YORK - When it comes to flora and fauna, this town is known for the wide array of species living in its forests. The challenge comes in preserving that diversity as the town grows.

That very challenge will be the subject of a public workshop to be hosted by the Planning Board on Thursday, Jan. 6.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the York Public Library’s Community Meeting Room.

The forestry workshop is for private landowners, foresters, town officials and land trust staff and members interested in integrating timber management and biodiversity.

Town Planner Steve Burns said he expects the workshop to provide "insight into some of the unique challenges we face here in York, especially as this relates to the amazing biodiversity we find here in York’s forests."

Maine Audubon forest ecologist Robert Bryan, who is also a licensed forester will lead the workshop.

"Managed forests can provide multiple benefits in developing communities, including clean water, clean air, wildlife habitat, beautiful wood for building homes and furniture, and places to enjoy nature and the outdoors," Bryan said.

The workshop is based on Maine Audubon’s new guide, "Focus Species Forestry," which offers practical recommendations on how to manage forest lands for the full range of Maine’s wildlife and other biodiversity while simultaneously providing other forest benefits - such as timber harvesting, clean water, clean air and recreation.

"‘Focus Species Forestry’ is an integrated way to achieve those goals," Bryan noted. "On a typical woodlot, by focusing on the habitat requirements of a small number of species, landowners can provide habitat for a wide range of species with similar needs."

For example, the American marten, red-breasted nuthatch, spruce grouse and black-backed woodpecker require different food and cover, but are all found in medium-age and mature spruce-fir and mixed spruce-fir-hardwood forests.

According to Maine Audubon, "Focus Species Forestry" aims to help foresters and landowners develop management plans that support the goals of the award-winning collaborative program Beginning with Habitat, which helps communities plan growth to protect natural areas and prevent sprawl.

"I am hopeful that this will help us make practical use of the mass of data that we are compiling," Burns said.

Maine Audubon works to conserve the state’s wildlife and wildlife habitat by engaging people of all ages in education, conservation and action.

For information, attend the Jan. 6 work session or visit the Maine Audubon Web site at:

www.maineaudubon.org.