The Stage One objective of this project is to identify a suitable methodology for a NZ-wide survey and inventory of alternative species forests and their owners by undertaking a pilot study in Hawke’s Bay Region. This report presents the initial results of this pilot study. On the culmination of this first stage a ‘stop/go point’ will be reached, based on the estimated cost and funding required to continue with the objectives of two subsequent stages – (i) field work to better assess the quality, harvesting potential and owner objectives of the small-scale alternative species resource in the Hawke’s Bay Region and (ii) modelling to determine high, medium and low regional scenarios for the potential log supply from Hawke’s Bay existing alternative species forest resource.