Bob Cozzo

My name is Bob Cozzo and I am a forester. Since I was little kid I always wanted to be in the woods. As I got older I thought why not get a job that requires being in the woods? So I pursued a career in forestry. I started out in fire management, but after a few years I realized that wasn’t for me and quickly turned my attention to forest management. I have since learned through schooling and on the ground experience how forest systems work, silvaculture principles, soil characteristics, and hydrology and wildlife biology as I’ve gone along with my career.

As a forester I do my best to develop, care for and cultivate forests. Up to this point all of my experience and most of my education has been geared towards large scale management on large tracts of land. While there is nothing wrong with that, I have always wondered about the small stuff. What about all the small tracts of land that are privately owned? How are people managing them? What about the larger tracts of private land? Are people aware of the different options they have for management? I think back to my education and experience and how long it has taken to get to where I am and I wonder how are people learning these things? Not that forestry is a difficult science to learn; it just takes time and can be very confusing. Along with that many forestry management practices tend to be better suited for large scale management. With there be so many acres privately owned the management of all these small tracts put together; adds up to a huge land base. How were these being treated and are there ways for people to scale down and apply management practices to their land?

I believe the vast majority of landowners care deeply about their woodlot. They want to enjoy their land as they see fit. But I’ve talked with many who seem afraid and confused to try anything. Maybe all they want to do is cut a little bit of firewood, put up a deer stand, and attract song birds to their place. There is so much information out there that they don’t know where to begin.

My goal with Do It Yourself Forestry is to not only give you the place to begin, but to teach you more along the way. I will make sure the actions are still based off the principles of Forestry. I want to teach you the theories and methods and help you achieve your desired outcomes of your land. Once you understand all of this you will be able to go out to your forest and implement your plan on the ground.