Summer 98

The Michigan Forester On-Line
A Publication of the Michigan Society of American Foresters

New Editor !! Mike Johnson will start with the next edition of the "Michigan Forester". Please send articles and submissions to him. Deadline for the next issue in 7 October, 1998 !!!

One of the greatest opportunities and challenges in professional forestry lies in communicating positively with the public. We have much that is positive to communicate! We are proud of Michigan’s vast healthy forests....the largest dedicated state forest system in the country, three national forests, and over 10 million acres in private and corporate forests. We are proud as well of our role as forest stewards helping to manage this resource for a myriad of uses and resource outputs.

The Michigan Society of American Foresters (MISAF), in preparing to host the 1998 National SAF Convention, has formed a partnership with the Traverse City Habitat for Humanity program to build a home. We feel this offers foresters and forest industry alike a tremendous opportunity to showcase our forest resources with a very direct and specific outcome...a home for a family. Under the guidance of certified builders, we will physically build the home at the convention site during the convention. Hundreds of SAF volunteers will be involved in this week-long house raising effort.

Our outreach project does not stop there. We will use video, photo and live interviews to graphically illustrate the connection between the wood products in the home and the resource where they are managed. Building materials will be linked to the private, industrial, state and federal lands where they originated. Each site will be used to illustrate stewardship and land management for resource outputs.

A documentary is planned in partnership with a local television station. The story of our home will be used to feature how Michigan forestry provides a healthy and productive forest resource. The focus will be on the people who plant the trees, manage or own the land, harvest a renewable resource, produce forest products, and finally, utilize the forest products. Most importantly, this home building effort will demonstrate how families rely on the many wood products used in everyday living. The documentary will also focus on the environmental advantages of wood over other products, its low energy cost to produce, its renewability, and its abundance. Lastly, it will highlight the most recent Michigan resource facts such as Michigan’s timber volume has increased more than a third since 1980.

We want this to be a media EVENT! We hope to draw national attention as well as day to day local media coverage. The public will watch as the "drama" unfolds from a managed forest to a pile of wood at the start of the convention to a home for a family at convention close. It will be a vivid representation tying the natural resource to the homes people build.

This is your invitation to participate. The success of this outreach depends on support from MISAF members and the forestry community. We have an excellent opportunity to accomplish something that we have been talking about doing for quite some time - communicate to the public about forestry and about SAF. A core group of about a dozen MISAF members led by Bill Sterrett (616-824-9080; sterretw@state.mi.us) is seeking financial and material support; working with the National SAF; contracting professional video services; and seeking a significant national spokesperson to champion our efforts. We expect involvement from many as this project evolves. Convention attendees will have the opportunity to pound a few nails too! We’re excited about the project and its tremendously positive attributes. This will be the largest gathering of professional foresters in the world for 1998. Please join us!

If you or your organization would like to be a partner in the MISAF Habitat for Humanity Project by contributing a portion of the project materials, or by making a monetary contribution, please contact our Donations Coordinator:

Peter Grieves, P.O. Box 486, Newberry, Michigan, 49868
Phone: 906-293-3236, Fax: 906-293-5444, or email: timbermn@up.net

For more information or to sign up to help with the project please contact one of the following team members:

Mike Castle, Doug DeKoster, Peter Grieves, Shawn Hagan, Larry Heibel, Bob Heyd, Deb Huff, Mike Lanasa, Dave Lemminen, Glenn Moll, Rick Moore, Denny Renken, Bill Sterrett, Dennis Vitton

Forestry Assistance for Non-Industrial Private Landowners

by the Conservation District Forestry Committee¹

Mike Meriwether, Antrim & Kalkaska CDS
Lora Freer, Alcona, Iosco, Ogemaw & Oscoda CDS
Rick Lucas, Osceola-Lake & Mecosta CDS
Randy Aldrich, Bay & Midland CDS
Rory Mattson, Delta & Menominee CDS

The significance of non-industrial private forestlands here in Michigan is well documented. It has been reported that forestland acreages have increased 6 percent since 1980. It is also significant that individual ownership of private forestland is increasing. That is, there are more people who own forested acres than ever before. Of the 18.5 million acres of forestland in the state, non-industrial private forest (NIPF) landowners hold approximately 55 percent of this land². In addition, Michigan’s forest economy continues to grow, increasing the demand for wood products from NIPF landowners.

Private land management objectives are diverse and constantly changing. More often than not, private ownership goals revolve around other forest benefits such as wildlife, aesthetics, and recreational uses. Producing forest products is rarely the reason for ownership of NIPF lands. Landowners often have difficulty balancing multiple-use issues on their acreages and often succumb to poor management advice. The lack of sound advice causes many landowners to withdraw their acreages from any management recommendations or activities.

The delivery of sound, unbiased technical assistance is the cornerstone of the educational process. Assisting landowners in resource planning as well as the implementation of planned practices is a huge responsibility. Mistakes in land management activities are often long term and have far reaching consequences.

The offering of unbiased technical assistance in forestry has been well received throughout the state. Requests for assistance cover the full gamut of forestry-related subjects. Areas of assistance considered extremely significant or important are as follows:

The Conservation District foresters play a key role in providing unbiased services to NIPF landowners and the protection of Michigan’s natural resources. CD foresters have a unique perspective regarding private forestland activities and have the ability to strengthen and cultivate common interests regarding forestry issues statewide.

Footnotes to Forestry Assistance article

1 The Conservation District Forestry Committee is a five member group, elected by the 27 Conservation District Foresters employed throughout the state. In short, it is a peer group selected to represent the Forestry Assistance Program and address statewide natural resource issues such as private forestland activities and assistance, conservation district forestry programs, state and federal forestry incentives programs, funding, continuing education, personnel, and policy issues.

2 USDA Forest Service figures.

A joint meeting hosted by Michigan SAF and the Michigan Chapter of the Wildlife Society was held February 19-20,1998 at Escanaba, Michigan. This was an appropriate site for the field workshop entitled "Lowland Conifers: Cooperative Management of a Complex Resource", since 75% of Michigan's lowland conifers occur in the Upper Peninsula with Delta County having the second highest lowland acreage. Additionally, Delta County is a major deer wintering area. About 150 attendees rotated by busloads through established demonstration stops for on-site discussions of the problems and opportunities presented by this particular mix of forestry and wildlife management.

Thursday morning speakers provided background for afternoon and Friday field trips. Gem Castillo, Michigan State University (MSU), displayed the composition and distribution of three lowland conifer stands (tamarack, cedar, and black spruce) with associated species components. He presented average stumpage prices for these species from the 1950's to mid-1990's. There is a trend of increased prices - especially in the sawlog category. A visit to the Rapid River Rustic Log Home manufacturer late in the day demonstrated there is a demand for cedar posts and logs which are in short supply, thus increasing the stumpage price of cedar.

Kurt Pregitzer, Michigan Technological University (MTU), summarized the history and ecology of cedar. Compared to pre-European times, the occurrence of fir and cedar has increased; whereas, tamarack has declined dramatically and spruce slightly. Today's cedar forests are the result of logging and related disturbance in the late 1800's. Some stands re-established full stocking within 20 years of harvest while other stands continued to gain stocking through the 1950's. Kurt stressed that, in cedar, there may be no relationship between size and age. This was later demonstrated in the field, where two trees of vastly different diameters that were cut were shown to be of the same age.

Jim Hammill, Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), rounded out the morning with remarks on use of lowland conifers by wildlife and the transition zones between lowlands and uplands.

In the field, Kevin Doran, U.S. Forest Service, pointed out how the closed canopy in these stands reduces snow depth and produces a microclimate conducive to wintering deer. Other field stops the first day included demonstrations of solar electric and conventional fencing to exclude deer and protect cedar regeneration, lime and fertilizer application, site preparation with heavy machinery, and cut and leave strips. Overall, the day showed the importance and difficulty of managing lowland conifers, and the extreme difficulty of obtaining successful cedar regeneration in areas of high deer population. It is clear that lowland conifer management has to be a joint effort between wildlife and forestry professionals.

Two thoughts seemed to recur throughout day. If you believe high deer populations are inhibiting establishment of forest regeneration, you need to express that opinion at public meetings and elsewhere when MDNR biologists must face hunters who want higher populations of deer. Foresters must make clear to the public the short and long-term impacts of high deer populations on the forests, not only in winter deer yards but in other forest types as well. A second thought was that winter feeding of the deer only compounds the problems of high deer numbers and should be discouraged.

Friday field trips discussed actual management applications on public and private lands. At a small clear-cut within the North Perkins Deer Yard on the Escanaba River State Forest, speakers Craig Albright, Biologist/MDNR, Dean Wilson, Forester/MDNR, and Mike Zuidema, retired silviculturist/MDNR, discussed problems and rationale for the area. State policy is to cut about 40 acres per year in the cedar type for research. In view of the long establishment period for cedar, it's slow growth, longevity, and risk of converting to other species, this is felt to be a very conservative approach which does not jeopardize existing cedar stands. A major drawback to thinning cedar stands by removing short-lived species is the opening of these otherwise impenetrable stands to ATV traffic and a host of negative issues associated with this access. Economic implications of the state (and federal) cut-no-cedar policy are a decrease of supply, increase of prices, and the shift of the market (and decision-making) to private landowners.

A site visit to a privately owned area for the day was a 320 acre swamp conifer tract owned by Don Bovin, primarily managed as recreational lands. Mr. Bovin is working with Mead Corporation forester Vic Lyberg. A 40 acre harvest is planned which includes clearcutting areas of balm-of-gilead, and thinning cedar by cutting trees containing at least two merchantable pieces. The objective of the harvest is to recapture some of the investment in purchase cost of the land and taxes, while leaving most of the acreage alone. The expected per acre return is fairly high and demonstrates why private landowners may be more willing to permit harvest on their properties.

Attendees to this excellent field workshop left with a bibliography and technical binder compiled by Ray Miller, Brad Bender, and Bill Cook, 5 CFE credits to claim, and hopefully a greater appreciation of the complexities (both for biologists and foresters) of managing lowland conifer stands in deer country.

Editorial note: An excellent rundown of this and other MISAF activities is available on the Internet at http://forestry.msu.edu/msaf. The editorial board needs your feedback! Is this an expansion of newsletter audience or a duplication? Should newsletter articles be shorter, the same?

All members of the Michigan State Society of American Foresters should feel great pride in the substantial work carried out by their peers in preparing for the world’s largest gathering of Foresters during 1998. As General Chair, I have been amazed at the members from all walks of life and employment working side-by-side to showcase the great state of Michigan. Great Lakes, Great Forests, Great Times, Great State!

As we head for September I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the many Committee chairs and co-chairs. The complete list is shown elsewhere in this edition. Without exception people have gone above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that their professional society has a first rate convention!

First and foremost, I want to specifically cite Laurie Marzolo for her leadership, creativity, and organizational skills. Along with her equally efficient Arrangement Team co-chair, Jim Bernier, she has kept the day-to-day operations of Convention planning running smoothly. Michigan’s preparation has drawn much praise from the National Office and a good deal of this is due to Laurie’s hard work. Let me say to all Michigan Society members...Laurie is the straw that stirs the drink! The Arrangements Committee is made up of over 50 members and each has not only contributed, they have excelled! Exhibits, public relations, entertainment, tours, facilities, room arrangements, leisure activities, and all the rest have made me so very proud to be a forester.

The Program Committee has also been of top-notch quality and results. Chair Karen Potter-Witter and Co-chair Bill Rockwell have put together a first rate program with the help of the other members from around the United States. Of particular note are the three plenary sessions where absolute top speakers are on the agenda. Our keynoter, William Rustem, is the Senior Vice President for Public Sector Consultants. Bill is very interested in land use. We are very pleased with Bill’s participation. Working with Karen is a pleasure, she always follows up on issues, meets deadlines and works in a most professional manner. The National Office has also cited our Program Committee for its outstanding and timely work!

I would be negligent if I did not mention the assistance of Diana Perl, Manager of Conventions, National Office. She is another highly professional person. She is ably assisted by Mike Murphy. We have an excellent relationship with our National Office due to Diana’s ability, high good humor, and management ability.

You should have received Registration materials in the mail in early May. All that remains is for you to sign up and come to Traverse City in September!!

General Chair: Mike Moore
Program Team: Karen Potter-Witter, Bill Rockwell
Arrangements Team: Joyce Angel-Ling, Charlie Becker, Jim Bernier, Dick Bolen, Larry Bulock, Marlin Caris, Bernie Carr, Mike Castle, Sandy Caveney, Bob DeVillez, Jim DiMaio, Amy Douglass, Theresa Ekdom, Joe Fields, Loren Ford, Ed Frayer, Tim Gerou, Phyllis Green, Pete Grieves, Jerry Grossman, Shawn Hagan, Brian Hamilton, John Hart, Bill Hasse, Andy Hayhow, Jim Higgins, Les Homan, Ernie Houghton, Bernie Hubbard, Steve Kelley, Mike Lanasa, Howard Lindberg, Gary MacGregor, Mike Mang, Laurie Marzolo, Randy Marzolo, Liz McNichols, Quent McNichols, Roger Misiak, Hilton Muntz, Bill O’Neill, Bob Ojala, Dave Olson, Jack Pilon, Ken Rouston, Butch Ruppert, Jack Schultz, Ron Scott, Bill Spinner, Jeff Stampfly, Bill Sterrett, Mark Stormzand, Susan Thiel, John Witter

Showing Off Our Great Lakes and Great Forests
by Loren B. Ford / Working Group Tour Chair

If you want to exercise bragging rights to other foresters from across North America by showing them the forest management leadership we're proud of as Michigan SAF members, then you'd better register early for the 1998 National Convention at Grand Traverse Resort! Your best opportunity will be on Technical Tour Day, Tuesday, September 22. While we won't come close to showing all aspects of what makes Michigan the land of "Great Lakes and Great Forests", some really dedicated volunteers have put together 14 tours that will make a heck of an attempt.

The tours are sponsored by 22 of SAF's 29 Working Groups, except for the Student Tour, which will be hosted by Michigan State and Michigan Tech Student Chapters. With field sites almost as varied as SAF's Working Groups, the technical tours will feature forest fragmentation, remote sensing, Kirtland's warbler management, the Au Sable fishery, riparian buffers, upland and wetland ecosystems of the eastern UP, non-industrial private forest management, fire, wilderness and recreation management, products and utilization, and a visit to our past at the CCC Museum, Hartwick Pines State Park, and the 1888 Beal Plantation. Isn't it great working for such a broad-ranging profession? This is the opportunity to hear from the experts about a discipline that you might not get a chance to work with on your job.

There's no need to be a Working Group member to go on a tour. However, there's only limited space available, and registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. There might still be a need for volunteers for a few specific tours to help the volunteer guides with lunches, hand-outs, etc. Otherwise, you'll have to sign up and pay for your tour like members from other state societies. Tours require an extra charge beyond the convention registration fee, calculated to cover the cost of the tour. Remember, register early. Check the convention brochure for more details, or contact me at (517) 826-3252, or lford/r9_huronmanistee@fs.fed.us.

Great Lakes/Great Forests and "Great Times" at the Grand Traverse Resort in 98. Entertainment will abound at this year's SAF National Convention. There's music in the air and your feet will want to dance. From exhibit hall opening activities on Saturday to the Northwoods Hooetnanny on Tuesday night, foresters and their families will delight in a variety of entertainment activities.

The diversions at this year's convention will offer a perfect blend. It's a resort destination that packages sports and entertainment in a relaxing atmosphere. Professional music performances, memorable art, and sports opportunities await you.

Song of the Lakes, a musical quartet that sings the praises of the Land and of the Lakes, will appear at the Monday night social and banquet. They will enchant both young and old with their unique, high energy, "new folk" sound that has captured fans from all walks of life.

A second concert will be presented on Sunday night that will surely delight those of us who have music in our hearts. The Interlochen Center for the Arts and the ChoralAires of the Traverse City High School will perform an outstanding collection of music and dance.

These are just a few of the performers and artists scheduled at this year's convention. The Entertainment Committee invites you to bring your family and enjoy the fun!

What a great convention your professional peers have planned for September! It is my estimation that the State of Michigan institutions of higher learning have produced more foresters than any other state. Michigan State University, University of Michigan, and Michigan Technological University have all graduated foresters for many years with the two downstate universities dating back to the turn of the century.

Therefore, we have embarked on a campaign - "Come Home To Michigan" - to bring back the graduates. We have sent individual letters to each of the three Department Heads asking them to emphasize the Convention in their mailings to Alumni.

We need your help also. How about inviting your summer camp roommates back? Do you have friends that you would like to reconnect with? What an opportunity! College days always bring back a stream of memories. Make that call to your fellow crew member in dendrology, soils, or management class.

We plan to have the Alumni Socials for the three schools in adjoining rooms on Sunday evening. Maybe we can replay the Paul Bunyan Liars Contest or other Conclave activities...

Plan to make the most of your trip to Traverse City! Plan a few days in advance to allow yourself some time to make stops along the way to visit folks you haven’t seen in a while. Or make the most of the fall colors on your return trip home, and meander along the back roads to your friend’s place so you can catch up on old times! Maybe you and your friends can take the time to throw a line in the stream to catch a fish or two, or get some bird hunting in. You can also take the opportunity to do some camping as you travel to and from Traverse City, as well as camping on the Bay at

Traverse City State Park while attending the Convention. Take the time to look through the Convention brochure and perhaps one of the tours would be a relaxing way to catch up with a buddy while enjoying the local sights!

Another option would be to invite your friends to the convention itself. Let’s demonstrate how the forestry profession is managing their resources. As you look through the Convention brochure, it’s plain to see how our rich state and its surrounding neighbors are being showcased to the Nation along with the most current issues facing resource managers. The discussions promise to be very challenging for any stakeholder. So maybe there is someone you know who would want to attend this convention, for even a day or two, just pass along the brochure. The possibilities of Great Times with Great Friends are endless, so just get your Michigan map out and start making plans!

SAF would like to thank the following organizations for their financial contribution.

SAF would like to express their sincere gratitude for the in-kind contributions made to the convention on behalf of their organizations.

The exhibitor Prospectus has been sent out to potential exhibitors. The exhibitor sub-team made a major effort to include all potential exhibitors on the SAF mailing list in Michigan and the surrounding area. However, as with all undertakings of this magnitude, some potential exhibitors may have been missed. If you know of anyone who was inadvertently left off the exhibitor mailing list, please contact Roger Misiak (517) 354-2121, Susan Thiel (517)348-6371 or Bernie Carr (906) 487-2667. If you wish to personally provide someone with a copy of the prospectus - Roger, Susan, or Bernie have extra copies available. Copies of the prospectus can also be obtained from Jack Pilon or Laurie Marzolo at the MDNR office in Roscommon, MI. Please check around your area to make sure potential exhibitors have received an invitation to exhibit their product at our national convention in Traverse City.

When you attend the convention, plan to visit the exhibit area and learn about new products which may be useful to your career and business. While the exhibit area will provide you with a wonderful source of new tools and information associated with the forestry profession, it will also help the MISAF present you with a financially sound and exiciting convention.

Something new in 1998 is the establishment of a Sister Society relationship between Michigan SAF and Mississippi SAF. You have probably heard of sister cities before. Generally a city in the United States will pair up with a city in another part of the word to gain understanding and promote friendship between the two cities. Hopefully we can achieve similar results between SAF members in Michigan and Mississippi. It promises to be an interesting approach to learning about forestry in another part of the country. The two states are similar in that both have about 600 SAF members and somewhere between 17-18 million acres of forest. On the other hand, Michigan has about 35% public ownership of forests while 89% of Mississippi forest is in private ownership. And while both states have a similar volume of growing stock, Mississippi’s growth is 50% higher and removals are double those in Michigan. How do these differences affect the way foresters view resource management?

The Sister Society concept originated at the SAF National Leadership Academy in 1997. Bob Daniels, Mississippi Chair and Mike Lanasa, Michigan Chair, wanted to initiate a way to help foresters from their respective states get to know one another and to learn how forestry in each state is practiced. A follow-up meeting between officers of the two societies at the Memphis Convention quickly indicated the possibilities for increased understanding of forestry issues and approaches to dealing with them. A lively discussion of BMPs, forester registration and prescribed burning laws showed different ways of approaching common situations. It was very evident to those present that the Sister Society concept has much to offer members in both states.

In 1998, we will begin to explore this relationship and see where it goes. We have begun by exchanging newsletters between officers in each of the states. The Michigan Forester is being sent to Mississippi and we in Michigan are receiving The Magnolia Forester. We will also be initiating a section in the Michigan Forester with information provided from Mississippi SAF and vice versa. The idea being to start communication between foresters in the two states. It has also been suggested that we plan a social event at the National Convention for members from the two states. Other activities may occur in the future as this concept develops. The Sister Society relationship between Michigan and Mississippi SAF is a first for the Society of American Foresters. It has great promise to foster and promote friendships and professional exchange. If you have ideas on activities we should try or methods to improve the concept please let your Executive Team know.

Mississippi Forest Industry ‘Maturing’
Reprinted from The Clarion-Ledger, October 20, 1997

Mississippi’s forest products have set record production values in nine of the past 10 years, but the best word to describe the industry is "maturing". "Mississippi’s forest industry is beginning to mature and has established a firm hold on the national market," said Bob Daniels, extension forestry specialist at Mississippi State University.

The South has net an incresed share of the nation’s softwood lumber needs in the past five years, and this has benefitted Mississippi’s economy. "Today our industry is more of a critical piece of the national puzzle than ever," Daniels said. "It is even more important now for landowners to keep land in forests, make good management decisions and boost timber production."

About 70 percent of Mississippi’s forest production value is from pine, including pulp and paper, poles, lumber and strucural panel products like plywood.

Daniels said the delivered value of pine sawlogs was almost half a billion dollars in 1996. Pine sawlogs were 41 percent of the toal havest value. "Trends toward more outdoor activities and the use of treated wood in construciton have contributed to the value of pine," Daniels said.

The bulk of the hardwood industry is lumber production, primarily red and white oak lumber. The 1996 value of hardwood sawlogs was $ 130 million. The value of hardwood pulpwood (pulp and paper) for 1996 was $ 139 million.

"This wood goes into chips for pulp and paper or structural panels like oriented strandboard," Daniels said. "Mississippi exports about 10 percent of the hardwood chips".

Lynn Sandberg, a 50-year member of SAF, died on November 19, 1997 in L'Anse, Michigan, after a short illness.

Lynn earned his BS in Forestry from the University of Minnesota in 1947, and became an SAF member in the same year. Prior to earning his degree, Lynn owned and managed Sandberg Dray Line, a company which trucked mainly forest products. Following graduation from college, Lynn joined the State of Minnesota as a Supervisor of Forestry in the office of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation. In 1950, he joined Lake Superior Timber Company where he served as manager of the land acquisition company. From 1952 until 1957, Lynn was the owner and manager of his own forest products company. In 1957, he accepted a position with Celotex Corporation in L'Anse, as manager of their 242,000 acres of forest land. In 1969, Lynn moved to Escanaba as General Manager of Woodlands for the Escanaba Paper Company and Mead Corporation where he oversaw management of 460,000 acres of forest land. He retired from the Mead Corporation in 1980, and returned to the L'Anse area where he remained active as a consultant and tree farmer.

Over the years, Lynn Sandberg was active in many forestry-related organizations. He served as Chair of the Wisconsin-Michigan Society and was elected an SAF Fellow. He was a member of the Michigan Forest Association and the Forest Products Research Society. A Registered Forester, Lynn served on the State of Michigan Board of Registration of Foresters. He also found time to serve as a Director for two different banks, and as a member of the Michigan State Wilderness and Natural Areas Board; the Upper Peninsula Committee for Area Progress; and the Michigan Wood Resource Development Task Force.

Education: Graduated from MSU in 1938 with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry, in a large class of 60, with tuition of $45 per quarter; joined SAF briefly while a student but lapsed while in the service.

Family: Married to Marge for 58 years as of next September; three children including Barb, trained as a forester and engineer and currently a Mead mill manager.

Career: Served with Army ROTC in South Dakota; CCC camp officer in Illinois; active duty in the Army and Air Force for about five years in various locations; also worked for a lumber company in Detroit when a lot of building was going on. Moved at least 13 times within the first six years.

In November, 1945, Rueben started with Kimberly-Clark in the Duluth area and worked most of the time out of Marquette and Iron Mountain until May, 1974 when he retired just shy of 30 years. He recalls very interesting and fun times primarily in the field, and lots of independence while looking over the wood supply for Kimberly-Clark's two Wisconsin mills.

Highlights of his career included testing two large electric chainsaws that never worked out in the Duluth area; getting approval to build the current Champion field office west of Champion along Highway 28/41 which was prompted by a visit from a new KC vice president who saw the poor conditions of his "old shack" of an office; working on getting the early version of double bottom loader trucks on the road due to poor rail service; and spearheading industry's movement to more mechanized logging systems (feller-buncher prototypes) in the early 1970's.

SAF Involvement: (1948-1998) Rueben mentioned that the chapter was not too active in the 1950's and 1960's. He did serve on a committee in conjunction with MTU to get foresters registered in the state. (Sound familiar? Maybe Jim Meteer can shed more light on this effort.)

Other Organizations: In the National Guard for 12 years; joined the Golden Kiwanis after retirement and headed up the Iron Mountain and Escanaba clubs; and served as an Elder in the Presbyterian Church for over 25 years.

Researchers Analyze Public Response to National Forest Issues
Reprinted from Logging News, Iron Mountain, MI
April 30, 1997

Houghton - How do you feel about your local national forest? How would you like to see it managed? These are questions that few of us give much thought to, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service is interested in trying to find the best way to gather it.

Kathy Halverson, an assistant professor of natural resource policy at Michigan Tecnological University, and Deborah Carr, a research social scientist with the Forest Service, are analyzing current methods for gathering community response. "It is hard to reach people effectively," Halvorsen said, so she and Carr are developing and testing mechanisms for involving the community. Houghton, Hancock, St. Ignace, Munising, Ironwood and the west Iron County area are involved in the evaluations.

In addition to learning about how to best gather information, Carr and Halvorsen will be collecting a great deal of data during the testing, as well as learning the dynamics of the communities. The Forest Service is interested in public opinion on such issues as wildlife diversity and management, as well as recreation, or the amount of time, trails and resources that are made available to the public.

Although not required to gather community input annually, Phyllis Green, The Forest Supervisor of the Ottawa National Forest, said her agency is always interested in people’s attitudes and concerns regarding public land management.

The Forest Service is required to involve the public every 10 to 15 years when developing their forest plan, but Green said, "We can’t wait that long between talking to people. If you want to know what your neighbors are thinking, it’s best to ask them."

She said the standard methods for contacting the public involve direct mailings, open houses, and public meetings. The public hearing model is frequently used according to Halvorsen.

But she said public land managers find that each method has its strengths and weaknesses. "We are interested in figuring out what works best." There are two other methods that are being evaluated and compared to public hearings. The first is "focused conversations with community groups". Halvorsen and a Forest Service employee attend meetings with groups that range from the Rotary Club and church groups to sportsmen’s clubs and environmental groups.

Halvorsen starts the conversations with general questions, aksing about the group members’ feelings toward their community, later focusing the meeting to an open discussion about forest management with the Forest Service employee.

The second method was developed as a way to make metings fun and convenient. It is called the "family and community town supper" and it was developed by the Wisconsin Clearinghouse for Prevention Resources in Madison.

Community members are invited to bring their families to the supper, and while they eat they sit around and talk about forest management. Forest Service employees are also in attendance, observing and participating in the conversations.

In addition to the meetings, Carr is distributing a survey to seasonal and permanent residents of the test communities. The survey is being used to gather the same information as the meetings, and it may also be used to compare the opinions of sesonal and permanent residents. "Although surveys are commonly used, it is rare to try different approaches to ask the same group of people the same questions, " Carr said. "We’re hoping to be able to compare the nature of information gathered in surveys versus face to face conversations."

Depending on the type of issue, one method may be more appropriate, or one method may receive a better response.

The ultimate question for Halvorsen and Carr to answer is: What do people like - how are they most comfortable discussing issues that affect the national forests and public land?

The project is being funded by the Forest Service, as well as through multiple funding sources from Michigan Tech.

Please direct questions, comments, and suggestions to Bill Cook, cookwi@pilot.msu.edu or 906-786-1575.
Editorial issues can be addressed to Eric Thompson.