The Michigan Forester On-Line
A Publication of the Michigan
Society of American Foresters
Number 43, Iron River, Michigan, Winter, 1998
IN THIS ISSUE . . .
From the Chair – Mike Lanasa
SAF Great Lakes Leadership Conference
A Growing Idea
1997-1998 Capstone Awards
UP Chapter Field Day
Convention -
Viewpoint
Convention - Habitat
for Humanity Project
Convention - Open
Letter to MSAF
Convention -
Sister Societies Meet
Forestry Roundtable
Executive Meeting Notes [from
2/98?]
Membership Activity
Internet Corner
The Convention is over and to many it may seem like this has been MISAF'S most active year ever. Those who have taken part in planning or attending the convention will want a chance to catch their breath and take a well-deserved break. And yet, I think MISAF, like any other team that has taken on a task as large and complicated as the convention, has gained enough confidence that it will never be quite the same again. We in MISAF will be more ready to take on other important tasks, whether it be shaping forest policy in Michigan or providing the public with information about forest resource management. We have been involved in similar projects before, but now we know just how much we can do, when we put our collective skills to the task. It is for their part in helping us grow that I want to take this opportunity to pay special tribute to Mike Moore – Convention Chair, Laurie Marzolo and Jim Bernier – Arrangements Co-Chairs, and Karen Potter-Witter and Bill Rockwell – Program Co-Chairs. These folks along with over 50 other MISAF Convention Team members have worked hard to make 1998 the best Convention ever. Their outstanding efforts have made MISAF proud. I would also like to recognize the excellent job Bill Sterrett has done chairing the Habitat for Humanity Project. He and his team along with the support of many volunteers; demonstrated to the public, in a truly visible manner, how foresters provide the resources required and desired by humanity. This project resulted in a tremendous amount of publicity about the Convention, SAF, and forest management.
This has been a very busy year. I want to recognize the UP Chapter for hosting the State Meeting in February. Under the leadership of Ken Salo and Bill Cook we had an excellent technical session on Lowland Conifers. This was the first MISAF winter field session in a long time – maybe the first ever? Thanks go to Roger Misiak who provided the leadership for a very successful legislative breakfast in March. A total of 33 legislators or their representatives attended; resulting in a request from Dave Anthony for a follow-up presentation to his forestry committee. Thanks to Bob Heyd and the Communications Team for distribution of the Forest Management Guidelines. I would also like to recognize the efforts of Bill Cook to maintain and improve our website. If you haven’t been there lately check it out. Thanks to Gary Carr for his leadership in re-organizing the Editorial Team. They have added some additional members to share the very important work of producing the Michigan Forester. Glen Moll and Joyce Angel-Ling led efforts that have improved the UP Forestry Auto Tour. Many travelers have asked for information about the tour and SAF as a result of this effort. Bill O’Neill as Chair-Elect has already handled several important tasks for MISAF. By revising the Strategic Agenda and working on next year’s Leadership Training, he has demonstrated that he is not only willing but ready and able to lead MISAF during 1999.
1998 has been a year of transition for MISAF. Many members have stepped forward to share the work involved with both the Convention and other MISAF activities. Mike Johnson is the new Editor of the Michigan Forester and Melissa Halsted is our new Publication Business Manager. Quent McNichols is our new State Secretary, Todd Green will chair the Awards Team, and Larry Leefers is our new Auditor. Jodi Kaiser is MUCC Representative to MISAF and Jim Bruce is MISAF Representative to MUCC. Dale Ekdom will handle the Forester’s Fund for the LP and Howard Lindberg has volunteered to be coordinator for all student activities. Mike Moore has stepped forward to be MISAF’S Centennial Liaison. We appreciate that these members have taken on these new responsibilities.
We also want to recognize those members that have stepped down from these positions and thank them for their service to MISAF. Shirley Frank has done an excellent job as Editor of the Forester for the last three years. Pat Fowler has been Publications Business Manager. Doug Heym is stepping down after serving as State Secretary for the last three years. Terry Read has done double duty as both Auditor and MISAF Representative to MUCC. Tim Gerou is stepping down as Chair of Awards Team after many years of dedicated service. Donna Hagan has handled the Forester’s Fund for the LP. Bill Rockwell is moving on from Chair of the Membership Team and Ned Caveney has retired from Policy and Communications Team Chair after many years of service. Also, while not a MISAF member, Bob Stine is stepping down from Council after representing us very well during his term of office. Please take the opportunity to thank these individuals for the excellent job they have done for MISAF. We appreciate their hard work.
In closing I want to encourage those members not taking full advantage of MISAF to get more involved. Attend state and chapter meetings. Take part in MISAF projects. Volunteer to fill a position. I have found that what you get out of a professional society is determined by how active you are in it. Having said that I will close by thanking you for the privilege of serving as your Chair during 1998. I have never gotten more out of my SAF membership.
SAF Great Lakes Leadership Conference
The State Societies of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin will be holding the first ever SAF Great Lakes Leadership Conference January 14-16, 1999 at Tree Haven Field Station, near Tomahawk, WI. This landmark event will provide a hands-on learning experience designed to build leadership skills that can be applied on the job as well as in relation to SAF.
A maximum of 60 attendees will be permitted to enroll. Preference will be given to current Society of American Foresters program leaders in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. If you are interested in attending this conference please contact Mike Lanasa (906-786-4062) by November 1.
Some of the accomplishments realized in 1998:
1998 is a year full of monumental accomplishments for SAF members and 1999 will bring in more great achievement. Don't forget to renew your commitment to SAF, so that you can maintain your connection to the profession and help ensure its continued growth.
The 1997-1998 Upper
Midwest
Capstone Report Awards
For the second year in a row, senior students from Iowa State University, Michigan State University, Michigan Technological University, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison submitted papers from their capstone courses to a panel of seven judges. The judges reviewed the papers for professional quality, ease of comprehension by the educated layperson, technical rigor, and a sense of land stewardship. Since each of the papers addressed different landowner objectives and different land areas, with tracts ranging from 80 to 18,000 acres, the task of judging eight lengthy and high quality papers was not an easy one. The judges selected the Michigan Tech paper written by Jacob Himes and James Schmierer as the first place paper. Himes and Schmierer analyzed management options for 80 acres of land owned by Michigan Tech and used as part of the University’s extensive network of cross-country ski trails. Second place was awarded to the Iowa State team of Dustin Bachtell, Jo Etzel, Valasia Lakovoglou, Michelle Ludwig, and Joe Lundh. They developed a management plan for the Mineral Crossings Farm, an interesting plan since the owners’ objectives included timber harvesting, cattle grazing, and a hermitage experience. The first place team received a $500 award and second place team received $250.
Capstone courses integrate the coursework of a student’s four-year academic career, requiring them to synthesize their knowledge in order to solve a complex land management problem. The capstone award program is a good way to recognize the hard work of the students who entered papers. The judges commented on the outstanding quality of all of the papers submitted.
The financial support for the program was provided by Biewer Sawmill, Inc., McBain MI; Kretz Lumber Co., Antigo, WI; and Lake Superior Land, Calumet MI. Judges this year were David Countryman of Iowa State, Charlie Decker of Biewer Sawmill, Gene Francisco of the Wisconsin DNR, Dan Kretz of Kretz Lumber, Monty Maldonado of the US Forest Service, Don Schwandt of Lake Superior Land and Jeff Stier of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For the past two years the program has been administered by Blair Orr of Michigan Tech. Administration for the next two years will be handled by Jeff Stier of the UW-Madison.
UP
Chapter Summer Meeting
by Gary Carr
In spite of seriously conflicting demands on the membership (such as summer vacations and a planning meeting for the National Convention this fall), 29 people met July 24th at Little Lake. Attendees bussed over to the new Sawyer Lumber Company sawmill site on the former Sawyer Air Base, where they enjoyed an informative tour hosted by Bill Hennigan and Mike Touchinski. This state of the art stud mill began operating in October 1997 and is presently at about 60% of capacity. Expected production when fully operational is 140-150 million board feet per year, primarily in 8 and 9-foot stud products.
The mill will employ 140-150 people, including 6 foresters. Primarily jack and red pine, white and black spruce, and balsam fir are used, drawing from all over Michigan’s U.P., the northern L.P. and N.E. Wisconsin. Impressive items: the 35,000 cords of inventory and the amazingly small stick that can be made into a usable product. The operation is something akin to a sausage factory; nothing is wasted, everything is used but the squeal. Sawdust is burned for power and waste is chipped for sale.
After a short business meeting and lunch at Little Lake, the group was briefed on Marquette County Forest by county planner Alan Feldhauser. An excellent tour of seven locations was then hosted by Feldhauser and county forester Bruce Spike. The 11,000 acre forest lies about 10 miles south of the city of Marquette and is managed for multiple use with an emphasis on forest products output. The lands have been actively managed since the late 30’s and presently yield enough income to the county to help fund management and operation costs of three county recreation sites.
The forested portion of these lands is 80% jack pine. The intent has been to manage the jack pine on a sustained yield basis with a 50-year rotation. Meeting this intent, along with coping with fire, insects, and disease has involved intensive harvesting and reforestation (including direct seeding). The group toured seven sites to hear discussion of various examples of these efforts. Bruce Spike was a unique resource to this tour in that he has managed the forest virtually since the county acquired it. The group was able to view merchantable-size stands and discuss them with the person that planted or seeded them! Although this is not remarkable in southern states, it is rather uncommon in Michigan.
Attendees ended the day with a better appreciation for the current sawmill technology, some understanding of jack pine management on the Marquette County Forest and 4 CFE credits. Thanks to Ken Salo and Bill Cook for putting this together in a very busy summer.
Great Lakes, Great Forests,
Great Convention
by Deb Huff
It is amazing that the convention has already come and gone. It was a whirlwind of activity - from the opening activities on Saturday to the very last words from Mike Moore on Wednesday. One great opportunity to learn, meet new people, renew old associations, examine new products, and explore new ideas. Very intense, but very satisfying. The Michigan Team deserves a salute for the smooth operation of all parts of the convention. The Grand
Traverse Resort was great, it provided the resort atmosphere that was casual, yet professional. I think most attendees were comfortable there.
Even though I wasn't an official volunteer, I think most of us Michigan SAF members chipped in and helped on various operations. A tribute to the can-do, positive attitude of Michigan SAF members in general. I thank the SAF members who worked long and hard hours behind the scenes to make the convention occur seamlessly. Some of those team members didn't attend any sessions themselves, due to the work they were doing on the operations of the convention. A big thank you to them.
I set up and staffed the Michigan DNR exhibit. Hopefully, you all got to partake in the 'dunes' there! We certainly had fun - again, all the exhibitors helped each other too. The Michigan SAF volunteers who staffed the exhibit area were also working long hours on their feet. I am sure that they were exhausted at the end of the day.
The Forester's Fund and the Silent Auction were a lot of fun. Not only did they bring in a lot of money, but they offered an opportunity for folks to interact with each other in still another activity. And the delicious Michigan apples donated by Lynn Bakker were unrivaled anywhere, as evidenced by the orders she received to return to other states. People ate about three times what was estimated, and I am sure that is due to their wonderful, fresh flavor.
The Habitat for Humanity home building was heartwarming. It felt good to contribute to this noble effort, and to showcase the partnership between the forest and the homes people live in. Gratitude is due to the organizers of this event, including, Bill Sterrett who chaired this project and the rest of his team. They helped make the project a reality. And they put a human face on foresters.
The entertainment was simply excellent. Personally, Culture Night and the Songs of the Lakes performances were terrific. I did not get to the other events, but wish I could have. It was good to see all the students there, and they seemed to be welcomed by all.
I was proud of the way we presented Michigan at this convention. The team that worked tirelessly to put it together, along with all the other incidental volunteers, deserve a formal salute and a huge round of "Well Done".
Michigan SAF's Habitat for Humanity Project
The Habitat Home at the 1998 Convention was built in a total of 5 days working an average of 6 hours per day. Well over 150 foresters from across the country helped take the home, under guidance and expertise of about 6 Habitat volunteer carpenters, from floor joists to shingles. What happened in these 30 hours was the culmination of many more hours of planning and promoting for this 3 bedroom, 1 bath ranch of 24 by 40 feet.
However, much more occurred than the physical building of a home. Michigan SAF can be proud in the fact that a greater public awareness was gained for the role professional foresters play in supplying our society with needed wood commodities as well as the myriad of other benefits we help provide by working with mother nature. At least four television, six radio and two newspaper interviews were generated from the project.
We were fortunate in the Grand Traverse Area to have a full time Executive Director for Habitat. Many locations are served by volunteers only. The fact that we worked with a well-established Habitat group with many homes to their building credit made our job much easier. We could concentrate more on making the connection between home and forest.
Forest industry donated all rough framing materials such as studs, trusses, particleboard (plywood or OSB) and dimensional lumber for beams and joists. Exterior wood siding was also donated but was not added due to time constraints because windows and doors would have to be installed first. It was important to us to keep in mind the benefits of keeping the wood products in the home easily viewed by the visiting public.
As for the building project itself, the optimal crew size was about 10 to 12 people, working 4 hour shifts. A sign-in / waiver sheet and first aid kit were on site. Recycling bins for wood scraps and other waste were made available. A forklift was handy for items such as shingles and wood bundles. We kept plenty of water and drinks on hand and some volunteer groups incorporated a meal in their building plans.
Looking back, it’s the volunteerism (and great weather) that stands out in my mind. Michigan, in particular can be proud of its role. Mike Lanasa, Pete Grieves, Denny Renken, Rick Moore, Bob Heyd, Russ Kidd, Glenn Moll, Shawn Hagan, Lynn Newell and Ernie Houghton all played key roles in obtaining donations, coordinating work crews and schedules and operating the visitor center at the build site. Thanks go to all of the other volunteers who showed up and worked so hard to make this home a reality.
As foresters, we do indeed have a great story to tell. Let’s keep building on our past foundations and nail down a bright future!
An Open Letter to Michigan SAFers
Wow, it's over! What a great Convention and what a wonderful way to show off the great State of Michigan and our well-managed productive forests! I am proud of you all, and you should also be proud...of your State Society, of your peers, of our own dedication and commitment to your professional society. Foresters from every walk of life were key cogs in putting together this important event. The diversity of participation was staggering...students, new graduates, mid-career managers, weather-beaten retirees, women, men, employees of forest industry, associations, utilities, consulting firms, academia, city, county, state and federal governments...we even had an apple grower-forester make a large contribution!
The list of people to specifically thank is just too large to be included here. Let it be noted that the hotel staff, the local community and the delegates all agree...it was a wonderful Convention! I am thankful for the opportunity to have worked with each of you. Please accept my sincere appreciation for what you have done to make our State Society stand out for years to come.
Your shipmate, Mike Moore
Sister Societies Meet at Convention
About 20 members of the Michigan and Mississippi Societies of American Foresters got together at the Convention to get acquainted. It was interesting to share perspectives on everything from the Convention program to the weather. Although the Traverse City area was experiencing unseasonably hot weather, Charles Disnukes from Mississippi stated it suited him fine. He had walked several miles in the surrounding countryside and never broke a sweat. This while all the Michigan folks were remarking about how hot it had been while working on the Habitat project that afternoon. We also discussed possible future activities involving the two MSAFs. We want to continue exchanging articles in the Magnolia Forester and the Michigan Forester. We also talked about exchanging items for the Forester Fund Raffles at our state meetings. For example we could send down some Michigan maple syrup or cherry butter from the Traverse City area. We also decided that a long-term goal might be to develop some type of exchange between members of the two societies. This will require a bit of funding so we will need to figure out a way to make it happen. Bill O’Neill and Stephen Emerson, Chairs-Elect of the two societies met at this spring’s leadership academy and continued the tradition that began in 1997 and that we hope will continue at each future leadership academy. At the conclusion of the get together all agreed that we should co-sponsor a hospitality room sometime during the Portland Convention in 1999.
The
Forestry Roundtable
by Cara Boucher, Cooperative
Resource Programs Section Leader
Michigan DNR, Forest Management Division
I was pleased to see articles related to non-industrial private landowners (NIPF) in recent Michigan Forester issues.
We spend a great deal of time considering our stewardship of public lands. We can clearly see our connections to federal and state forests from public involvement in decision making to implementing practices. Perhaps because we view public lands as providing public goods from wood products and recreational opportunities to clean air, clean water, and wildlife habitat, it is easier to focus on their management.
Yet forests managed by non-industrial private landowners provide many of the same benefits to society. Of Michigan’s 19 million acres of forestland, over 12 million are owned by private landowners. These forests are tremendous assets; they provide 76% of our annual wood harvest, countless days of hunting, fishing, camping, and bird watching, and inestimable scenic and peaceful moments.
In 1998, the Jobs Commission Forestry Roundtable identified assistance to NIPF’s as a priority. Throughout the year a sub group including private industry, Michigan State University Extension, private consultants, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Michigan Departments of Natural Resources and Agriculture, landowners, and Soil Conservation District Foresters, have met to discuss consistent service to landowners in the state.
The process is not complete but at least one significant piece has come from the work. A focal issue has been ‘what is the role of the public sector, particularly soil conservation district foresters, on private lands"?
I believe the role that the public sector has on private lands is providing information and incentives to private landowners. Incidentally, this role is also part of forest industry’s and non profit organization’s interest as well. We all want private landowners to make informed decisions that maintain and enhance long-term forestland sustainability.
First, there is a clear "public interest" in private lands. This interest comes not only from economic products but also from the connectivity that all lands have to each other; ecosystems cross human defined boundaries and the activities across these boundaries affect each other. Unlike public lands however, decision-making is, and should be made by the private landowner.
Currently information and incentives programs reach about 5-10% of landowners. With over 332,000 to 400,000 NIPF’s in Michigan that leaves many landowners without good information or assistance.
Quite simply, public sector foresters and natural resource professionals, whether with state, federal, or local government should provide information so that the landowner can make informed decisions about his or her property. Also important, is that public sector professionals direct landowners to private and non-profit providers who can implement practices on private lands.
Ideally, the landowner would contact a public sector resource professional who would, based on the landowner’s need, either direct them to a provider or conduct an on site visit to help the landowner clarify his or her objectives and get a sense of the person’s interest in managing their land. Based on the visit the professional would then direct the landowner to a private or non-profit provider who could help them implement their goals. The professional would also follow up with the landowner to determine what kind of services they used, products derived and how forest health has been enhanced.
For example, a landowner may be interested in wildlife management and erosion control. When the public sector resource professional visits with the landowner, it becomes apparent that the landowner wishes to manage for waterfowl, protect streams from erosion, and has high quality rotation age hardwoods. The resource professional would recommend contacting a private consultant who specializes in wildlife management, an industry forester, or a logger (perhaps a certified Michigan Professional Logger) who could develop a plan and implement the desired practices. The professional would also provide information on cost share opportunities and programs that would assist the landowner in long term management of his or her property.
If public sector foresters focus on landowner outreach, and provide consistent, quality service that connects the landowner to other forestry providers, we can contact more landowners and bring them into active, high quality management of their lands. By working together and having clear roles for public, private and non profits natural resource professionals, we can promote long term forest health and sustainability on all forest land in Michigan. And that helps everyone.
(Editor’s Note: These notes are actually a subset of the entire Executive Meeting Minutes. For a detailed account of the Executive Meetings, please obtain a copy of the Meeting Minutes.)
Membership Activity
| New Members: LP – Edward Hagan,
Luther, MI |
Transfers in: LP – Todd Parker,
Luther, MI |
Join me in welcoming these individuals to the Michigan Chapter of SAF! Remember our "Member-Get-A-Member" Campaign continues through the end of the year.
Featured Site: Michigan Chapter SAF
Address: http://forestry.msu.edu/msaf
Highlights:
SAF offers a wide variety of opportunities to volunteer and assist in making this the best professional organization around. Take advantage and increase the benefit that you receive from SAF. One easy avenue is to help with the publication of the Michigan Forester. Become a reporter, a photographer or simply help decide the content and layout. Even placing labels can be an enjoyable way of contributing. Contact Mike Johnson or any other member of the Executive team to learn how you can help SAF today.
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.