Project: Big Pine Partnership
Location: Western New York (adjacent to state game lands)
Property Size: 200 acres
Challenge: Ensure the health and vitality of a multi-generational forested property while generating income to offset expenses and reinvest for long-term sustainability
The Property
It’s the kind of place you daydream about on tough workdays or when there’s a sudden reminder that life is short and family is irreplaceable. A place where you can hang a hammock, gather around the firepit, introduce your kids to the great outdoors, or read through a 30-year-old guest logbook where your grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and all the grandkids captured their favorite cabin memories. You call yourself lucky when you have this kind of place, and your first thought is how to preserve it for generations to come.
A 30+ Year Partnership Rooted in Stewardship
For more than three decades, FORECON has worked with a client in Southern Chautauqua County, New York to manage and help protect a unique family property that serves as both a working forest and a cherished retreat. From multiple timber sales (1992, 2012, 2026) to appraisal services and strategic long-term planning, this relationship reflects a shared commitment to sustainable forestry and generational legacy.
With its cabins, pond, and gathering spaces, the property has hosted decades of family events, especially during hunting season. Preserving its ecological health, wildlife, and property value has always been central to management decisions. And as the property has been passed down through generations, FORECON has served as a trusted partner during estate planning and owner transitions.
“We have a lot of trails and they’ll be used for skids. I was worried about water run-off to the pond that sits at the bottom of the property. Rick said part of the contract is following best water management use practices. They’ll use culverts if needed. So it’s not just the forested area but the pond side of the ecology too. Working with Rick and FORECON…any question I’ve had has been answered.”
- Aaron Taylor, Managing Partner, Big Pine
The Challenge: Regenerating a Complex Forest
FORECON began working with the family after decades of mixed land use, including grazing and uneven harvesting. This mixed use had created a patchwork of forest conditions, offering ecological value on one hand but introducing significant challenges such as:
- Dense understory (ferns and beech) blocking sunlight
- Limited natural tree regeneration
- Aging stands requiring renewal
- Young stands needing guidance to reach full potential
At the same time, the family had clear priorities:
- Maintain strong oak production for wildlife and hunting
- Improve forest health across all stands
- Generate periodic income without compromising long-term sustainability
Without intervention, the forest’s long-term productivity and habitat quality would have been at significant risk.
The Solution: Adaptive Forestry in Action
From the start, FORECON implemented a tailored, stand-by-stand approach that evolved across the landscape:
- Regeneration harvesting to establish the next forest generation
- Thinning of young stands to accelerate growth
- Rehabilitation of degraded areas to restore productivity
To address the critical understory problem, the landowners made a key decision: Reinvest a portion of timber sale revenue back into the property for targeted herbicide treatments to reduce competition and promote successful regeneration. This work supported the landowners’ long-term vision of investing for forests that would mature over the subsequent 70 – 80 years.
“The project changed acre to acre. You’d do one thing and walk a hundred yards and do something entirely different. That made it unique. It was because of how the property was used historically. Some areas were cut harder, while other areas were impacted by past livestock grazing. It was a mosaic of different things and we had to take a highly customized approach.”
- Rick Constantino, ACF, Director of Operations, FORECON
Maximizing Value Through Market Expertise
FORECON managed a competitive timber sale process for the family that would deliver strong financial returns:
- Distribution of a prospectus to 75–100 qualified buyers
- Competitive bidding to secure the highest value
- Flexible harvest timelines aligned with market and site conditions
- Strategic guidance based on deep knowledge of timber markets and other macro-economic trends
This approach gave the family confidence that they were receiving fair market value while allowing flexibility to align harvesting with weather, site conditions, and even seasonal considerations like hunting.
The Result: A Sustainable Forest and Multi-Generational Legacy
Today, the Big Pine property is positioned for long-term success:
- Multiple generations of forest have taken root
- Wildlife habitat has been significantly improved
- The family’s traditions and connection to the land have remained strong
- Sustainable revenue has supported ongoing stewardship
Most importantly, the project reflects a shared commitment between the landowners and FORECON: To manage the forest for today but also for generations to come.
Interested in managing your land for both legacy and value? Learn more about our forest management services and strategy services. You can also contact us anytime or call us directly at (716) 664-5602.