Professional Documents
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Forestry Source July 2019 PDF
Forestry Source July 2019 PDF
cial
Rec Editi
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tion n:
News for forest resource professionals published by the Society of American Foresters July 2019 • Vol. 24, No. 7
O
ne hundred years ago, a For- investigation of current recreation condi- How she developed an appreciation for
est Service landscape engineer tions, Waugh concluded that managing the outdoors
D E PA RT M E N T S named Frank Waugh authored a recreation should become a central pri- While I was growing up in Houston, Tex-
report titled Recreation Uses on the National ority of national forest management. “The as, my parents never took my brother and
2 Letter to the Editor Forests. To prepare this report, Waugh em- moment that recreation is recognized as a me to any state parks or national parks;
barked on a five-month field study, visit- legitimate forest utility the way is opened even going to the city park was a rare
10, 15 Commentary
ing a number of national forests across the for a more intelligent administration of thing, because they didn’t feel comfortable
20 SAF Chapter Resources country where recreational development the National Forests. It seems obvious going to those places. Being Hispanic and
was occurring. He knowingly observed that this utility must be fairly conserved not really knowing a lot of English, it was
22 Continuing Education Calendar that “Outdoor recreation is a necessity and developed in proportion to its value hard for my parents to go to one of these
22 Employment Ads of life, and as civilization becomes more
intensive the public demand will grow SELIN Q Page 8 RODRIGUEZ Q Page 19
24 Forest Industry News
EDITORS NOTEBOOK LETTER TO THE
Published monthly by the Society of American For-
EDITOR
esters (SAF), The Forestry Source (ISSN 1084-5496)
provides SAF members and other natural resource
Recreation: The Trail to Forestry Deer Browse Impacts
professionals with news regarding developments
within the forestry profession as well as the activities In “New Visualization of Browse Impacts
and policies of SAF. Points to Restoration Challenges in Decid-
uous Forests of the Midwest and North-
The opinions expressed in articles, commentaries,
and letters do not necessarily reflect the policies or east” (The Forestry Source, January 2019),
views of SAF. Will McWilliams suggests that browsing
by white-tailed deer is both damaging to
Publisher: Terry Baker, terryb@safnet.org
Editor: Steve Wilent, (503) 622-3033,
young forest habitat and has made “re-
wilents@safnet.org storing broadleaf deciduous forests in the
Associate Editor: Andrea Watts, wattsa@safnet.org Midwest and Northeast … nearly impos-
Editorial Offices and Advertising Sales
sible in many areas.” His conclusions are
10100 Laureate Way, Bethesda, MD 20814 based in part on the US Forest Service’s
Tel (301) 897-8720 • www.safnet.org browse impact assessment (McWilliams
Correspondence: Address all editorial correspon-
et al. 2018), which is undoubtedly the
dence to the Editor at the above address. Advertising most-extensive browsing assessment
inquiries should be directed to John R. Barnwell at conducted at such a large scale. As such,
(301) 897-8720, ext. 300.
McWilliams’s fieldwork and data set are
Subscription rates: $61 for individuals in the US and important and admirable, but I found his
From the US Forest Service photography archive: Camping at Woodward Forest Camp on Langdon Lake,
Canada $116 in other countries); $116 for institutions
Umatilla National Forest, Oregon, September 1956. Photo by Frank Flack. conclusions in this article unwarranted
in the US ($173 in other countries). Subscriptions
and ultimately misleading to forest prac-
for members is included in annual dues. See tinyurl
.com/m6xo2x9 for other rates and information. For in- By Steve Wilent titioners and the general public.
formation regarding subscriptions, address changes, concerned—took me all across western McWilliams reports that about 60 per-
L
and purchasing single editions, call 866-897-8720.
ike most SAF members of my gen- North America. I kept camping gear in the cent of the 182 million acres of forestland
Permission to reprint: Individuals, and nonprofit li- eration—I turned 60 last year—rec- back so I could strike out for a national across the study area was either moder-
braries acting for them, are permitted to make fair reation instilled in me a love of the forest or state or county park on a whim, ately or heavily browsed, and thus, “areas
use of the material in this publication; for example, out-of-doors. Some of my earliest memories after school or work. On one memora- of concern.” But a closer look at the data
copying an article for personal or classroom use.
For republication, or systematic or multiple repro- are of playing outside, in the yard, at first, ble excursion to the King Range Nation- set reveals that, in four-fifths of a roughly
duction of copyrighted material, permission must be and then in the field at the end of the road. al Conservation Area, a remote stretch of 110-million-acre area, browsing was not
obtained from SAF, with a fee for commercial use to Though the field was perhaps five acres, it Northern California coastline managed by common (i.e., rated as medium). In fact,
be determined. To request permission to republish or
reproduce material, contact the Editor at the address was a vast wilderness for me as a four- and the Bureau of Land Management, I back- in 88 percent of the entire region, brows-
above. Proper notice of copyright and credit to The five-year-old. Its narrow game trails became packed on sand and cobble beaches for ing was either not observed at all (rated
Forestry Source must appear on all copies made. my own, the shrubby hedge with its green miles without seeing more than three or as low) or it was uncommon (medium).
Permission is granted to quote from The Forestry
Source if the customary acknowledgment accompa-
tunnels my castle, the majestic oaks at one four people. I camped on the sand above By lumping the far more frequent medi-
nies the quote. end the guardians of my kingdom. And it the high-tide line one night and spent an- um browsing with the far less frequent
was all accessible—by tricycle. other at the edge of a meadow bisected high browsing, and collectively labeling
Postmaster: Send address changes to The Forestry
Source, 10100 Laureate Way, Bethesda, MD 20814,
My first memory of recreation beyond by a rushing creek and dotted with wild these occurrences as areas of “concern,”
Attn.: E. Cooke my neighborhood was a campground at iris in bloom, with Pacific waves crashing McWilliams effectively inflates the impor-
Yosemite National Park where my parents on a cobble beach, air filled with the tang tance of intensive browsing in the region
Periodicals postage paid at Bethesda, Maryland, and
at additional mailing offices. Printed in the USA.
and brother and I slept on the ground of salt water and the earthy forest nearby, and suggests that any observed browsing
wrapped in blankets—we had little camp- not another soul in sight. I caught a nice is a problem. Given that deer are an inte-
© 2019, Society of American Foresters. ing gear aside from a Coleman stove and greenling and steamed it for dinner over gral part of eastern forest ecosystems, this
ISSN 1084-5496.
an ice chest. The aroma of frying bacon a driftwood fire. Heaven on Earth. I only perspective does little to further a broader
Society of American Foresters and wood smoke on the chilly mountain reluctantly returned to civilization. understanding of forest ecosystems.
air was intoxicating. As a six-year-old, the When I told my parents that I would Of course, deer (and moose) do
The mission of the Society of American Foresters is trails to the park’s awesome waterfalls, go to college, not to study engineering or browse some areas heavily (i.e., 12 percent
to advance the science, education, technology, and
practice of forestry; to enhance the competency of
wading in the Yosemite River, and eating business, but forestry, I wondered why of the study area), and heavy browsing of-
its members; to establish standards of professional meals by a campfire made for an adven- they were surprised. ten occurs in young, regenerating forests.
excellence; and to use the knowledge, skills, and ture far beyond any I had known. Young forests provide habitat for a suite
conservation ethic of the profession to ensure the
Before I was 16, I walked, hitchhiked, Recreation for Everyone of scrub-shrub species, such as blue and
continued health and use of forest ecosystems and
the present and future availability of forest resources or rode a bicycle to parks and camp- Several of the articles in this special edi- golden–winged warblers, chestnut-sid-
to benefit society. grounds, a rucksack on my back or on tion on recreation focus on the US Forest ed warblers, and common yellowthroats.
a rack on the back of the bike. My first Service, which provides more developed These ephemeral habitats soon disappear
President: John W. McNulty,
jmcnulty@sevenislands.com car, a 1964 Pontiac Tempest station wag- (along with these associated species) as
on—a sport utility vehicle, as far as I was NOTEBOOK Q Page 16 their initially open-grown structures fill in
Vice-President: Tamara Cushing with dense, tall trees and a closed cano-
Tamara.Cushing@oregonstate.edu
py. However, the only natural process that
Immediate Past President: David S. Lewis, CF, ACF occurs with any regularity in the eastern
dlewis@southernforestry.net forest to delay the growth of woody plants
Chief Executive Officer: Terry Baker, and extend the period of young forest hab-
terryb@safnet.org itat (i.e., low vegetation and few trees) is
intensive browsing by ungulates. Hence,
Board of Directors (District): Thomas M. Hanson, CF
(1); Michael J. Cloughesy (2); Nicholas Dennis (3);
it makes no sense to argue, as McWilliams
Beverly Yelczyn (4); Donald E. Howlett, CF (5); Mar- does, that deer are both suppressing for-
iann Garrison-Johnston, CF (6); David P. Gwaze (7); est growth and “obliterate[ing] habitat for
Christa F. Rogers (8); Tim Phelps (9); Richard (Dick) W.
Brinker; (10); Michael L. Murphrey, CF (11).
young-forest obligate animal species.”
As somebody who studies the im-
Non-voting members of the Board of Directors: Ka- pacts of deer and moose browsing in for-
tie Reiderman, Student Representative to the Board;
Craig MacLean, Chair, Forest Policy Committee; Ryan
ests, I understand, firsthand, the remark-
Armbrust, chair, House of Society Delegates; Nan able changes that these animals can cause.
Pond, Chair, Forest Science and Technology Board. However, I also understand that browsing
National Office Department Directors: John R. Barn-
is not just “damage” to a forest, but is also a
well, Director of Government and External Affairs; fundamental ecological process that often
Morgan Fincham, Senior Managing Editor; Louise has complex and surprising outcomes—
Murgia, CF, Chief of Staff and Chief Operating Officer;
Naomi Marcus, Director, Professional Development; Biking in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, in
Carol Redelsheimer, CF, Director, Science and Educa- southwestern Virginia. Photo: US Forest Service Southern Region. LETTER Q Page 16
tion; Operations.
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July 2019 3
RECREATION
T
he residents of rural Athens Coun- What might a national commitment
ty, Ohio, saw an opportunity to to shared stewardship mean for outdoor
address their public-health and recreation? It means more creative, col-
economic challenges by tapping into the laborative efforts such as the Baileys and
natural and social capital of the Wayne Eastern Sierra partnerships. While recre-
National Forest. Community visionaries ation partnerships in the US Forest Service
pulled together local business owners, are as old as the Appalachian Trail Con-
government officials, and university facul- servancy (founded in 1925), the agency’s
ty to develop a concept for an expansive nationwide commitment to ensuring that
mountain-bike trail system, with trail- partnerships are empowered, inclusive,
heads in several small towns, connecting and better supported is new. It marks a
them to federal, state, and local public change from a culture of expertism to one
lands. The trail system would promote in which the agency acknowledges that
physical activity for residents, create new important insights will emerge from the
jobs to serve out-of-town trail enthusi- collective knowledge of diverse partners.
asts, and improve the community’s overall It recognizes local and indigenous knowl-
quality of life. US Forest Service officials edge alongside corporate and scientific
began working with a network of nation- knowledge, extending one of Gifford Pin-
al and community partners to solidify chot’s maxims for foresters, to “Get rid of Mountain biking on the Pisgah National Forest. Photo by Cecilio Ricardo, US Forest Service
local investment in the proposed Baileys the attitude of personal arrogance or pride
Mountain Biking Trail System. With an of attainment of superior knowledge.”
innovative financing strategy structured Theodore Roosevelt invoked the of thousands of generous volunteers and ation service providers, the agency is help-
through a social impact bond (see tinyurl “sense of common duties and common service participants putting in millions of ing reduce uncertainty and de-risk capital
.com/yyd5z93o), this ongoing community interests, which arise when [people] take hours annually to maintain trails, patrol the investments, encouraging private business-
visioning and investment process exem- the trouble to understand one another, backcountry, and manage campgrounds. es to invest in public-land infrastructure
plifies how the Forest Service is building and to associate together for a common Partners extend the reach and relevancy projects—such as deferred maintenance
recreation capacity through shared stew- object.” Economist Elinor Ostrom posited of this work in many communities. While in campgrounds—that will serve business
ardship. that sustainable resource management can all of this is an important component of interests and further the agency’s goal to
What is shared stewardship? The US be achieved through building trust, coop- shared stewardship, the shared-steward- facilitate high-quality outdoor experiences
Forest Service uses the term to describe an eration, and institutions for collaborative ship concept encourages broadening, for the public.
agency-wide commitment to work with governance. Shared stewardship for out- deepening, and weaving together new and Shared stewardship requires building
others on relevant scales to identify, prior- door recreation builds on these traditions. existing commitments. Shared stewardship social capital, nurturing nascent partner-
itize, plan, and accomplish mutually ben- is about sharing not only in the work itself, ships, and sharing leadership and de-
eficial work on national forests and grass- Recreation Today but also in the risks and returns of shared cisionmaking space. For many people,
lands and beyond. Shared stewardship As foresters across the country know, out- investments. For example, by encouraging
approaches are motivated by a common door recreation is popular. The Bureau of longer-term special-use permits to recre- STEWARDSHIP Q Page 13
vision for how lands might be managed in Economic Analysis recently estimated that
a way that achieves shared benefits. The outdoor-recreation industry contributes to
approach is implemented through partner- 2.2 percent of the nation’s gross domestic
ships and capitalizes on shared interests, product, with more consumer spending
values, and interdependence, encouraging than the pharmaceutical and gasoline/fuels
the engagement of long-standing partners industries combined. The growth of out-
as well as new and diverse groups. [See door recreation has outpaced the overall
“Federal–State Shared Stewardship Strate- economy. At the same time, many pub-
gy Takes Hold,” The Forestry Source, June lic-land agencies have experienced declines
2019] In California, for example, the East- in budgets for operations and maintenance,
ern Sierra Sustainable Recreation Partner- as well as personnel, alongside increasing
ship helps gateway communities, such as levels of deferred maintenance for recre-
Mammoth Lakes, invest in mutually ben- ation facilities and infrastructure. A 2013
eficial projects across public lands (Eastern audit from the Government Accountability
Sierra Sustainable Recreation Partnership, Office found that only about one-quarter of
essrp.org). Here, local tax measures fund the Forest Service’s trail miles met the agen-
trails projects on the Inyo National Forest, cy’s standards.
as well as a trails website, supporting local Shared stewardship is more than a
tourism interests in a way that Town Coun- new catchphrase for getting help from
cil member John Wentworth describes as others. National forests and grasslands al-
“innovative, replicable, and necessary.” ready get a lot of help, benefiting from tens
www.junipersys.com/allegro3forestry
Transaction model for the Baileys Mountain Biking Trail System on the Wayne National Forest in Athens,
Ohio. See tinyurl.com/yyd5z93o.
July 2019 5
Private Timberland Owners’ Views on Balancing Access and Recreation
in noncommercial picking of berries and we have people working out in the woods, ucation. We want to get people out there,
mushrooms. and it’s important to have safety precautions and what we’ve found through this way
“We chose the permit model because in place and reduce resource damage.” of doing things, [is that] it pays dividends
of our large blocked-up landscapes, where Permitted motorized vehicles don’t to us.”
we have huge ownerships with existing include motorcycles or ATVs, because as The fifth-generation family-owned
gates around the edges,” Metcalf explained a working forest, Weyerhaeuser doesn’t Port Blakely’s corporate approach to rec-
“That worked better than dividing the area want these vehicles using the same roads reation and public access is providing free
into individual leases, like they have in the as forestry vehicles. access to its timberlands. “I think it’s ap-
South, and it also gave an opportunity to With the influx of people onto the preciated that people don’t have to pay to
get more people out on the landscape.” landscape, the likely question is: How re- access the lands,” explained Stanley, and
The pilot permit program was offered spectful are people? “On any of our permit Warjone added that “we get some e-mails
in several areas in 2013, and the follow- areas, we don’t have a garbage problem,” and calls in support of that.”
ing year, it was unveiled across 18 per- Metcalf said. “All of our garbage issues are That being said, “Weyerhaeuser and
mit areas. The number of permits issued in areas where it’s open access or people Hancock are creating a pretty cool experi-
each year was determined, Metcalf says, just rolling up to the gate to dump a refrig- ence for people who can buy a key,” War-
through “a little bit of trial and error.” erator and drive away.” jone said.
Weyerhaeuser picked what it thought was In addition to its recreational access However, Port Blakely’s philosophy
a reasonable number and then gauged the permit program, Weyerhaeuser also offers has evolved over the years, said Stanley.
feedback from Weyerhaeuser employees, leases on 250 scattered or isolated parcels “We used to just gate portions of our
In the Pacific Northwest, Weyerhaeuser offers ac- the timberlands security staff, and permit across Oregon and Washington. The leas- property and open our land for motorized
cess via recreational access leases to nearly two users to determine if the landscape felt es are primarily used for hunting, but this access during hunting season,” he said.
million acres of its timberlands. Leaseholders can
camp, ride horses, hike, hunt, and fish. Photograph crowded. year, a bike club leased a parcel in Mult- “But when the Forest and Fish law came
courtesy of Michelle Metcalf. “We’ve been able to add some per- nomah County. Weyerhaeuser foresters in, we started realizing we were spending
mits—not huge quantities—and a lot of will work with the group to construct sus- an awful lot of money repairing roads af-
that is in areas where we sell out quickly, tainable, safe trails that minimize resource ter hunting season, and there was an in-
By Andrea Watts because we do want to get people out on damage. creased risk of silt getting into streams, so
A
lthough public lands are touted for the landscape,” Metcalf said, adding that “We look forward to a very successful it was going against our road-maintenance
their recreational opportunities, the goal is to find that sweet spot between relationship,” said Metcalf. “This club has policies.”
private timberlands also provide accessibility and over-use. leases on other industrial forestlands that To that end, motorized vehicles aren’t
similar valuable opportunities. Unlike One change made since the permit have been very positive. I have faith that permitted; people are welcome to walk,
state and federal agencies, however, pri- program started is the availability of a it’s going to be a great partnership.” bike, or ride in on horseback. Picking
vate landowners aren’t required to open nonmotorized annual permit, which cur- Just as the forest types in the North- mushrooms and berries is allowed, and
their lands to the public. Those who do rently costs $75. With this permit, permit- west and South are different, so too are cutting firewood is also allowed with a
contend with the same issues that public tees are only allowed to bike ride, walk, the recreational programs. The Southern permit. Camping and campfires aren’t al-
agencies must grapple with: determining or ride horses within the permit area. “We Timberlands recreational program offers lowed. The reason for banning camping
when and where different types of recre- were getting feedback from neighbors only leases, with some customers having was the result of seeing the aftermath of
ational activities are permitted, managing who just wanted to walk in or horseback leased the same property for more than 20 hunting season on a tract of land pur-
security and trash, and balancing access riders who didn’t want all that other stuff,” years, Metcalf said. Hunting stands and chased in 2004.
with management activities. said Metcalf. “We tried to find something food plots are allowed, and the lease areas “After hunting season, it was disgust-
To learn how several well-known to accommodate their recreation use.” are also smaller compared to those out in ing,” Stanley said. “It was a mess. With fire
private forestland owners in the Pacif- Another recent change for motor- the Northwest, due to the differences in danger, I can’t foresee us allowing camp-
ic Northwest structure their recreational ized-use permit holders was allowing the wildlife patterns. ing unless it’s structured and by permit. A
programs, I chatted with representatives cutting of two cords of firewood, and in One interesting difference is that free-for-all doesn’t work.”
from Weyerhaeuser, Port Blakely, and 2016, camping was added. “Weyerhae- mountain biking and hiking aren’t as pop- In addition to hunting, kayakers and
Hancock Natural Resource Group. user was not in favor of camping in the ular recreational activities in the South. motorcyclists can also secure permission
beginning, but we’ve worked through that “I’m teaching my southern colleagues to use specific tracts for special events.
Weyerhaeuser and it hasn’t been an issue for us.” about these other cool recreation opportu- One unique type of recreation that the
Each region within Weyerhaeuser’s tim- This year, permit holders can also nities that we have out here in the North- company’s Morton Tree Farm hosts is
berlands portfolio has its own recreation- purchase a two-day guest pass for a non- west,” said Metcalf. hang gliding. According to Stanley, Dog
al access program. For the Northwest family member. Metcalf said that this ad- Although the program is only six Mountain is a world-famous hang-gliding
Region, which includes Washington, Or- dition was in response to feedback, pri- years old, Weyerhaeuser has built a loyal site, and Port Blakely continued the lease
egon, and Montana, nearly two million marily from the hunting community. customer base. “People do appreciate the agreement with the hang-gliding group
acres of timberland are available to ac- The fees collected from the permits opportunity to get out on the landscape,” after it purchased the tree farm. Not only
cess. As the Northwest recreation access are used to pay security staff who patrol she said, adding that the company is will- is the group respectful, “they have our
manager, SAF member Michelle Metcalf the units daily, gate and lock maintenance ing to listen to new recreational ideas the phone numbers, and if they see smoke,
is responsible for overseeing them all. (new keys are issued each year), and per- public suggests. “If we can make it work they call it in,” Stanley said. “It’s worked
Public access onto Weyerhaeuser tim- mit packets that include a paper map and with our existing uses, we’re more than really well.”
berlands has evolved over the years, she permit. Within the permit agreement, it is willing to investigate ways to give it a try.” “If there’s an organized group of peo-
said. What used to be open-access roads made clear that permittees are responsi- ple who approach us and say, ‘We’re inter-
became gated because of garbage dump- ble for their safety and surroundings, and Port Blakely ested in xyz,’ we’re open,” Warjone said.
ing and vandalism. Gates were then only Metcalf said that “we’ve been fortunate to It’s toward the end of my discussion with “If they got insurance, and we think it’s
opened during hunting season. Several not have any issues.” Court Stanley, president of Port Blakely not going to harm the resource or cause
years ago, in the Southern Timberlands When there is an active harvest unit, Tree Farms; Mike Warjone, vice-president issues with sediment in streams or cause a
Region, Weyerhaeuser’s recreational ac- the hauling route is posted and the road to of operations; and Teresa Loo, Port Blake- fire danger, we’ll entertain any idea.”
cess program started a recreational ac- the unit is closed to permit holders. Even ly’s director of environmental affairs and On its New Zealand property, Port
cess lease program, and “they had great if there isn’t an active harvest in an area, community relations, about the compa- Blakely also allows free access, but the
success with it, so we rolled it out in the forestry vehicles have the right of way, ny’s approach to managing public access company does issue permits to track us-
West,” Metcalf said. which is addressed in the permit rules. Al- and recreation that we return to my first ers. In New Zealand, “they’re more re-
Weyerhaeuser elected to use a fee- though CBs aren’t required, the channels question: What is Port Blakely’s philoso- spectful of private property,” Stanley said.
based annual permit model for motor- are posted. “We do our best to keep our phy on public access for recreation on its “It’s pretty well-known it’s private forest-
ized access that currently costs anywhere customers notified and safe,” Metcalf said, 140,000 acres of timberland in Washing- land.”
from $225 to $395. Permits are available “and most are repeat customers who are ton and Oregon? Group activities, such as motorcross,
for specific areas, with the number issued familiar with a working landscape.” “We’ve never discussed it intentional- are allowed, and unlike in the United
determined by the carrying capacity of Prohibited recreational activities in- ly,” said Loo. “But my sense is that public States, hunting season is year-round.
the land. Included with the permission to clude target shooting, Metcalf said. “Safety access, the way it’s evolved, is part of our One concern with allowing free pub-
access the land is the option to camp, re- is a core value at Weyerhaeuser. Whether culture and part of our overall belief. It lic access is the dumping of trash. Dump-
move two cords of firewood, and partake it’s the clays left behind or the spent shells, goes in hand with our environmental ed- ing is an issue, Warjone admitted, but the
HURRY!
EARLY BIRD
REGISTRATION
CLOSES
SEPTEMBER 18.
July 2019 7
SELIN
post-WWII era of the 1950s and 1960s
Q From Page 1
(Collins and Brown 2007). Rising visita-
tion and competing public demands on
to the public” (Waugh 1918, 5). To do so, the National Forest System have stretched
he recommended that the Forest Service the capacity of the agency to respond to
should employ men suitably trained in these emerging social trends. For exam-
recreation, landscape engineering, and re- ple, dramatic increases in the amount of
lated subjects. If Waugh’s report ushered dispersed recreation use (for example,
in the era of professionally and scientifi- camping outside of a designated camp-
cally managed outdoor recreation on na- ground) that occurs outside developed
tional forests, it begs the question of how recreation sites have severely tested the
well the institution has met his challenge. agency. For example, the rising use of
One hundred years later, what is the cur- off-road vehicles to access remote regions
rent status and what are the prospects for of national forests has prompted a Trav-
the Forest Service’s managed recreation el Management Program to clarify policy
program? Are there internal reforms that about where motor vehicles are allowed
could help the agency more effectively or prohibited on national forest lands (US
achieve its mission with respect to recre- Forest Service 2008). User conflicts be-
ation? tween motorized and non-motorized visi-
tors are on the rise.
The Forest Service’s Managed Recre- The face of national forest visitors is
ation Program also changing as America becomes more
These questions frame the objective of diverse. According to the Pew Research
this essay. I examined the Forest Service’s Center, by 2055, the United States will Figure 2. The Cost of Wildland Fire as a Percentage of the Forest Service’s Annual Budget (US Forest Service
2015b)
managed outdoor recreation program by not have a single racial or ethnic major-
reading relevant agency reports, reviewing ity. Over the next 50 years, the majority for the annual day of the year when their dividuals and communities by providing
the academic and professional literature, of US population growth will be linked to recreation project budgets get stripped quality recreation through partnerships
and speaking with field-level recreation Asian and Hispanic immigration (Pew Re- and the funds transferred to the wildfire with local recreation service providers.
managers, as well as recreation directors search Center 2016). The Forest Service budget. Interestingly, the Framework does not
at a regional and Washington office level. and other federal land management agen- In addition to a declining number of attempt to operationally define “sustain-
While I reviewed many constructive com- cies are working hard to employ conserva- full-time employees, an overall flat agen- able recreation,” leaving flexibility in how
ments about recreation and the Forest Ser- tion professionals and provide recreation cy budget in recent years, and wildfire- the Forest Service regions and individual
vice, the final conclusions of this essay are opportunities that are responsive to these related budget disruptions, deferred main- national forests interpret and implement
my own. Any acclaim or criticism should demographic changes. For example, a tenance costs for developed recreation the Framework. Instead, it identifies 10
be directed my way. matter as simple as the design of a typical sites and trails have ballooned: In 2016, focus areas in which to achieve the agen-
It’s likely that Waugh would struggle Forest Service campground can be prob- these costs stood at $672 million (US For- cy’s sustainable recreation goals. These
to wrap his head around the scale of rec- lematic. A typical campsite often caters to est Service 2017a). Put into perspective, focus areas include standard sustainability
reation investment that the Forest Service the typical atomic family of the 1960s— only a quarter of Forest Service trails are programs, such as restoring and adapting
has made since 1918. For one thing, the two parents and three children taking a being managed up to standard. What does recreation settings, implementing “green”
US population has grown threefold since 1–2-week summer vacation (think Chevy this all mean for the Forest Service’s man- operations, forging strategic partnerships,
1918, from 103.2 to 325.4 million resi- Chase’s family in National Lampoon’s Va- aged recreation program? It means that promoting citizen stewardship, develop-
dents. The number of recreation visits cation). Campsite design for the future the agency has a diminished capacity to ing a stable financial foundation, and de-
to the country’s 155 national forests has will need to be responsive to the cultural respond to society’s growing demand for veloping a recreation workforce.
grown from about five million visits in needs of more-diverse visitors. Along with high-quality recreation opportunities on In his video introduction to the
1925 to 149 million visits today (US For- traditional campsites, the Forest Service the National Forest System. It means that Framework, former chief Tom Tidwell
est Service 2017a; see Figure 1). Overall, may need to develop more “large group” many of these public demands go unmet, placed the goal of sustainable recreation
the Forest Service today manages more campsites to accommodate the shifting resulting in dissatisfied visitors, unman- within the context of strained federal
than 158,000 miles of trails, 115,000 cultural needs of visitors, as well as add aged recreation sites, deteriorating infra- budgets, backlogged maintenance, and
overnight and day-use developed sites, other modern conveniences such as elec- structure, and ecological damage. Clearly, unmanaged recreation (US Forest Service
and more than 380,000 heritage sites. In tricity, wi-fi, and cell service. the agency’s recreation program is at a 2012). “We need to go beyond current
addition, the agency manages 36.5 mil- crossroads and in dire need of a strategic, funding sources,” he said. The chief is-
lion acres of designated wilderness, 122 Internal Agency Challenges focused investment. Faced with these sig- sued a call to action to Forest Service part-
waterways in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Given these pressing societal challenges, nificant challenges, the Forest Service has ners to help implement the Framework
System, and 136 National Scenic Byways one anticipates the Forest Service would adapted and implemented several new and added that additional Web resources,
covering more than 9,100 miles. More be mobilizing capital and human resourc- recreation programs designed to address tools, and cases would be available soon.
than 230 million Americans live within es to meet these outdoor recreation needs these challenges. Now-resigned Forest Service chief
100 miles of a national forest or grassland. of the future. However, internal bud- Tony Tooke picked up this mantle from
get figures suggest otherwise: a decline A Framework for Sustainable Recreation Chief Tidwell, publishing five agency
Societal Challenges of about 15 percent in the budget of the The Forest Service’s Framework for Sus- priorities that included: “Enhancing rec-
With the scale of this recreation infra- Recreation, Heritage, and Wilderness Pro- tainable Recreation (FSR) was released reation opportunities, improving access,
structure and need to accommodate cur- gram from 2001 to 2015 (US Forest Ser- by the Washington Office in 2010 as an and sustaining recreation infrastructure.”
rent and potential visitor use, agency lead- vice 2015b). According to one recent For- eight-page document communicating the (US Forest Service 2017b). Thus, enhanc-
ers rightly tout the Forest Service as the est Service report, this program’s budget broad challenges and opportunities facing ing recreation opportunities continues to
largest, most diverse provider of outdoor declined by nearly $95 million between the Forest Service’s managed recreation be a strategic priority for the Forest Ser-
recreation opportunities in the world. The FY 2011 and FY2016, an 18 percent de- program (Selin 2017; US Forest Service vice.
agency has certainly built a strong tradi- crease (US Forest Service 2017a). In ad- 2010). The Framework is couched in the Over the past five years, the agency’s
tion of scientifically and professionally dition, the number of full-time employees context of a history of innovation and national office has developed an FSR Im-
managed recreation resources since Frank in the Forest Service’s managed recreation growth, as well as the significant challeng- plementation Guide that provides guid-
Waugh’s 1918 recreation report. How- program has declined by nearly 30 per- es to providing quality recreation in an era ance, tools, and lessons learned to Forest
ever, it is presently grappling with many cent since 2002. While many causes can of population growth, urbanization, pub- Service regions and individual national
thorny recreation challenges as it strives be attributed to this recreation budget lic health concerns, an out-of-touch-with- forests to use. Over the past three years, a
to achieve its motto of “Caring for the land decline, the elephant in the room is the nature American public, and declining number of Forest Service regions have de-
and serving people” during an era of un- vast financial investment the Forest Ser- public revenues to maintain and enhance veloped their own sustainable recreation
precedented social and economic change vice is making in fighting wildfires. Fig- recreation facilities and opportunities. It strategies, tiered to the national FSR, and
(US Forest Service 2015a). Population ure 2 illustrates how much of the overall articulated a vision and guiding princi- individual forests are now striving to im-
growth and increased urbanization have Forest Service budget is getting consumed ples that emphasize re-connecting people plement their own as well. According to
severely tested the Forest Service’s recre- by fighting wildfires (US Forest Service with their national forests and inspiring Tinelle Bustam, national assistant director
ation infrastructure and management sys- 2015b). Anecdotally, Forest Service recre- responsibility to care for them. The vision of recreation, tourism, and public services,
tems, which were developed during the ation staff has described how they brace strives to bring health and vitality to in- efforts to “modernize, streamline, and ad-
July 2019 9
COMMENTARY
W
ilderness always generates tecting wilderness from visitors—at least
strong opinions, such as based on our experience in visiting more
those expressed when the than 60 wilderness areas since 2012.
administrator of The Smokey Wire: Na- This focus results in removing signs,
tional Forest News and Views, a blog on trail markers (cairns), campsites, and
natural-resources topics, suggested other visitor aids to meet some notion of
the creation of “wilderness lite” areas, a primitive experience. Wilderness visi-
where mountain bikes would be allowed tor guidelines often spell out prohibited
(Friedman 2019). Many responded. activities, but agencies devote little effort
A well-respected conservation- to redirecting or mitigating environmen-
ist commented that “wilderness is not tal impacts through better dispersal of
about recreation” (Wuethner 2019). visitors. Two recent examples:
Our comment noted that “mountain
bikes are a nice way to more quickly ac- • On a weekday in Virginia’s Shenan-
cess wilderness and provide more wil- doah National Park (SHEN), a
derness experience for these users, but 200-car parking lot on the park’s
A wilderness area entry point. Photo courtesy of Cindy and David Chojnacky.
wilderness is not for users; it only allows east side overflowed into a private
visitors. Therefore, to use wilderness for lot at the trailhead to “Old Rag,” Natural conditions would be improved facilities to support a livestock grazing
the benefit of mountain bikers violates a a popular hike within the wilder- by removing invasives and restoring program, will be permitted to contin-
basic premise of wilderness” (Chojnacky ness (60 percent of SHEN). A few ecological processes. If agencies refrain ue in National Forest wilderness areas,
and Chojnacky 2019). miles south, confused backpackers from allowing nonconforming uses, this when such grazing was established prior
The preamble to the Wilderness Act wandered up Whiteoak–Cedar Run enhances the undeveloped aspect of wil- to classification of an area as wilderness”
of 1964 indicates that we all were a bit Canyon, where NPS had closed derness. (Forest Service field managers, (House Report 96-17). It also specifies
off base. all creekside campsites—the only for example, must seek exemptions to that wilderness designations cannot be
The Act states that Congress’s policy desirable terrain for camping. We permit use of helicopters for inventory used to reduce or phase out grazing.
is: found that wilderness trails north or wildlife monitoring; or chainsaws for So, we have an interesting conun-
“[T]o secure for the American people of these areas and accessible from creating fire-line or temporary clearing drum. Congress said in 1964 that the
of present and future generations the ben- Old Rag trailhead were lightly used. of post-fire or post-insect downfall in purpose for wilderness areas is for the
efits of an enduring resource of wilderness. NPS issues day-hike maps from wilderness.) Solitude is thought to be im- use and enjoyment of people, and a key
For this purpose there is hereby established Skyline Drive visitor centers, but proved by reducing visitor encounters, reason to maintain wilderness unim-
a National Wilderness Preservation System provides little information to crowds signs of modern civilization inside wil- paired is for future use and enjoyment.
to be composed of federally owned areas accessing the park/wilderness from derness, recreational facilities, or man- Yet Congress left the door open to ex-
designated by Congress as ‘wilderness ar- population centers to the east. agement restrictions on visitor behavior. empt a number of existing uses express-
eas’, and these shall be administered for the • The popular Sawtooth Wilderness Congress itself has muddied the ly prohibited by the Act; some may
use and enjoyment of the American people in Idaho, managed by FS, is heavily wilderness-use waters. The Wilderness enhance visitor experience, but many
in such manner as will leave them unim- backpacked in the summer season; Act of 1964 expressly prohibits specific undermine wilderness character and
paired for future use and enjoyment as wil- most visitors camp at the same uses that would impair wilderness char- dampen the visitor experience.
derness, and so as to provide for the protec- dozen lakes (of more than 100) in acter or leave a human imprint, such as Nevertheless, the Wilderness Act
tion of these areas, the preservation of their a few areas and hike less than 25 constructing temporary roads, installing outlines a balance for wilderness stew-
wilderness character, and for the gathering percent of 350 trail miles. Kiosks at structures, using motor vehicles or mo- ardship. Since wilderness areas should
and dissemination of information regarding popular trailheads spell out prohi- torboats, landing aircraft, and using any be managed for the benefit of wilder-
their use and enjoyment as wilderness.” bitions, and much of the agency’s form of mechanical transportation, in- ness visitors now and forever (to “ensure
(italics ours) fieldwork seems to be removing fire cluding bicycles. The Act then proceeds a continuing resource of wilderness”),
Congress established public wilder- circle rocks, without creating any to allow exemptions for uses already wilderness should be protected unim-
ness areas “for the use and enjoyment new campsites, so that visitors are established, including motorboats, air- paired—as managers have focused on—
of the American people.” According to channeled to the few flat, dusty craft, water developments, grazing, and but also managed for what visitors want
Webster, “use” is the act or practice of lakeside sites. mineral exploration, plus mechanized and need.
employing something, as well as power and motorized uses to support these op-
to use something, the legal enjoyment of Perhaps some of the emphasis on erations. Many enabling acts for public What Visitors Want
property, and so on. Recreation is “ac- protection of public wilderness areas wilderness areas have included these Wilderness field managers naturally
tivity done for enjoyment when one is from visitors stems from wilderness exemptions. Hence, we have the Frank want to know more about visitors: In a
not working.” So, use and recreation are managers’ focus on “wilderness charac- Church River of No Return Wilderness 2014 survey concerning research needs
primary purposes of public wilderness ter.” This concept, first created by an in- in Idaho with airstrips, fly-in lodges, to aid wilderness management, some
areas. In fact, a major reason they are to teragency group of wilderness managers and motorboats on some river stretch- 126 respondents (out of a total 368,
be kept “unimpaired” is for future use and researchers in the 1990s and updat- es. In other wilderness areas, we find about one-third) supported an inven-
and enjoyment as wilderness. ed twice since, is loosely based on Wil- commercial outfitter camps, permittees tory of “visitor use, preferences, and
The four federal agencies charged derness Act language and includes five using bulldozers to improve stock tanks, impacts” (Watson and Armatas 2017).
with wilderness administration tout wil- attributes: Wilderness is untrammeled, ranch roads to access wilderness, and of Wilderness researchers have seen the
derness recreation. The Forest Service natural, and undeveloped; provides op- course, livestock grazing, which some- need to understand human benefits and
(FS) administers public wilderness areas portunities for solitude (primitive or un- times results in creeks, springs, and use of wilderness (Landres et al. 1994;
as part of its Recreation Heritage and confined recreation); and has other fea- campsites littered with manure piles. Watson 1995), have studied wilderness
Volunteer Resources. The National Park tures of value (Landres et al. 2015). Congress is so committed to wilder- experience (Watson 1995, 2007), and
Service (NPS), Bureau of Land Manage- For each attribute, the group in- ness grazing that it further clarified the have created guides on how to inven-
ment (BLM), and US Fish and Wildlife cludes examples of management that original Act’s language in the Colorado tory wilderness visitor use and prefer-
Service (FWS) all offer information on sustains or improves it. For example, National Forest Wilderness Act of 1980. ences (Watson et al. 2000). Early work
opportunities for wilderness recreation, for untrammeled conditions, managers A committee report on the bill stated that focused on recreational impacts of vis-
and an interagency website offers an would not manipulate ecological sys- “the legislative history of this language itors, and most visitor use/preference
article on its benefits. (www.wilderness tems (e.g., stock lakes with fish, con- is very clear in its intent that livestock work has been based on a few heavily
.net/NWPS/valuesRecreational). trol predators, or suppress wildfires). grazing, and activities and the necessary used areas (Watson and Armatas 2017).
FIA
tional Forests in Virginia, where downed gauge wilderness user experience. In-
trees and resulting brush closed trails in stead, they could ask the question (for
the Ramsey’s Draft, St. Mary’s, and Stone yes/no check), “Do the following wilder-
Mountain wildernesses; lacking a certi- ness features improve or hamper your
fied sawyer, the districts just left trails wilderness visit?” followed by a list of
closed or took them off the system map. recreational features (trails, signs, trail
We realize that our thinking may fly marker cairns or blazes, campsites, pit
in the face of the “wilderness-character” toilets, shelters); nonconforming but
July 2019 11
Training the Next Generation of Recreation Leaders
By Andrea Watts
internship experience into a full-time job system. These days, everything is a little
over the years. more fragmented. Some are still getting
jobs out of the chute with federal and state
Your program has an international ele- parks and land-management agencies, but
ment—one class is Sustainable Tourism students are finding jobs in the commer-
in Patagonia. Why include an internation- cial or nonprofit sector and working in
al element, and does that enhance the experiential-education programs.
students’ academic experience?
Everything has become more global and This is a tangent question, but what was
connected these days, so we’re trying to your reaction to the television show
prepare our students to work in that con- Parks and Recreation?
nected globalized environment. Of our It’s always good to get exposure, and then
five full-time professors, more than half of you usually get a bump in enrollment as a
them have strong international interests. I result of that. Recreation is a very applied
did a Fulbright year in Finland and taught field and is often a “discovery major,” so
in a forestry school. Robert Burns [direc- the exposure helps.
tor of the Forestry and Natural Resources
Division] has worked on visitor-moni- University of Maine
toring programs around the world and is UM offers a bachelor of science degree in
helping Brazil’s Forest and Park Agency parks, recreation, and tourism.
The University of Maine’s Parks, Recreation, and Tourism program includes a field-practice course during develop visitor-monitoring and profession-
which students learn about search and rescue and trail maintenance at Acadia National Park. Photographs al park-management programs. We bring How did the Parks, Recreation, and Tour-
courtesy of John Daigle.
knowledge and tools and share these with ism program develop?
international audiences, and then we bring Daigle: The program itself began in 1972
A
s was mentioned in the introduc- wood science and technology; and ener- back international best practices and share and started, like a lot of initial outdoor-rec-
tion on page 1, the recreation gy land management) in our division; the them in the United States. reation degree programs, within forestry
industry is expected to increase coursework and goals were separate. In and natural resources–management pro-
in the next decade, both in terms of the 2005, we started getting serious about be- How has enrollment fluctuated over the grams. Ours started within the School
number of people recreating and the jobs ing integrated. The five faculty who teach years? of Forest Resources, because there was a
needed to meet demand. To learn how in our program, we all have at least one Back in the 1970s and 1980s, we were growing demand for outdoor-recreation
universities are training the next gener- degree in forestry and natural resources. really big, with 250 students, and when management, both at the state and federal
ation of recreation professionals, I chat- we were just accredited by NRPA, we were level. Recreation is a relatively young pro-
ted with Steve Selin, a professor at West What courses does your curriculum in- much broader. Students would go into fessional field that really emerged in the
Virginia University (WVU), and John clude? natural resources, the Forest Service, or 1960s, when federal agencies specifically
Daigle, a professor at the University of Our core required courses have been con- work for public land–management agen- managed their lands for outdoor recre-
Maine (UM); both of these universities sistent over the years. Students take some cies, but we also had a therapeutic rec- ation.
offer SAF-accredited recreation programs. courses with the forestry and wildlife stu- reation program. We’re actually smaller What is important to our program
(“Implementing Sustainable Recreation on dents, such as dendrology, forest ecology, now, because we chose to focus on natural is that it has a very strong component of
the National Forest System: Aligning the and silviculture. But then our students get resources–based recreation and tourism; natural resources–management, because
Reality and Promise,” an essay by Selin a big dose of human dimensions and out- plus, there’s lot more competition for ma- we are in the School of Forest Resources.
from SAF’s new book, 193 Million Acres: door planning, GIS systems, and natural jors. We’ve been steady—right around 90 Students come out having a good founda-
Toward a Healthier and More Resilient US resources–communication skills. Within students—for the last four to five years. tion in resource management. To me, it’s a
Forest Service, appears on page 1.) the program itself, they take an Introduc- good foundation to have in outdoor rec-
tion to Recreation, Parks, and Tourism When students graduate from WVU, what reation–management, in terms of under-
Our conversations have been edited class, which gives them the idea of all careers can they chose among? standing the environment in which that’s
for clarity and length. the different career tracks. Students also We are definitely training professionals taking place.
learn how to work with partners. It used and leaders to work in the outdoor-recre- We have a bachelor of science in
West Virginia University to be Forest Service recreation staff would ation and public land–management fields. parks, recreation, and tourism, but stu-
WVU offers a bachelor of science degree in do everything themselves, but these days, Our students have gone on to be national dents can go in three different directions.
recreation, parks, and tourism resources. you have to work with others. Students parks superintendents, directors of coun- One is the parks and recreation manage-
learn how to build collaborative relation- ty park systems, recreation staff officers ment, which has always been a core piece
When did your program start? ships, manage volunteer programs, and for national forests, and extension leaders. of the program. We created two concen-
Selin: Our Recreation, Parks, and Tourism work through other people, as well as do- A lot of our students end up working in trations: conservation law for those who
Resources program goes back to 1947, ing the job themselves. public affairs, where there’s a lot of inter- are more interested in law and policy as-
but it wasn’t in the Division of Forestry An important aspect of our curricu- action with people. We’ve placed a num- pects, and nature-based tourism.
and Natural Resources, as it currently is. lum beyond the core classes is the three ber of students in programs like the Park
It started in the Physical Education De- areas of concentration that students can Service’s Rivers Trails and Conservation What prompted the creation of these two
partment, and it was more focused on pursue. One is the traditional parks and Assistance Program. other concentrations?
recreation within physical education in outdoor recreation concentration; a sec- I tell incoming students and par- We found, for students who are interest-
schools, like K-12. It wasn’t until 1969, ond one is sustainable tourism develop- ents that all our students and faculty and ed in conservation law, that they needed
when the college was going through a ment; and the third one is the adventure alumni are passionate about connecting more background in sociology and crim-
major reorganization, that the entire de- education or experimental education, like people to nature. Public engagement has inal law. For the nature-based tourism
partment transferred to the Division of Outward Bound or Adventure STEM. become a more-important part of a nat- concentration, we had students who were
Forestry and Natural Resources. We’ve We’ve got a couple of faculty who are in- ural-resources professional’s job descrip- very interested in business development.
always been accredited by the National terested in sustainable-tourism develop- tion. That’s something we all share across We worked with the Maine Business
Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA), ment in the United States and globally, our program. School, so students receive a minor in
and since 2008, also have been accredited and that’s a growing area and students are business administration as part of their
by the Society of American Foresters. interested in it. What is the career outlook for the recre- bachelor’s degree. The other neat thing
Somewhat unique to our program, ation industry? about that concentration is that they can
How has the program evolved over the we have a 400-hour internship capstone I think it’s very robust and more diversi- go back to school and get their MBA in
years? our students complete after their junior fied than it used to be. When recreation one year. That’s a real attractive feature for
Before 2008, the program wasn’t well in- year. Most of them do it in the summer, was better funded within the Forest Ser- some students.
tegrated with the other natural resources– when they work for a parks, recreation, or vice and other public land–management Because we’re an accredited program
management majors (wildlife and fisheries conservation organization. We’ve had so agencies, a lot of our students could be
resources; forest resources management; many students who have translated that guaranteed to get a job within the federal
EDUCATION Q Page 19
D
ue to ever-changing and more- agency-centric decisionmaking, sharing
complex conservation and social leadership with a range of stewards might
issues, interdisciplinary, partner- be a challenging transition. How can the
driven approaches are increasingly im- Forest Service recruit and cultivate leaders
portant to the way the US Forest Service who are collaborative team workers and
(USFS) accomplishes its mission and stra- team builders and who share leadership,
tegic plan. Under the USFS strategic plan, power, and decisionmaking space? How
the agency and its partners are coming can the agency incentivize and reward
up with innovative programs to leverage personnel for growing and advancing
resources to ensure that landscape-level partnerships? And how can partnerships
conservation efforts are a success. A great be sustained over time, given staff turn-
example is the USFS Southern Region and over and a workforce whose capacity is al-
Student Conservation Association (SCA) ready stretched? A commitment to shared
Integrated Fire and Recreation Internship stewardship causes us to reflect on the
(IFRI) program, which was developed in need to enhance our capacity to ensure
response to the 2016 National Forest Sys- strong partner relations.
tem Trails Stewardship Act.
The act calls on USFS “to improve Shared Stewardship Networks
trail maintenance by addressing opportu- Shared stewardship for recreation takes
nities to use fire crews in trail maintenance many forms. Networks of partners operate
activities that do not jeopardize firefight- on different temporal and spatial scales,
ing capabilities, public safety, or resource and vary based on management needs.
protection.” The goal of this call to action Integrated Fire and Recreation Internship program participant Anna Sharier worked on a handcrew sup-
These are examples of the types of recre-
is to help USFS tackle a $314-million porting suppression efforts on the 2018 Cabin Lake Fire in the White River National Forest. Photo courtesy of ation networks:
backlog in trail maintenance and increase Anna Sharier.
the number of trails meeting agency stan- • State offices of outdoor recre-
dards (currently 25 percent, according to ation: Since 2013, about a dozen
Forest Service Trails: Long- and Short-Term states have developed offices of
Improvements Could Reduce Maintenance outdoor recreation, recognizing the
Backlog and Enhance System Sustainability, benefits of a nature-based tourism
US Government Accountability Office, economy and the need to facilitate
2013). sustainable recreation and tourism
The intent of the IFRI program is to development. State agencies link
complete mission-critical work in fire and statewide initiatives in outdoor
recreation while providing young adults recreation, tourism, rural economies,
with a high-quality internship experi- and resource conservation, focusing
ence, giving them the training and skill on cross-boundary coordination of
building needed to effectively compete investments and marketing.
for permanent positions throughout the • State, regional, and local tourism
agency. The USFS Southern Region and planning entities: Tourism planning
SCA launched a 2018 pilot project that by local and regional entities, such as
involved hosting a diverse group of 15 Integrated Fire and Recreation Internship program participants experienced a live-fire field exercise during chambers of commerce, destination
young adults, 18–30 years of age, in inte- their training on the Pisgah National Forest. Photo: US Forest Service Southern Region. marketing groups, rural-development
grated fire and trails internships through- agencies, and trade associations are
out the region. The opportunity was of- fires. During the pilot project, interns to train the next generation of conserva- increasingly working to integrate
fered to individuals who have completed served on fire crews and engines on large tion stewards while assessing the fit and and coordinate recreation-promo-
a bachelor’s or associate’s degree and have wildfires in California, Colorado, and potential of individual interns. If intern tion efforts with land-management
a background in natural-resources man- Montana. Interns were immersed in a and USFS interests align, then the Public agencies.
agement. Upon completion of 640 hours fast-paced learning and work environ- Land Corps Hiring Authority can be used • Recreation collaboratives: Collab-
of service in the IFRI program, interns are ment with firefighters from all over the to help interns gain permanent employ- orative groups consisting of conser-
eligible for the Public Land Corps hiring country and abroad. After her wildfire ment with USFS. vation organizations, activity-based
authority, which enables them to apply to experience, Anna Sharier, a former IFRI Whether it be digging a drainage groups, state and local agencies,
federal land-management jobs with merit intern, said, “I loved it! It was hard work ditch to improve a trail or building a con- and community-based organizations
status, thus providing the interns a bet- and really intense sometimes, but every trol line for a prescribed burn or wildfire, form to plan and manage outdoor
ter pathway toward securing permanent day was an adventure, and I was always IFRI interns are advancing the USFS mis- recreation across boundaries to work
employment. learning!” sion, one swing of the Pulaski at a time, toward common goals for recreation
With the success of the pilot project, While this program supports the ac- and leaders with the program hope to infrastructure, planning, employment,
the program is currently in its second year, complishment of the USFS’s mission-criti- grow and expand it to other regions with- restoration, communication, and
with interns hosted across the Southeast cal work and incident response, it also has in the agency. public engagement.
from the Ozarks in Arkansas to the Pied- the deep impact of developing our future • Trail partnerships: Many nationally
mont of the Carolinas. The interns engage leaders for generations to come. Ginelle Heller is a fire and aviation designated trails and trail networks
in resource-management projects, such as Throughout their internship experi- workforce development manager. Kelly L Bal- cross multiple jurisdictions and are
trails management, developed recreation, ence, interns see firsthand what a career carczyk is a volunteer and service program supported by conservancy groups that
habitat restoration, prescribed burning, with USFS could offer them. When asked manager with the US Forest Service’s South- formally facilitate partnerships among
and the construction of fire-control lines about his IFRI experience, Rod Murray III ern Region. land-management agencies, private
and firebreaks. When fire danger is high said, “IFRI taught me a lot about who I landowners, and tribal groups.
and a wildfire breaks out, interns serve on wanted to be and helped me put together Link to SAF Journals • Public-private partnerships: Part-
hand crews or with engines in the South- a more-concrete plan of how I wanted to Digital editions and archives of the Journal of nerships with government, nongovern-
east. shape my career.” Forestry are available at academic.oup.com/ mental organizations, private-industry
The IFRI program also provides in- In addition to helping interns, the jof and Forest Science at academic.oup.com/
forestscience.
terns with experience on western wild- IFRI program gives USFS the opportunity STEWARDSHIP Q Page 18
July 2019 13
RECREATION
F
ederal land-management agencies sustainable options to reroute this trail to Forest and were tasked with transporting ational experiences on public land.
rely heavily on volunteers and part- another location. After an interdisciplinary all materials into the project site so TNC The Nature Conservancy obtained a
ners to accomplish recreational proj- environmental analysis, the Forest Service staff and volunteers could construct the special-use permit to have a film crew on
ects on public lands. In October 2018, decided on the installation of the step-and- boardwalk. site to document the project. See tinyurl
nearly 400 feet of boardwalk were installed run boardwalk to address resource needs, Over the course of four days, all ma- .com/y57vamka.
along the popular White Deer Lake Trail protect wilderness character, and improve terials were transported to the project site —Submitted by Melissa Simpson, Ag-
in the McCormick Wilderness Area on the the recreational experience for visitors. and nearly all of the boardwalk was con- riculture Conservation Experienced Services
Ottawa National Forest in Michigan’s Up- Federal regulations do not allow mo- structed by TNC. Some minor construction program national coordinator, US Forest Ser-
per Peninsula. This is the first project com- torized- or mechanized-equipment use to complete this project remains, as weath- vice.
pleted as part of a dynamic stewardship within wilderness, so the entire project had er conditions deteriorated and prevented
agreement with The Nature Conservancy to be completed using traditional tools and installation of the final, short segment. The
(TNC), which allows both parties to col- nonmotorized transportation. The project team worked in snow and rain, but were
laborate on a variety of restoration projects area was located more than 3.5 miles from able to enjoy beautiful fall colors.
across the Ottawa National Forest. Stew- the trailhead, so the Forest staff looked at This was a truly unique project on
ardship agreements allow funds generated several options for transporting the materi- the Ottawa National Forest and required
from timber sales to be used on natural re- als to the site. They considered hauling in a multitude of logistical planning and col-
source–related projects on a national forest. materials with sled-dog teams, a mule pack laboration. TNC also coordinated the use
The timber program on the Ottawa is very string, and volunteers. For the best site ac- of locally sourced cedar that was milled lo-
active, allowing new funding opportunities cess and fewest trips into the wilderness, cally and prepared for the site. The work
to enhance recreational resources through the Forest and TNC starting looking for a accomplished through TNC stewardship
the use of stewardship agreements. pack string to work on the project. Work- agreement has provided multiple benefits
Beaver activity within the wilderness ing with stock in the eastern US is not very to the Ottawa’s natural resources, as well as
has caused severe flooding of the White common; the Hoosier National Forest in improved access for visitors who use this
Deer Lake Trail over the last decade. Flood- Indiana has the only mule pack string east area and enjoy the wilderness experience
ing, along with the topography in the area, of the Mississippi River, and the string was that McCormick Wilderness provides. This
has caused visitors to create several social not available for the project. is a great example of what collaborating
trails to avoid the flooding and navigate Through networking with Forest Ser- with partners and other national forests
through the steep terrain. The increased vice recreational staff around the country, can accomplish to protect natural resources This mule is loaded and ready for the trail. Photo by
presence of social trails was threatening a the Shoshone National Forest in Wyoming and provide quality and sustainable recre- Creative Fauna.
Regional Forester Sensitive Species Plant in and its pack string were called upon to as-
the wetland and causing severe erosion in sist with the project. A team of four Sho-
the area. Due to the topography and sur- shone National Forest staff, 10 mules, and
rounding habitat, there were no safe or four horses arrived on the Ottawa National
Subscribe to Loading mules with timbers for building a boardwalk, Ottawa National Forest in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Photo by Creative Fauna.
National Woodlands Magazine,
the forestry magazine with the largest
paper circulation the U.S.
Each 64-page quarterly issue features one of the four
forest eco-zones (North, East, West, South), plus
national news, special features and articles.
Nature Conservancy staff and volunteers build the boardwalk. Photo by Creative Fauna.
I
n June of 1991, I started out on the
Lassen National Forest as a biological
aid, calling northern California spot-
ted owls so that areas could be set aside
for the owls within timber-sale boundar-
ies. The next season, I became a forestry
technician and performed timber-sale
improvement work, such as planting
trees in clearcut areas and inspecting
thinning projects.
But I really wanted to work on trail
systems. That’s why I sought out a posi-
tion with the Forest Service in the first
place.
I spent almost 10 years working in
the stock-options markets in Chicago
and San Francisco and decided I wanted
to do something “nicer” as my career. I
had hiked on vacations on national-forest
trail systems, and my desire was to help
keep trails open and maintained, because
I enjoyed them so much. However, with
no experience, I could not obtain a job
A trail on the Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico. Photo: US Forest Service Southern Region.
in trails even at an entry level, but en-
try-level positions in Wildlife and Timber visitor information. Each day, I would de- manent appointment in recreation, on vehicles have increased in size, some
were available. On the Lassen National cide which trail I would hike and main- the Hoosier National Forest in Indiana. enormously, and our campgrounds were
Forest, I would volunteer on days off to tain based on needs. I felt so good about Whew, that only took 10 years! I manage built in the 1970s, when small pop-up
assist the trails technician with wilder- what I was able to accomplish, either by the developed and dispersed recreation, campers were popular. Campground
ness patrol and trail work within the Car- myself or leading the interns. With trail as well as trails on the Tell City Ranger loop roads are narrow, and the campsite
ibou Wilderness and other trails on the work, you see immediate results. District. At just over 200,000 acres, the spurs are not always long enough to ac-
Almanor Ranger District. I tracked and Eventually, I got into more-devel- Hoosier is relatively small, compared to commodate these new vehicles. One of
broke down wilderness campsites, did oped recreation on the Tonto National other national forests. At first, it took our solutions was to designate a partic-
leave-no-trace education and light trail Forest on the Cave Creek Ranger District, some getting used to, as I was accus- ular campsite loop with 10 pull-through
maintenance (cleaning waterbars, help- where I was responsible for four large rec- tomed to much-larger forests and more sites for longer RVs with electric and wa-
ing clear blowdown with a crosscut saw), reation areas: two on reservoirs, one on visitors, but this forest has grown on me. ter hookups. These sites get a lot of use.
installed trail signs, picked up trash, the Verde River, and a Civilian Conserva- We don’t have the pressure as on the Eventually, we would like to re-do the
talked to visitors, and checked on future tion Corps recreation area. I was not very Tonto National Forest. Most of our visi- roads and spurs in the main camp loops,
maintenance needs. I absolutely loved it involved in trails, except to help schedule tors are within a day’s driving distance— but of course, this costs a lot of money.
and looked forward to my volunteer days and keep track of maintenance trips into weekend warriors—or people passing In addition to my current position, I
in recreation. the Matzazal Wilderness and Cave Creek through on the I-64. I work with two completed two temporary promotion de-
After leaving the Lassen, I obtained trail systems, order trail signs, etc. I was forestry technicians, who maintain trails tails as a recreation program manager on
a position as a cooperative education stu- a volunteer coordinator, and I set up vol- and recreation areas. We also have a cad- the Monongahela and Lincoln National
dent with the Forest Service’s Northeast- unteer projects on trails and recreation re of seasonal and Youth Conservation Forests. In these positions, I was respon-
ern State and Private Forestry division areas and kept track of volunteer records Corps workers to help during the busier sible for the forests’ recreation programs.
in Morgantown, West Virginia, where I and annual reports. summer season. These experiences allowed me to see the
obtained a master’s degree in forest recre- On the Hoosier, some of the recre- recreation resource from the big-picture
ation management. Between semesters, I A Whole Different Ball Game ation areas are much more developed standpoint, and I worked with the bud-
worked with the state and private forest- I must say developed recreation was a than I was accustomed to. We have gets more than I was used to—it was
ry field office. My desire to work on trails whole different ball game. Since the Cave three large recreation areas with electric eye-opening.
was still very strong, so I volunteered Creek Ranger District is adjacent to the and water campsites, shower buildings, I didn’t get into recreation to work
on the Monongahela National Forest Phoenix metro area, most of my time was a swimming beach, and other features, on budgets, but of course, the higher up
in the Seneca Creek backcountry area, spent picking up after visitors and clean- including a historic house at one of the you go, the less you work on the ground.
doing trail maintenance, installing trail ing recreation areas, including many lakes that serves as a meeting place and I don’t do trail maintenance anymore—I
signs, picking up litter, breaking down toilets. My first supervisor dubbed recre- visitor center for educational programs. coordinate it and supervise it and con-
campsites, doing trail inventory, and pro- ation work as “toilets and garbage”—and Of course, the more-developed areas tract it. The older I get, the less I am able
viding visitor information. My coopera- he was right! This was the beginning of require greater maintenance and more to do the intensely physical work, but I
tive-education position ended in 1995, the Fee Demo program, the precursor to funding to operate. Since we are a smaller still oversee and enjoy the accomplish-
but a government shutdown blocked the Federal Lands Recreation Enhance- forest, our budget is tight. I have to pri- ments we make as a team.
my hoped-for appointment to a perma- ment Act, and I had the opportunity to oritize what is going to be fixed or main- I recommend the Forest Service
nent position. However, this turned out furnish campgrounds with amenities tained or enhanced or built. This can be as a great agency to work for. We have
to be for the good, as I obtained my first from the program income. I did enjoy very frustrating, as I would like to see it our ups and downs, but on the whole,
seasonal trails position on the Potomac that part of the job, but the litter pick- all in great shape, but that is not reality. it’s been a great experience working with
Ranger District in the Dolly Sods Wilder- up and toilet cleaning got old. It’s not We have spent a lot of money on replac- dedicated people who have a passion for
ness area and Seneca backcountry. This glamorous work by any means. It never ing old wooden vault-toilet buildings natural resources. You just have to learn
was probably my favorite position in the ended, and accomplishments were short with either precast concrete buildings to be patient and persevere.
Forest Service. I worked primarily by -lived—until the next group of visitors or constructed stone buildings. We have
myself, with the exception of two Penn came. I admit, I started to develop a very many other aging facilities and nowhere Nancy Myers is a natural resources
State interns for part of the season. I did negative view of the human race. near the funding to replace them. specialist on the Hoosier National Forest in
trail maintenance, trail inventory, and In 2001, I finally achieved a per- Over the years, the recreational Indiana.
July 2019 15
MARTIN NOTEBOOK
bicycles]. The public is telling us that they taining shrub-dominated habitat over the
Q From Page 4 Q From Page 2
are interested in using e-bikes in different longer term. (Note that Faison’s letter erro-
ways, so we have to determine what that neously refers to deer browse as an “ecologi-
ally still in the planning stage, so I don’t means for our policies for public engage- sites and facilities for outdoor recreation cal process.” In fact, it is an ecological driver,
have a list of accomplishments yet, but ment with national-forest lands. in the US than any other single organi- which is quite different from a process.)
I will say that we are working with our As technology continues to evolve, zation. The agency manages more than The center of the debate appears to be
partners in all of the 15 areas to figure out we will need to stay true to our mission of 158,000 miles of trails for walking, hik- whether or not moderate-browse impacts
what our priorities are. And we’re looking ensuring that the public will always have ing, horseback riding, biking, and us- are a concern in the oak/hickory and ma-
at alternative sources of funding, such as access to national-forest lands in ways that ing off-highway-vehicles, and more than ple/beech/birch forests of the Midwest and
the National Forest System Trail Steward- are relevant to them. 27,000 campgrounds, picnic areas, inter- Northeast. The browse-impact definitions are
ship Partnership Funding Program, which pretive site, and other facilities. foundational within silvicultural research for
lets us leverage Forest Service money by Of course, many other agencies pro- the Midwest and Northeast. Moderate im-
CHOJNACKY
about seven to one—for every dollar of vide recreational opportunities: The Na- pacts are not considered conducive to regen-
Q From Page 11
taxpayer money, our partners are able to tional Park Service reported nearly 331 eration establishment and development. For
bring in seven extra dollars to apply to- million visits in 2017, more than double example, the definition of moderate impact
ward trails. cators to Protect and Sustain Expe- the 149 million annual visits to National includes a lack of stump sprouts. Our tenet
By the way, the US Forest Service riences in the Eastern Arctic of the Forest System lands. The Bureau of Land is that managers should work to balance deer
manages about 138,000 miles of trails, Nunavut.” 2007. Environ. Manag. Management reported nearly 67.5 million food with tree-seedling regeneration to pro-
and that’s the largest trail network in the 40:880–888. visits in 2017. vide both wildlife habitat and secure regener-
nation. Watson, A., and D. Williams. 1995. Pri- State and local governments also pro- ation. Including moderate impacts is a signal
orities for Human Experience Research vide a vast array of recreational opportuni- that forest managers should consider local
What changes in recreation do you see in Wilderness. Trends in Wilderness Re- ties. A June 5, 2019, article in the New York impacts before making prescriptions.
coming down the trail over the next 10 or search. Aldo Leopold Research Insti- Times, “Wherever You Are, There’s a State The open-source data set we used is
20 years? tution Publication #261. Volume 32 Park Nearby,” notes that there are 8,565 collected consistently across state boundar-
What I hope won’t change is that recre- No. 1:14–18. state parks across the country. Cities and ies and is applicable for Faison’s objectives
ation will continue to be the number one Wuethner, G. Feb. 18. 2019. Comments counties, too, are key recreation-site pro- because NRS-FIA [Northern Research Sta-
way that people connect with their land in in The Smokey Wire: National Forest viders. My county, Clackamas County, Or- tion–Forest Inventory and Analysis Program]
general, and specifically, with their pub- News and Views, https://tinyurl.com/ egon, operates 13 parks, including three has a vegetation profile collocated with the
lic lands. I hope that that connection will y3f3uako. campgrounds and four boat ramps. tree-seedling and browse protocols. Anyone
continue to lead to a deep sense of caring Add private landowners large and small interested in this topic can generate their
for and stewardship of our lands in gen- to the list. American Forest Management, own map, assumptions, and conclusions for a
eral. Rayonier, and PotlatchDeltic are a few of the range of forest understory–health issues.
As technology changes, we will have Link to SAF Journals larger ones that open their lands for recre- Although the science problem, goal, and
to continue to monitor trends and adapt, Digital editions and archives of the ation. See Andrea Watts’ article on page 6 for objectives are clearly stated in the report, they
so that we can make sure that the way Journal of Forestry are available at a look at how Weyerhaeuser, Port Blakely, were not clear enough in the article. I hope
people connect with their lands remains academic.oup.com/jof and For- and Hancock Natural Resource Group are that my attempt to edify this shortcoming
relevant for them. For example, one of the est Science at academic.oup.com/ managing recreation on their lands. has satisfied Faison. I owe him thanks for his
issues that we’re dealing with today is the forestscience. Recreation in forests and on range- patience and am honored he took the time to
use of “e-bikes” [electric-motor-assisted lands still calls to me. I don’t keep camp- review the article.
ing gear in my SUV, a 20-year-old Ford
Explorer, but I head for a campground or
a backcountry trail as often as work and
family obligations allow. Two or three
S I LV I AT E R R A days amongst the trees never seem like
enough.
BASEMAP
LETTER
Q From Page 2
Forest inventory forr every Redding, Connecticut; highstead.net retired agency leaders, including two
former chiefs, as well as longtime outside
McWilliams responds: It comes as no observers. The purpose of the book is not
Acre,, Stand & Parce
el surprise that Faison disagrees with conclu-
sions in the article because we have different
to criticize the agency, but to offer
concrete proposals for how, ultimately, the
objectives. The central restoration manage- agency’s operations might be made more
in
n the US. ment objective described in “A Regeneration efficient and effective and its land-
management activities maintained,
Indicator for Forest Inventory and Analysis:
expanded, and improved. In short, the
History, Sampling, Estimation, Analytics, and
objective of 193 Million Acres is to find
Potential Use in the Midwest and Northeast
paths toward a healthier and more resilient
W W W . S I LV I A T E R R A . C O M United States” (Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-148)
US Forest Service.
was to create sorely needed young-forest
habitat that would evolve into healthy closed-
canopy forest. Faison is interested in main- www.eforester.org/store
T
he Society of American Foresters he has worked for seven atocystis. He received the UH Cooperative throughout his management area.
will honor one member from each years. He implements Extension Service Outstanding Extension Jeff is creative in working to provide
of the 11 SAF voting districts with forest operations on Faculty of the Year Award in 2018. He has wildlife diversity in clear-cuts scheduled
the Presidential Field Forester Award at about 15,000 acres of been an officer in the Hawaii Chapter of to be planted, such as by leaving scattered
the 2019 SAF National Convention (www forestland in western Or- the Society of American Foresters, the Ha- snags lower than the helicopter spray
.safconvention.org), to be held October egon. The largest block waii Forest Institute, and the Friends of height, leaving some individual white
30–November 3 in Louisville, Kentucky. of land is the McDonald Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge. pine, or having the logger leave scattered
The award recognizes foresters who have Dunn Forest, the major teaching forest As part of his extension job, Dr. Fri- trees harvested at 10- to 15-foot heights.
dedicated their professional careers to the for the College of Forestry. The forest is day conducts applied research and has Jeff has always been a hard worker,
application of forestry on the ground us- visited by more than 150,000 recreational published numerous scientific and exten- but as far as a co-worker is concerned, he
ing sound, scientific methods and adap- visitors each year, so Steve’s work is often sion articles on Pacific Island dendrology, is the best. His unselfish work ethic rubs
tive management strategies. in the public eye. agroforestry, forest health, silviculture, off on all employees. For Jeff, there is no
SAF’s Board of Directors selects out- Steve previously worked for OSU’s forest soils, and forest restoration. thought of doing something at work for
standing field foresters from the voting College of Forestry as a faculty research personal gain, but always for the whole
districts they represent; each Board mem- assistant for a number of forest engineer- District 4 team and in the interest of long-term, sus-
ber is given the option of soliciting nomi- ing professors. He was responsible for the Crystal G. Tischler tainable timber management.
nations from state society chairs and, from field component of dozens of research Crystal is the New Mex- Jeff’s disarming and humble person-
these nominations, selecting a nominee projects throughout Oregon. Steve shines ico forest health aerial ality allows him to work across organiza-
for recognition, or using any other pro- in field sessions and tours, where he com- survey coordinator for tion lines to accomplish the greater good.
cesses that would identify a worthy candi- municates to students and the public what the Southwestern Region Although he admittedly misses field-
date based on the selection criteria. What is being done and why. of the US Forest Service. work, he genuinely enjoys mentoring and
follows is drawn from information provid- Steve embodies the intent of this She has completed the coaching the younger foresters coming up
ed by the districts. award: to recognize outstanding forestry continuing-education the ranks. If even a fraction of Jeff’s legacy
contributions in the field. Besides running requirements for becoming a certified carries on with the younger generations, it
District 1 on-the-ground operations, Steve tirelessly silviculturist, which requires completing will be a success for the industry.
Robert A. Obedzinski, CF works to mentor OSU students and teach a demanding regimen of graduate-level
Bob retired from the US Forest Service in the community about OSU’s use of forest coursework and defending a detailed silvi- District 6
2009 as a silviculture forester. He currently science, adaptive management, and forest cultural prescription. Crystal is currently Leonard J. Cronin, CF
owns and operates Silviculture Solutions sustainability. working to complete her certification by Leonard Cronin has nearly 30 years of
LLC, a consultancy based in Olympia, Steve received the 2016 Oregon State gaining practical field experience and is “boots on the ground” experience in the
Washington. Bob is a dedicated, energet- Forester of the Year award, served as the developing her detailed silvicultural pre- Adirondacks and upstate New York. His
ic, and self-motivated professional forest- OSAF State Chair in 2016, and represent- scription. She is pursuing this while con- leadership at Finch Paper, currently as
er with 45 years of experience in forest ed SAF regionally as the Northwest Office currently helping with reforestation needs chief forester, has directly contributed to
management and arboriculture, special- Chair for 2017 and 2018. He is a tireless assessments and developing silvicultural the excellent forest condition of the pre-
izing in the development of management advocate of the Society of American For- project prescriptions throughout several viously owned company lands, most of
plans, silvicultural prescriptions, and sale esters, sustainable forestry practices, and national forests in Arizona and New Mex- which are now owned by the state.
preparation to meet objectives ranging adaptive management through engineer- ico. Len’s dedication to the profession
from habitat and riparian restoration to ing enhancements. Besides being actively In her nearly 10 years as forest goes beyond his responsibilities at Finch.
maximizing growth and yield on forests engaged in SAF, Steve is also heavily in- health aerial survey coordinator, she has He always takes time to mentor young
of the western and eastern Cascades and volved in the Council for Forest Engineer- been responsible for aerial surveys and foresters just starting their career and is
the Rocky Mountains. He is experienced ing and a variety of community groups, ground-truthing to compile the annual active in his promotion of the profession
in the ecological systems of both xeric including youth education and a local Li- reports for forest insect and disease activ- throughout the community. He is actively
and mesic forests in Oregon, Washington, ons Club. ities. She has been dedicated to making a involved in SAF, participates in education-
Idaho, and northwest Montana. He has difference by consulting with other field al events at the Wanakena Ranger School,
strong working knowledge of silviculture District 3 foresters to review and visit the survey and has made numerous presentations
systems, insect and disease concerns, and James B. Friday sites to better improve the survey meth- on forest management to university, high
the tools necessary to effectively manage J. B. Friday has been odology, and to transfer this information school, and elementary students.
these forestlands, with extensive experi- practicing forestry since to local managers. As chair of the Adirondack SAF chap-
ence in silviculture prescription prepara- he graduated from the Crystal earned a bachelor’s degree in ter, Len has organized numerous events to
tion, watershed analysis, budget coordina- Yale University’s School forestry from Stephen F. Austin State Uni- advance the profession and provide those
tion, forest inventory design and analysis, of Forestry and Environ- versity in 2001. From 2002 to 2008, she much-needed continuing-education op-
timber sale preparation, logging systems, mental Studies in 1985. worked as a forester for Colorado State portunities to the membership. He also
and planning. His first forestry job Forest Service, where she focused primar- has worked tirelessly as a member of the
Bob has worked tirelessly for the was with the US Peace Corps, where he ily on the pilot Good Neighbor Agreement Executive Committee. In addition, Len
American Tree Farm System. He trains worked as a village-level extension forester program. Her future career goals are to works on numerous aspects of the NYSAF
foresters who are responsible for inspect- for three years in the Philippines, demon- stay with the US Forest Service and work annual meeting, including recruiting ven-
ing individual Tree Farms so that they can strating agroforestry techniques and tree on a ranger district as a silviculturist or dors and sponsors.
maintain their certification. He encourag- planting. After he finished his service, he continue aerial survey work in a different Len was recognized by NYSAF as New
es foresters to work with landowners to joined the Peace Corps staff and spent a region or at the national level. York Forester of the Year in 2017, which
achieve compliance with the standards of year teaching agroforestry extension to in- Crystal served as secretary/treasurer is intended “to recognize outstanding con-
the system. As the certification standards coming volunteers. for the New Mexico Chapter of SAF in tributions to the practice and profession of
are revised and updated, Bob makes sure Upon returning to the US, J. B. en- 2016 and 2017. forestry, the conservation and stewardship
that the certifying foresters are up-to-date rolled at the University of Hawaii to study of forest resources in New York, and the
in their understanding of the different agroforestry, conducted several agroforest- District 5 objectives of the Society of American For-
standards and able to communicate them ry field studies on the island of Kauai, and Jeffrey Joseph esters.” Len was recognized again in 2018
to the landowners. received his doctorate in 1998. He then Before his promotion to with the NYSAF Society Commendation
Bob brings a high level of profes- joined the faculty of the University as a the harvesting and sil- Award for his “extraordinary efforts and
sionalism, as well as a sincere love of the first extension forester. In addition to his viculture supervisor for significant contributions in support of the
forest. He embodies the Society of Amer- ongoing work in the Philippines, J. B. has Weyerhaeuser’s L’Anse, Society and/or the forestry profession.”
ican Foresters’ mission through his com- carried out agroforestry and reforestation Michigan, unit, he spent
mitment to helping others achieve their projects in East Timor and Micronesia. more than 30 years in District 7
land-management goals. J. B. received the State of Hawaii’s the field managing the Dennis M. Galway, CF
Greatest Hits award for his work to study company’s timberlands. Throughout his Dennis Galway began his forestry career
District 2 and combat a new and severe threat to tenure, Jeff has been known as a forest- in 1979 for the City of Newark as an as-
Stephen J. Pilkerton, CF Hawaii’s most common native tree, Metro- er’s forester. He used his experience and sistant forester in the Newark Watershed.
Steve is a forest engineer for Oregon State sideros polymorpha, or ohia, in the form of education to implement practical, prof- Following two years there, he became
University’s (OSU) research forests, where a vascular wilt caused by the fungus Cer- itable, creative, and ethical management a section fire warden for the New Jersey
July 2019 17
Forest Fire Service as he many thousands of acres of applied for- County, Georgia. He now provides con- Future Directions
completed his bachelor’s estry, and many private landowners who sulting services to individual and institu- As the Forest Service charts its path to-
of science degree in nat- have not only have well-managed forests, tional landowners in Alabama, Arkansas, ward truly sharing stewardship for rec-
ural resource manage- but also a much better understanding of Georgia, and Tennessee. reation, it faces many philosophical and
ment from Cook College their forests and the practical application John is a member of the Association pragmatic questions. How does the agen-
at Rutgers University in of forestry. of Consulting Foresters and was twice cy truly share power in its stewardship, as
1981. In that year, he appointed by Georgia governors to serve it moves away from “we do it all” to “we
started Galway Forestry Services, where District 9 on the Georgia State Board of Registration are all part of it”? Cultural change occurs
he continues to practice. Dennis conducts Janet A. Egar for Foresters. He has served as chair of the slowly, and growing pains are to be ex-
forest inventories, writes management Janet Egar began work- Environmental Committees of both the pected as the agency shifts the way it does
plans, marks (and often cuts) forest stand ing for the Indiana Divi- Georgia and Alabama Forestry Associa- business and re-envisions its place among
improvement, conducts competing un- sion of Forestry in 1978 tions and as executive committee chair of partners. How can the agency better ad-
derstory vegetation control and pruning, as a YACC program the Auburn University Silvicultural Herbi- dress entrenched institutional memory
and participates in other wildlife habitat– crew leader, then moved cide Cooperative, and served three terms and plan for succession in partnerships?
management activities. up to timber techni- on the Harris County Planning Commis- What institutional frameworks are need-
Dennis has a reputation for serving cian and later worked sion. ed to sustain partnerships that aspire to
private landowners well and having a as a resource specialist for four separate Since his days a forestry student, be inclusive, so that public lands can be
fiercely loyal client base. His devotion to state-forest properties before moving to John’s ethical standards and natural lead- truly democratic and egalitarian places?
quality field forestry is best illustrated by the Cooperative Forest Management sec- ership skills earned the respect of his How can it address environmental in-
his leadership in the American Tree Farm tion in 1993. For more than 25 years, peers across the South. justices related to the amount of social,
System, where he currently serves as chair she has provided professional field-for- cultural, and financial capital that com-
of the New Jersey Tree Farm Program Inc. estry assistance to landowners in south- District 11 munity partners bring to many shared
Under his leadership, the program has ern Indiana as a district forester. She has Michael A. Blazier tables across the country? Do agency lan-
focused on quality on-the-ground educa- influenced thousands of landowners and As a faculty member with guage practices alienate some partners by
tional programs for private landowners, helped manage hundreds of thousands Louisiana State Univer- calling upon specific cultural models of
and is where best practices can be shared of forested acres. Her legacy will improve sity, Michael Blazier is a human-nature relationships (such as the
for each others’ benefit. Many of Dennis’s and enhance the forest of southern Indi- specialist in extension dominion implicit in the term “steward-
clients have hosted Tree Farm Day events, ana for centuries. forestry who focuses on ship”)? How can the Forest Service share
and Dennis’s quality silvicultural prescrip- Janet has earned recognition and herbicides, density man- decision-space with groups that have
tions have served as well-regarded field awards from her peers and others over the agement, and agroforest- been historically marginalized and have
tours. years. One of her most treasured awards ry. His career began in 1997, and since not seen public lands as theirs to share in
Although Dennis has held a wide va- was her recognition as a Fellow with the then he has managed university forests at the first place?
riety of positions within Allegheny SAF Society of American Foresters in 2006. the Hill Farm Station and the Calhoun Re- The Forest Service is grappling with
and its New Jersey Division, he is clear- Some of the other honors she has received search Station, together comprising sever- these questions as it navigates how to
ly his most passionate when engaging in include the Division of Forestry Employee al hundred acres of forests that are used share in stewardship networks that har-
program work (specifically educational of the Year Award in 2004, District For- for research and extension purposes. Bla- ness local communities’ expertise and
programs for field foresters) and policy ester of the Year in 1996 and 2000, and zier is a frequently requested speaker for interests. Recreation is a primary connec-
work (where he is able to provide a voice the Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners at extension meetings or technical talks tion people forge with public lands; it of-
for field foresters). Association Professional Foresters Award for field foresters from all employment fers powerful inroads for engaging more
in 2003. sectors. people in sharing in their stewardship.
District 8 Janet has mentored several young for- Michael’s work focuses on intensive As people get to know and deeply value
Jeffery L. Pardue, CF esters over the years. Some of these for- management, with respect to silvicultural special places on public lands through
From a nomination letter esters have become valued employees of treatments for both hardwoods and soft- their outdoor experiences, these connec-
written by W. Andrew Ca- the Division of Forestry and others have woods, typical of Louisiana. His work has tions can be a precursor for stewardship.
sey, ACF, CF: I first met moved on the other employment. been applied by small landowners all the When communities and people who care
Jeff in 1984, when I was a Janet Egar joined SAF in 1978 and way up to corporate landowners. In short, about their public lands become part of
forestry student at North since then has served as Indiana SAF sec- his management strategies are being or a network of stewards, we gain capacity
Carolina State University. retary, treasurer, vice-chair, and chair, as have been applied to thousands of acres of to complete shared objectives, but more
We were introduced by a well as on the Nominating and Teller’s forests in the state and surrounding states. important, we build relationships and cul-
mutual friend, and I soon found myself Committees. Janet became a SAF Fellow For his contributions to the forest- tivate a shared passion for our forests and
working on holidays hugging trees while in 2006, and she served from 2007 to ry profession, Michael has been honored grasslands that endure well beyond specif-
Jeff tallied. That work turned into a sum- 2011 as a member of the District Fellow’s through awards from Louisiana SAF, Okla- ic projects and initiatives.
mer job and then, following my gradua- Committee. homa SAF, and Arkansas SAF. He has also
tion from NCSU, a full-time position as been a Louisiana SAF meeting chair and Monika Derrien and Lee Cerveny are re-
a forester. While my employment for Jeff District 10 has served as president and vice-president search social scientists at the Forest Service’s
only lasted a year or so, our friendship has John R. Britt of the North Louisiana Chapter. He was Pacific Northwest Research Station. Michiko
continued. John Britt earned a BS in forest manage- an associate editor of the Southern Journal Martin is the agency’s director of recreation,
We have been competitors for more ment from Clemson in 1987, followed by of Applied Forestry and is currently an as- heritage, and volunteer resources. Matt Arnn
than 20 years, with our own consulting an MS in forestry from Auburn in 1989. sociate editor of silviculture for Forest Sci- is a landscape architect based at the agency’s
forestry practices, and for most of that He has been an innovative and effective ence. He has published 37 peer-reviewed national headquarters in Washington, DC.
time, our offices have only been a few forester throughout his career. John be- research articles.
blocks apart. Even as a competitor, Jeff gan his career with Mead Corporation
has always taken time to discuss a silvicul- upon graduation from Auburn and re- SAF News
tural concern or answer a question about mained with them for 17 years in roles The Forestry Source welcomes ar-
the practical side of running a consulting of increasing responsibility. He focused STEWARDSHIP
business. primarily on regeneration activities from Q From Page 13 ticles and ideas for the SAF News
Jeff has been an active SAF member, 1992 to 2004, during which time Mead’s section, which is devoted to ar-
both on the chapter and state level. He is performance in this area became one of groups, foundations, and investors ticles about the activities and ac-
a North Carolina Registered Forester, an the best-recognized models in the South. help envision, restore, protect, and
SAF Certified Forester, and a member of His management responsibilities included enhance public recreation resources
complishments by SAF members,
the Association of Consulting Foresters. regeneration and young stand silviculture through new models for financing chapters, or groups that highlight
Most important, Jeff has been work- across 540,000 acres, including a 20-acre infrastructure projects. good forestry, enhance public un-
ing with private landowners to plan and seed orchard. In 2004, John stepped up to • Public-public partnerships:
derstanding of forests and forest
implement forest-management practices the position of lead forester, which added Intergovernmental partnerships serve
for almost 40 years. There is no more ef- timber harvest and budget duties. locally identified needs, supporting management, and provide service
fective way to apply good forest-manage- With the merger of Mead and West- seasonal tourism and recreational to the Society and society. Contact
ment practices than one landowner at a vaco in 2007, John departed and found- visitor volumes, investing in trail Steve Wilent, Editor, 503-622-
time and one job at a time. For Jeff, that ed his own forestry consulting company, systems, and enhancing information
adds up to a whole lot of worn out boots, John Britt & Associates LLC, in Harris services for visitors 3033, wilents@safnet.org.
July 2019 19
SAF CHAPTER RESOURCES
S
everal SAF initiatives over the past winter annual meeting. This is an issue we’re going to keep constraints. The resulting program con-
two years have endeavored to in- The previous chair, Jim Chattin, CF, on the table in Ohio. I’ve already talked to sisted of four main activities on the fol-
crease the diversity and inclusion of included a D&I session at last year’s an- our chair-elect, because this needs to be lowing topics: Respect, Identity, Privilege,
our membership and the forestry and nat- nual meeting that opened the door on part of our thought process. Our dealings and “World Café.” While we each took
ural-resources profession. These include this issue, and when planning this year’s with the rest of the world are part of the turns leading, all four activities required
the creation of the Diversity & Inclusion meeting, I thought, “We probably need science. It’s great if we understand the sil- significant effort from the participants.
(D&I) Working Group; D&I workshops to keep this on the table.” At the national viculture. I tell people I can turn an acre When presenting D&I material, it is
held at SAF National Conventions; the convention in Portland, I attended one of into timber in six different ways, depend- important for facilitators and participants
adoption of a statement on Diversity and the several sessions on diversity and in- ing upon what you want to do. Even if the to create and maintain a productive and
Inclusion; and, most recently, the adoption clusion, and later learned that Jamie Dahl, science is great, however, if we can’t sell safe space where people feel comfortable
of an anti-harassment policy (The Forestry who is a member of the Diversity & Inclu- the science to John Q Public, we’re kind to engage. We began the workshop by lay-
Source, June 2019, page 2). In addition to sion Working Group, is a member of our of spinning our wheels. And part of that ing down some ground rules and provid-
these national efforts, how can state soci- state society. I thought, “This is awesome” John Q Public sphere is the diversity and ing some background on norms and D&I
eties and local chapters incorporate D&I to have her as a resource. I asked her in inclusion issues. terminology. With these in mind, we en-
into their meetings? Two state societies are Portland if she would consider giving a couraged participants to think deeply and
taking the lead. Last year, Allegheny SAF talk, and she said yes. Presenting R.I.P. Uniformity step out of their normal comfort zones,
brought in Jamie Dahl and Susan Stout Jamie was a natural fit, and she pulled Jamie Dahl, Forest Outreach Coordinator, since you must be willing to lean in to
to talk about D&I at its annual meeting. in Ryan Vogel to present a session titled Central State University Extension & McIn- some discomfort to grow in these areas.
And, building on a D&I session includ- R.I.P. Uniformity (Respect, Identity, Priv- tire-Stennis Program, and Ryan Vogel, Grad- As facilitators, we are constantly learning
ed at its 2018 annual meeting, this year, ilege). The discussion and presentation uate Student, Ohio State University: Our and growing as well, understanding that
Ohio SAF presented an R.I.P. Uniformity were good. I received a lot of positive Approach to Presenting the R.I.P. Uniformity we too carry our own unique perspectives
(Respect, Identity, Privilege) workshop at feedback, but quite honestly, I did get (Respect, Identity, Privilege) Workshop on life, whether they relate to us being
its winter annual meeting. some negative feedback; some of the older In designing the workshop, we want- white, male, or otherwise. Acknowledg-
In their own words, members of Ohio fellows complained. I say, if you just want ed attendees to be actively engaged. Since ing our own privileges and advantages
SAF share why it’s important not to shy to go out and sit in the trees and stay there PowerPoint presentations are the norm at and how these shape our experience and
away from D&I, and how this topic can be the rest of your life, that’s fine. But if you these and most professional conferences, worldview is really important. We did not
discussed to empower members. want to interact with the real world, or the we wanted to do something different that go into this workshop with the intent to
rest of the world, you need to be aware required no PowerPoint. We brainstormed necessarily “teach” participants, but rath-
Why D&I? of these issues. These issues are in main- various D&I activities that we had partic- er, we aimed to create an environment in
Jim Stafford, CF, Ohio SAF Chair: Why I stream media news and on the Internet. ipated in previously to decide upon four which attendees can see, discover, and
wanted to include a session on D&I at the Forestry has its head in the sand. that would work within our given time learn on their own.
“
This updated dictionary is the
go-to reference for students and
professionals alike for the words of our
trade and how WE use them.”
Dr. John Bailey, CF
Featuring hundreds and College of Forestry, Oregon State University
hundreds of updated terms
and over 45 brand new terms.
Team facilitation and diverse per- ago, the field of diversity and inclusion feel comfortable voicing their opinion brace people of all backgrounds!
spectives for D&I sessions are always best. was not nearly what it is today, and it is or joining the organization. Sometimes, Other SAF chapters, and the field of
While we have both presented on D&I still growing and evolving. We’re excited knowing that an organization cares about forestry in general, could greatly benefit
alone in the past, it is far better to do it to see what the world will be like 70 years all aspects of members’ lives gives them from learning more about diversity and
with someone else. That is where part- from now, when children today growing the confidence they need to grow profes- inclusion. Our field is always changing,
nerships for facilitation are key, so you up with diversity and inclusion principles sionally and talk about their views within with new problems and challenges aris-
can help each other engage a broader tar- instilled in them at such an early age ma- the framework of a professional organiza- ing all the time. We need to make sure
get audience and work together through ture and become the next generation of tion. our community is one that encourages its
tough discussions. It is not a good idea to world leaders. members to be involved, to speak up, and
leap into this kind of work without some Katie Reiderman, Ohio State University to take risks—no matter who they are or
advanced training and experience under Take-Home Lessons and District 9 SAF Student Representative: where they come from—so that we can
your belt. Still, no two workshops (even Dan Balser, Chief of Division of Forestry, Ohio When I saw the presentation title, I all face these problems and challenges to-
those with the same lesson plan) will ever Department of Natural Resources: What at- expected the presentation to cover im- gether. No one should feel that they need
go the same, since they inherently de- tendees learned from the presentation. portant aspects of diversity and inclusion, to hide their identity in fear of backlash
pend on input from the audience, which When I saw the agenda, I had some knowing from previous presentations by and exclusion from others in their profes-
is always comprised of different people at idea of what might be covered in the R.I.P Jamie and Ryan that they are excellent sion. That’s why it is so important for us
different stages in their lives with different Uniformity presentation, because I had advocates for these areas. I was excited to treat everyone with a sense of respect,
opinions. heard Jamie Dahl present at a previous to see how they were going to explain the have a listening ear to all perspectives, and
We ended the workshop with a SAF meeting. What I didn’t realize was importance of respect, identity, and priv- to embrace diversity in our profession.
World Café–style discussion, which was that the presentation would be very in- ilege. Not only is this good for the profession
similar to the World Café discussions held teractive. The interaction led to a greater Throughout the OSAF winter meet- of forestry, but really, it’s a great thing for
at past national conventions. While we understanding of the topics that were dis- ing, we covered current forest-science us to be accepting and including in our
hope participants were able to introspect cussed. I think the session complemented topics and had a few ethics discussions. everyday lives.
and reflect on their personal worldviews, the more-technical agenda items in that it The diversity and inclusion presentation
self-awareness, and awareness of others, brought different ideas into the conver- complemented the more “traditional” for- Does your chapter have a diversity and
we also wanted to provide some more-tan- sation. It allowed participants to look at estry topics by emphasizing the impor- inclusion program that you’d like to share
gible next steps forward. After any train- issues through a different lens and gave tance of everyone’s viewpoint. With differ- with other chapters, or other best practices
ing, it is useful to direct participants to attendees who might not normally speak ent problems arising in forestry every day, that have reinvigorated your chapter? We
some action steps they can take to imple- up an opportunity to talk about how they such as invasive species and timber-har- want to share these ideas with other members.
ment what they have just learned and fur- view these issues. vesting malpractices, its important to have Please e-mail your column ideas to wattsa@
ther broaden their horizons. For example, For me, I think it reinforced that as a diverse group of people coming together safnet.org, rasorl@safnet.org, or membership
if aging demographics of a state chapter professional foresters and managers of to develop solutions to these problems. @saftnet.org.
is a concern, what might SAF members people, we should be careful about as- The presentation really put me out of
do on an individual level at their places of sumptions we make regarding colleagues my comfort zone in the best way possi-
work or in their extracurricular activities and other individuals with whom we in- ble. It is so important to be mindful that Want to learn more about the
to further engage early-career profession- teract. It takes time and effort to get to not everyone starts with the same oppor- Respect, Identity, Privilege, and
als in SAF? What could the state chapter know someone and what special skills or tunities and chances, and I believe some- World Café activities, and other
do to address this at meetings/events, with perspectives they bring to the table. This times it’s easy to forget that. We are all so
D&I resources? All SAF mem-
its Internet presence, or elsewhere? is true in the hiring process, stakeholder different, and we all come from different
We too are still learning about di- meetings, and relationships with partners. backgrounds. It is invaluable to learn from bers are welcome to join the D&I
versity and inclusion ourselves and have This kind of session benefits members each other and to help each other as much Working Group, and you may
much room to grow. There are certainly by giving them a chance to think issues as we can, and to just be mindful of the also contact Jamie Dahl at jdahl@
opportunities for improvement in the way through from a different point of view. I challenges other people had to face to get CentralState.edu and Ryan Vogel at
we act, speak, and think about people and believe it also gives some members and to where they are today. The presentation RangerRyanVogel@gmail.com.
the world that we live in. Just 30 years prospective members an opportunity to really served as a great reminder to em-
July 2019 21
CONTINUING EDUCATION CALENDAR | July through September 2019
More Events at tinyurl.com/gnd78jh (www.eforester.org)
Continuing education events for July through September 2019. SAF Continuing Forestry Education (CFE) credits are available at all events. Visit SAF’s Continuing Education Calendar at tinyurl.
com/gnd78jh for more information on these events and others that may have been recently added to the list.
CFE Providers: To obtain pre-approval of Continuing Forestry Education credits for an event, complete and submit the CFE Provider Application Form on the Certification & Education/Continuing
Education page at eforester.org (or tinyurl.com/z2zqc3o). Submittal instructions are included on the form.
CFE Post Approval for Individuals: If an event was not preapproved for CFE credit, SAF will evaluate the meeting on an individual basis. This service is available to members and SAF-certified
professionals at no cost; non-members are assessed an annual fee of $30. To apply, complete and submit the CFE Post Approval Form on the Certification & Education/Continuing Education page
at eforester.org (or tinyurl.com/z2zqc3o). Submittal instructions are included on the form.
WEBINARS 8/28/2019, Big Reed Forest Preserve, Northern MISSISSIPPI 7/16/2019, Summertime Safety for Fieldwork, Old
Woodlands Fort
7/16/2019, Oak Wilt: Biology, Distribution, and 9/19/2019, Managing Your Woodlot for Ash with 8/29–30/2019, The Business of Forestry: Annual
Management Approaches EAB on the Doorstep, Vassalboro Meeting of the Mississippi SAF, Raymond OHIO
8/20/2019, Understanding Family Forest
Landowners in the Lake States MASSACHUSETTS 9/13–16/2019, Deer Steward: Level II, Gallipolis
NEW HAMPSHIRE
9/19/2019, On-the-Job Experimentation: How to
Learn More from Your Daily Work 7/10–24/2019, Introduction To Plant Families, 7/10/2019, Soil Morphology/Describing Soils, PENNSYLVANIA
Framingham University of New Hampshire
CONNECTICUT 7/30/2019, Thinking Big: Introduction to Landscape 7/17/2019, Soil Morphology/Describing Soils, 9/18–19/2019, Advanced Tree Measuring Workshop,
Ecology, Whately University of New Hampshire Cooksburg
8/14/2019, Silvopasture & Agroforestry 101: Healthy 8/14–21/2019, Advanced Plant Inventory 7/21/2019, Hobbs Fern Sanctuary, Lyman
Soils Workshop, Union Techniques, Framingham 7/24/2019, Soil Morphology/Describing Soils,
9/9–23/2019, Field Identification Techniques, University of New Hampshire SOUTH CAROLINA
Framingham 8/15/2019, Identifying Ferns of Northeastern New
GEORGIA 8/22/2019, Project Learning Tree Workshop for
9/13/2019, Conservation through Use, Framingham England, Portsmouth
9/20–21/2019, Basic Wetland Identification and 8/22/2019, Identifying Late Season Grasses, Natural Resource Professionals, Columbia
7/9–10/2019, Wildlife Management Course, Athens
Delineation, Framingham Portsmouth
7/23–24/2019, Recreational Pond Management,
9/5/2019, Invasive Ailanthus altissima: Targeting the UTAH
Athens
MICHIGAN Tree of Heaven, Concord
7/26–28/2019, 2019 Annual Conference & Forestry
Expo, Jekyll Island 7/16/2019, Spotted Lanternfly & Other Invasive
8/8/2019, Trees as Green Stormwater Infrastructure, 7/10/2019, FCWG Learning Exchange Series: NEW YORK Landscape Tree Pests, Logan
Peachtree Corners Carbon Market Opportunities and Project
8/20–21/2019, Forest Herbicide Workshop, Tifton Development Tools, East Lansing 7/10/2019, Monitoring and Managing Ash (MaMA) VERMONT
8/27/2019, Trees as Green Stormwater Infrastructure, 7/31/2019, DEQ Stream Crossing Permit Training, Training Workshop, Middletown
Valdosta Gwinn 7/15/2019, Monitoring and Managing Ash (MaMA) 7/10/2019, Ash and Forestry Forum: Management
8/2/2019, DEQ Stream Crossing Permit Training, Training Workshop, Poughkeepsie within the Context of EAB, Craftsbury
Bruce Crossing 7/17/2019, Monitoring and Managing Ash (MaMA) 7/27/2019, Plants of Black Gum Swamp, Vernon
IDAHO
Training Workshop, Katonah
MINNESOTA 7/18–20/2019, 27th Annual Releaf Conference,
8/16/2019, Restoring Idaho Streams, Moscow WEST VIRGINIA
Newburgh
7/16/2019, Webinar: Oak Wilt: Biology, Distribution, 7/25/2019, Monitoring and Managing Ash (MaMA)
MAINE Training Workshop, Cornwall 7/29–30/2019, 2019 AHMI Summer Conference,
and Management Approaches White Sulphur Springs
8/20/2019, Webinar: Understanding Family Forest
7/12/2019, Invasive Terrestrial Plants 101, Augusta
Landowners in the Lake States NORTH CAROLINA
7/14/2019, Harvey Butler Rhododendron Sanctuary, WYOMING
9/19/2019, Webinar: On-the-job Experimentation:
Springvale
How to Learn More from Your Daily Work 7/11/2019, Alternative Income Streams for Forest
8/24/2019, Robert P. Tristram Coffin Wild Flower 7/20–29/2019, 29th Annual North American
Landowners, Mills River
Sanctuary, Woolwich Dendroecological Fieldweek, Cody
CLASSIFIEDS
Job ID 48943048 Harvesting Operations Manager Town Forester
From the SAF Posted: June 11, 2019 Employer: Hancock Natural Resource Group
Location: Shreveport, Louisiana
Employer: Town of Erie
Location: Erie, Colorado
Career Center Customer Support Rep.
Employer: PRT USA
Job ID 48817395
Posted: June 4, 2019
Job ID 48571359
Posted: May 22, 2019
For the complete listing of these and other
Location: Oregon/Armstrong, BC Job Function Arborist
ads, visit http://careercenter.eforester.org
Job ID 48930942 Procurement Forester
Posted: June 10, 2019 Employer: WestRock Fire Ecologist
Forestry Foreman/Heavy Equipment
Min Education Associates Degree Location: Florence, South Carolina Employer: Missouri Department of
Operator
Min Experience 3-5 Years Job ID 47121289 Conservation
Employer: Markit! Forestry Management
Required Travel 25-50% Posted: May 30, 2019 Location: West Plains, Missouri
Location: American Fork, Utah
Job ID 48542629
Job ID: 48100042
Tax Law Forestry Specialist Director of Forestry & Regulatory Affairs Posted: May 20, 2019
Posted: June 15, 2019
Employer: Wisconsin Department of Natural Employer: Florida Forestry Association Min Education Master's Degree
Min Education: Associates Degree
Resources Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Location: Peshtigo, Wisconsin Job ID 48680147 Research Forester
Forester
Job ID 48855438 Posted: May 29, 2019 Employer: Missouri Department of
Employer: Templin Forestry Inc.
Posted: June 6, 2019 Conservation
Location: Alexandria, Louisiana
Inventory-GIS Forester, Southern and Location: West Plains, Missouri
Job ID 49005084
Forester/Potential Buyer Eastern US Job ID 48542624
Posted: June 14, 2019
Employer: WoodsRun Consulting Forestry Employer: GreenWood Resources Posted: May 20, 2019
Location: Elizabethtown, North Carolina Location: Lumberton, Texas/Spartanburg,
Area Forester
Job ID 48855437 South Carolina Portfolio Manager
Employer: Stimson Lumber
Posted: June 6, 2019 Job ID 48679788 Employer: GreenWood Resources
Location: Newport, Washington
Posted: May 28, 2019 Location: Portland, Oregon
Job ID 49005032
Forester Job ID 48541997
Posted: June 14, 2019
Employer: Wisconsin Department of Natural Forester Posted: May 20, 2019
Resources Employer: Hancock Forest Management, Inc.
Director of Acquisitions
Location: Multiple locations, Wisconsin Location: Cathlamet, Washington
Employer: Finite Carbon
Job ID 48835742 Job ID 48571541
Location: Tallahassee, Florida/Portland,
Posted: June 5, 2019 Posted: May 22, 2019
Oregon
July 2019 23
FOREST PRODUCTS INDUSTRY NEWS
DLTs: Dowel-Laminated Timbers 530 jobs at the facility, along with 25 busi-
A planned four-story office building in ness and sales positions, will be eliminat-
Des Moines, Iowa, will be the first com- ed The company said it would continue
mercial building in North America to use to operate and invest in the Crossett mill
dowel-laminated timbers (DLTs). The first to support its consumer tissue and towel
floor of the 65,000-square-foot structure business.
will be devoted to retail spaces, while the
other three floors will be office space. BC Curtailments
According to project designer Neu- At this writing in mid-June, at least 20
mann Monson Architects, spruce glulam mills in British Columbia have announced
beams and columns will frame the 40- shutdowns or curtailments in the last two
foot by 6.33-foot DLT panels that serve months, according to Random Lengths and
as floors and roof. “The system facilitates other sources. For example, on June 11,
quick erection time and a smaller site Random Lengths reported that “Canfor
crew, minimizing the disturbance to the Corporation announced June 10 it will
neighborhood during construction. Pre- be curtailing operations at all British Co-
cast concrete walls and buttresses anchor lumbia sawmills, except WynnWood. The A four-story office building in Des Moines, Iowa, will be the first building in the US built with dowel-laminat-
the south portion of the building and as- majority of mills will be curtailed for two ed timber. Photo: Neumann Monson Architects.
sist as the service core.” weeks or the equivalent, with extended
StructureCraft, a British Columbia curtailments of four weeks at Houston is a new provincial law that “creates a new energy. From the 1Q/18 to the 4Q/18,
company, will supply the DLTs. and Plateau, and six weeks at Macken- obligation for companies to demonstrate exports from the region were up almost
zie. The curtailments are scheduled to a ‘public interest’ before they can sell or 50%, further manifesting US’s role as the
GP Closures in the Southeast run from June 17 through July 26. The transfer their licenses to harvest timber world’s largest producer and exporter of
Georgia-Pacific recently announced that it curtailments are due to very poor lumber from provincial land in a specific geo- wood pellets.”
will shut down two particleboard plants markets and the high cost of fibre, which graphic area.” See tinyurl.com/y4doqopl. Demand for pellets in Japan and
in Hope, Arkansas, and Monroeville, Al- are making the operating conditions in BC South Korea continued a three-year
abama, and will not rebuild its Thomson, uneconomic. The curtailments will reduce Pellets, Pellets, Pellets growth trend when import volumes
Georgia, facility, which experienced a cat- Canfor’s production output by approxi- More than 22 million tons of wood pellets reached record highs of 339,000 tons and
astrophic fire in May. Approximately 100 mately 200 million board feet.” were shipped globally in 2018, up 21 per- 993,000 tons, respectively, in the fourth
employees at each facility will be impact- “It’s a situation that’s been years in cent from 2017, according to North Amer- quarter of 2018, reported NAWFR: “In
ed. GP also will shutter its bleached board the making, as the ravenous mountain ican Wood Fiber Review (NAWFR, www. 2018, the total annual import volume for
operations at its Crossett, Arkansas, by pine beetle population exploded thanks WoodPrices.com). The “big five” export- the two countries was just over 4.5 mil-
October 2019, including bleached board to warmer winters, which in combination ers—the US, Canada, Vietnam, Latvia, lion tons, more than doubling in just two
machines, extrusion plant, woodyard, with record fires, destroyed huge swaths and Russia—accounted for 69 percent of years.”
pulp mill, and a significant portion of the of forests. Now, there are too many mills global exports in 2018. “Pellet production
energy complex at the Crossett mill. The in B.C. and not enough supply to feed in the US South continued at record pace Breaking forest products industry news? Con-
company also in July will shut down one them all,” according to a June 13 article in 2018, driven by a European move away tact Forestry Source editor Steve Wilent at
of the mill’s older tissue machines. About in Canada’s Financial Post. Another factor from fossil fuels and towards renewable wilents@safnet.org.
July 2019 • Vol. 24 • No. 7
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