Reduction via Draft-Horse Restorative Forestry
Benefits to the VCNP, surrounding communities & the general public:
• worst-first, single-tree selection culls weak and dead trees,  mimicking nature’s technique of clearing the forest with storms, wind,  fire, etc.
• forest is allowed to retain a naturally diverse selection of tree  species in its inventory; enhanced ecosystem health & resiliency  results
• water quality protected from non-point sources of pollution inevitably resulting from conventional forestry
• optimizing raw forest products toward production of highly marketable  essential oils, botanicals, & nutraceuticals assists collaborators  in establishing sound economic foundation
• would allow for the production of a lucrative line of environmental cleaning products featuring various oils, such as pine
• generates public awareness of community/forest interdependence, promotes mutually beneficial relationships between the two
• general consensus of recent public opinion has reflected willingness to pay to watch woodsmen at work
• ultimate program viability would be achieved by the establishment of  an International Training Facility; much interest has been proffered by  countries such as China, Russia, New Zealand, Scotland and others
• community members would be expertly trained at directional tree  felling, draft horse logging, grading, negotiating, marketing/sales,  record keeping
• communities would cultivate sustainable legacies that produce capital  by rewarding forest stewardship skills & protection of the  environment
• locally grown hay and grain are fuel for this program, low start-up  costs enable landowners to participate in "eco-industry" without  incurring high debt
• collaboration with a spray nutraceutical company (Vitamist) would result in economic & health benefits 
 

Social Benefits:
• allows the rescue of perfectly healthy horses otherwise destined for slaughter
• would encourage survival of endangered Suffolk Punch draft breed