Woodland News

Project: Leek Hunting and Mountain Preserve

Client: Colonel Ed Fisher

Location: Pennsylvania

Property Size: 400 acres

Timeline: 2020–2023

Services: Forest Management Planning, Timber Inventory, Timber Marking, Timber Sale Administration

The Property

For nearly two decades, the LEEK Hunting and Mountain Preserve in Potter County, Pennsylvania has been more than a privately owned forest; it has served as a place of healing for military veterans. 

After leaving the Army, property owner Colonel Ed Fisher began purchasing land with a vision of creating guided hunting experiences for wounded veterans. Over time, he discovered that the preserve offered something even more valuable than hunting opportunities.

"It has little to do with hunting," Colonel Fisher explained. "It has to do with healing mentally and physically for the veterans." 

Today, the 400-acre preserve hosts multiple guided hunts each year, bringing together veterans from across the country. What starts with unfamiliar faces often grows into genuine connections and lasting relationships.

Colonel Fisher has continued expanding the property with improved trails, wildlife habitat, and plans for a gathering hall that will support retreats, educational programming, and community events. The end goal? Ensuring the property remains dedicated to serving veterans for generations to come.

The Challenge: Managing a Forest While Honoring Multiple Goals

When Colonel Fisher enrolled the LEEK Hunting and Mountain Preserve in a forest carbon program, he wanted to conserve the property's 400 acres while supporting its long-term stewardship. As part of the program, FORECON was selected to assess the property and later develop the Forest Management Plan required to maintain compliance. 

During the assessment, FORECON quickly identified a significant concern: portions of the forest had become overcrowded, limiting the growth of younger trees and reducing overall forest health. A selective timber harvest would improve the woodland, but any harvesting would have to comply with the carbon program's legally binding requirements.

“[FORECON] was incredibly professional, and Jason stayed with me the whole time…the cutting, evaluation, explaining what they were cutting and how it would improve my forest. Being able to work with someone who cares about the customer like that speaks volumes.”

- Colonel Ed Fisher, Property Owner and CEO of LEEK Hunting and Mountain Preserve

The challenge became balancing multiple objectives at once: improving the forest's long-term health, maintaining compliance with the carbon program, protecting wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities, and preserving a peaceful setting to support the preserve's mission of serving military veterans.

For Colonel Fisher, who had never completed a timber harvest before, the process raised understandable concerns, “I'd never timbered my property before. Jason answered all of [my] concerns. It was a comfortable process for me."

The project required balancing several objectives simultaneously:

• Improve long-term forest health
• Maintain compliance with carbon program requirements
• Protect wildlife habitat and recreational trails
• Preserve the property's mission as a retreat for veterans
• Generate income to help support ongoing stewardship and improvements

The Solution: Integrating Carbon Management with Active Forestry

FORECON partnered with Colonel Fisher throughout every phase of the project, beginning with the development of a Forest Management Plan in 2021. The plan aimed to satisfy the carbon program requirements while establishing long-term management objectives for the property. 

When Colonel Fisher later decided to complete a timber sale, the team faced a new challenge. Harvesting had to remain within the carbon program's harvesting limits while still improving forest conditions. FORECON completed a detailed inventory of both the trees designated for harvest and those that would remain. This provided accurate pre- and post-harvest carbon accounting required by the program to ensure the project remained fully compliant.

Because the carbon program was relatively new, many of the procedures had never been tested in a real timber harvest. Rather than stepping away from the uncertainty, FORECON worked through the evolving requirements alongside the landowner, developing practical solutions while helping navigate unfamiliar regulations.

As Jason explained, "We had to think outside the box. This was navigating a new program and a new set of legally binding rules. We put our heads together and made it work."

Execution: Staying Engaged Beyond the Plan

FORECON's role extended well beyond planning and marking timber.

Throughout the 2023 harvest, the team regularly monitored operations to ensure harvesting activities complied with both the Best Management Practices for Timber Harvest Operations and the carbon program's requirements. When issues arose, such as deteriorating road conditions or substandard logging performance, FORECON worked directly with the contractor to address problems before they became larger concerns.

FORECON’s local presence allowed the team to respond quickly and maintain close oversight throughout the project. Persistent follow-up helped ensure the harvest was completed successfully while protecting the long-term condition of the property.

For Colonel Fisher, that level of involvement made all the difference, “[FORECON] was incredibly professional, and Jason stayed with me the whole time…the cutting, evaluation, explaining what they were cutting and how it would improve my forest. Being able to work with someone who cares about the customer like that speaks volumes."

"We had to think outside the box. This was navigating a new program and a new set of legally binding rules. We put our heads together and made it work.”

- Jason Wenrich, ACF, FORECON Director of Certification & Sustainability

The Results: A Healthier Forest Supporting a Greater Mission

Since the selective harvest, Colonel Fisher has witnessed healthier forest growth throughout the preserve. "I drive through the property and I can see the growth," he said. "The other trees are growing at a much better rate."

The project also demonstrated that active forest management and carbon conservation can work when guided by careful planning and technical expertise.

Today, the preserve continues to provide:

• Improved forest health and future timber productivity
• Compliance with long-term carbon program commitments
• Enhanced wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities
• Continued support for guided hunting retreats serving military veterans
• A sustainable forest that will remain dedicated to its mission for future generations

As Colonel Fisher continues improving the property, expanding trails, and building facilities for veterans, the forest itself remains one of the preserve's greatest assets. It’s a landscape managed not only for today, but for the people who will benefit from it for decades to come.

Project Highlights

• 400-acre forest managed under a carbon program
• Forest Management Plan developed to support long-term stewardship
• Timber harvest completed while maintaining carbon program compliance
• Detailed forest inventory supporting pre- and post-harvest reporting
• Active timber sale administration and on-site monitoring
• Improved forest health while advancing a mission dedicated to serving veterans

Want to learn more about how FORECON can help you manage your land for both legacy and value? Visit our forest management services and strategy services for detailed information. You can also contact us anytime or call us directly at (716) 664-5602. 

And to support Colonel Fisher and the LEEK preserve, please visit the website and learn how you can volunteer your time, make a donation, or provide gently used equipment and goods to directly support the veterans.