The Michigan Forester On-Line
A Publication of the Michigan
Society of American Foresters
Number 45, Iron River, Michigan, Summer 1999
IN THIS ISSUE . . .
SAF and Habitat for Humanity
Mike Moore Announces for Vice
President
Message from the
Mountain
A Message from the Chair
– Bill O’Neill
One Hundred Years of
Professional Forestry
50-year SAF Golden Awards,
Bob Hakala & Jim Meteer
U.P. Chapter Meeting Updates
Spring Meeting Wrap Up
– A Poem by Bill Botti
News From Mississippi Our
Sister Society
Technology Tip - Internet Source
of USGS Quads
Internet Corner - USFS
Forest Insect & Disease Leaflets
The
Alger-Delta-Schoolcraft SAF subchapter worked with the Bay de Noc Chapter of Habitat for
Humanity to establish a tree and shrub nursery. In early May, about 250 seedlings were
planted next to the Habitat office in Escanaba. SAF members Elizabeth Atkinson, Tom Cain,
Bill Cook, and Mike Lanasa worked with about a dozen Habitat volunteers to break sod and
plant the stock.
The SAF worked with Habitat Director Pat Viau to organize the event. The stock will be transplanted to newly constructed housing units as they are completed. There are enough seedlings to last two or three years. SAF members rendered advice on planting, care, transplanting, and root pruning. Everyone also put a solid morning of "sweat equity". The Bay de Noc Habitat Chapter will build 10 homes in 1999. The partnership between our two groups is a "natural".
Strategic
Objectives Set SAF Priorities for 1999-2003
By: Bill Rockwell –
SAF Council Representative for Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin
In 1998, SAF Council took on the task of developing strategic objectives for the organization as a key action, among others, to focus the organization’s governing board toward thinking more strategically. This process did not happen in a vacuum. Previous work of the Council, the membership and many key documents set the stage for this work.
First, the SAF Mission statement, Constitution and By-Laws were reviewed as core governance documents. The mission statement is the most important direction document for the organization. SAF Council reviewed and reaffirmed the content of the mission statement which reads as follows:
"The mission of the Society of American Foresters is to advance the science, education, technology, and practice of forestry; to enhance the competency of its members; to establish professional excellence; and to use the knowledge, skills, and conservation ethic of the profession to ensure the continued health and use of forest ecosystems and the present and future availability of forest resources to benefit society. "
Council is still discussing the structure of the statement, however, because it is mostly focused inward. The membership may see recommended changes to the statement in the near future -- changes to the Mission statement require a referendum of the membership.
Second, Council used the substantial priority setting work developed by Council in 1994. As part of that work, Council adopted a "role" statement for the organization that read:
"SAF (is) a broadly defined professional organization - In this role, SAF define(s) itself by addressing and embracing the full breadth of issues surrounding forests, foresters, and forestry. Emphases and advocacy vary depending on individual issues and circumstances. This role recognize(s) the diversity of responsibilities included in SAF’s mission statement without consistently emphasizing one element of that statement over another."
Council also adopted nine broad priorities as part of the 1994 process. These were:
In 1998, Council started by looking carefully at the external realities in society today, i.e. those issues and trends that will affect the profession in the next 15 to 20 years. Council used those learnings, built on the previous priority setting work and then took it one level further -- by articulating measurable ends for success in seeking to reach strategic objectives. In this way, we can be sure if we know if we are making progress toward these objectives. The intent is to re-visit the objectives at least yearly, for SAF staff to set work plans and programs in place based on the objectives, and to see what progress has been made toward reaching the objectives.
SAF Strategic Objectives
Council agreed to the following objectives and measurable ends for those objectives:
Membership and Diversity
Objective:
SAF will be recognized and supported by a growing number of professional foresters as the organization which best serves the profession.
Measurable Ends:
Professional Education
Objective:
SAF will provide leadership for formulating and implementing continuing education to insure the highest professional standards in service to society.
Measurable Ends:
Leadership
Objective:
SAF will continue efforts to engage and train the organization’s leaders at all levels to better carry out their leadership responsibilities for the profession.
Measurable Ends:
Policy
Objective:
SAF will be recognized by a growing percentage of the public and policy makers as the leader in providing credible and reliable forestry information.
Measurable Ends:
External Communications
Objective:
SAF will increase public recognition that scientifically sound stewardship of our nation’s forest resources through management is the most effective means to achieve society’s environmental goals.
Measurable Ends:
Finances
Objective:
SAF will maintain a sound financial condition to achieve the SAF mission through support of its programs and services.
Measurable Ends:
These strategic objectives are intended to be iterative, visited regularly, and most importantly, actively used to direct where we are going as a profession. Council and SAF staff want to hear from the membership on these priorities. Do they address the external realities you see affecting the profession in the next 5 years? Will they set direction that helps strengthen the profession?
Mike Moore Announces for Vice President
Michigan SAF member Mike Moore has announced he is a candidate for Vice President of the Society for the year 2000 which results in the winning candidate serving as President of the SAF in the year 2001.
The National Office mails ballots to members on September 1 and they must be returned by October 22, 1999.
Mike retired as the Director of the Department of Natural Resources in 1996. He presently is the President of Moore and Associates, a natural resources consulting firm, and teaches Forest Management at the University of Michigan.
A member of SAF for 38 years, Mike has long been active in local and national Society affairs. He served on the Council in 1980-81, has been Chair of the National Policy Committee in 1982-83 and again in 1997. He served as General Chair of the highly successful 1998 National Convention at Traverse City where the Michigan SAF was the host.
"I am proud to be a forester," Mike says. "The Michigan SAF has been a great place to be active in my professional society. I seek to gain your support during this campaign for Vice-President. In my campaign statement which will be published in the Forestry Source I discuss that I believe the strength of the organization is at the local level."
Message from the Mountain
By: Bill Rockwell -
District V Council Rep
I have just - literally - "come down from the mountain".
That is, the SAF Council and senior staff just met in inspiring (and very economical) surroundings at the rustic Manitou Experimental Forest on the Pike National Forest about 40 miles southwest of Denver, courtesy of Council member Tom Thompson. We shared a bunkhouse, cooked group meals together, and met virtually non-stop in a retreat-like atmosphere for two and a half days. Not only did we conduct our business more effectively (and, yes, cheaper) than usual, we also "bonded" and got to know each other better as people.
This is a good sign for SAF. I am not relating this to share my joy with you. What I want you to know is that SAF and our profession is making real progress in strengthening our understanding of one another across regional and employer lines. This can be seen at the regional and national leadership academies this year, and I have seen it at our annual meetings as well. The commonalities that we profess are stronger than our differences and, most important, it shows in the fruits of our labors.
Perhaps most notably, our Federal Land Management Task Force Report, Forests of Discord is having a real effect on Capitol Hill, and we can expect to be able to show a clear impact in the months to come. Likewise, our Forest Management Certification Task Force report was just endorsed by Council, and the Forestry Education Accreditation Task Force is making real progress. On all these issues I can assure you that we are "breaking new ground".
The SAF Centennial video on forestry is out, Michigan's lead on Habitat for Humanity (re-tooled by Minnesota SAF as "Forests for Humanity") is taking SAF by storm, the Portland convention is right around the corner (early registration closed June 30!), and planning for the Centennial Convention next year in Washington, DC, is exciting and going strong.
Among Council itself, we are defining "the broad field of forestry" in our membership bylaws by working to relate it consistently with accreditation, forester certification, and other SAF programs. We are also reviewing our mission statement, updating our strategic objectives, and clarifying our governance policies to help keep our focus up out of the weeds and on the big picture.
I have never been so positive about SAF and our profession. Real progress is always slow, but real progress is occurring. We will be entering 2000 with a new spring in our step and with real substance to offer the world. Our second century will dawn next year with as much promise as our first. With continued hard work, others will be as proud of our accomplishments as we are of our first century. Thanks to Michigan SAF for all our contributions to both.
Bill Rockwell, Michigan's SAF Council Representative, can be reached at 700 South Oakland, Saint Johns, MI 48879, at 517-373-4890 or 517-224-1233, or at rockwell@mich.com.
A Message from the Chair – Bill O’Neill
By: Bill O’Neill
– State Chair
Some random thoughts as we begin another great summer;
This year the deer fly population seems up in Northern Lower Michigan. The other day I found myself walking around an opening to avoid them which brought back fond field memories of working in the Dickinson County area of the UP. There too, in early summer, you would walk around an opening to avoid a forest pest, not the deer fly but the deer tick. They provided quite a scare to this Detroit born and raised forester when after a long walk down an open two track, I looked down and saw an entire regiment of ticks in full march up my pant legs looking for a good place to dig in. Considering some of the discomforts our profession provides, some may question our choice!
I am encouraged to see and hear such positive feedback regarding our Forestry/Habitat for Humanity video. This is turning out to be a wonderful tool we all can use to tell our forestry story. These comments are coming from fellow professionals, general public and even family members. I was especially pleased with my 14-year-old son’s positive reaction and suggestion we play it on channel one, the school TV channel. We have made arrangements to air it at the Gaylord Middle school and if anyone has a connection to the state or nation wide channel one network, let me know.
The policy group is meeting July 15 to move along with their agenda. They will be finalizing our fire management position statement as well as reviewing past statements and considering ones for the future. Have a thought on what we should be considering? Give them a call or drop them a line, they would be glad to hear from you. They will also be discussing our upcoming legislative breakfast. With last years large change over in legislators, this is a very important function and our opportunity to introduce SAF and the science based forestry we represent. You members, who live in and around the Lansing area may be asked to assist with this function, I know you will come through.
Are the leaders in your company or organization SAF members? It seems we are losing some of the leadership from our employers. Think about it and if you have any ideas why or how we can improve the situation please let Bernie Hubbard or me know. In the meantime let’s ask our company/agency leaders to join, explain to them it’s important to have them in out professional society and as with all new members, the benefits will be two ways.
One Hundred Years of Professional Forestry
Michigan SAF Plans Activities
By: Michael D. Moore – State Centennial Liaison
"American Forestry has a full and rich history, and a 100-year anniversary is an appropriate time to reflect on the past -- our successes, our failures, our controversies and our progress. At the same time, a Centennial provides an opportunity to look forward to our next 100 years -- to contemplate, develop, and share our visions for the future."
So states the opening paragraph of a letter to SAF members from the Centennial Committee Co-chairs. And it is a rich and full 100 year history for Michigan also. The SAF will be kicking off the Society’s Centennial year at the Convention in Portland, Oregon in September. It will end with a glorious celebration at the National Convention in Washington DC in November, 2000.
We in Michigan have a great professional forestry history. In Breaking New Ground, SAF founder and first president, Gifford Pinchot, states "In...1876 my Father took me to the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia, held to celebrate the hundredth birthday of the richest forest country on earth. It contained no forest exhibit of any sort or kind except for the single State of Michigan." So our heritage in forest management goes well beyond one hundred years!
During the next 18 months the Michigan Forester will feature in each edition a centerfold of Forest History articles. We hope to have articles to discuss the history of Forest Education in Michigan (and what a rich storehouse of information we have on this area of interest). Michigan State University, University of Michigan and Michigan Technological University all have a long and distinguished history of educating foresters. The list of alumni and faculty members reads like a list of Who’s Who in American Forestry History. However there are many other aspects to Forestry education including the Wyman School, the use of summer camps at Golden Lake, Dunbar and Camp Pori, and forest technician education that deserves to recalled and remembered.
The history of Forest Industry in Michigan is another rich topic for development. From the turn of the century to present day, Michigan forest industry has led the way in innovative technological developments, in land management, and professional forestry. From early sawmills to sophisticated pulp and paper operations, from the Grand Rapids furniture industry to a huge variety of specialty product operations, from the big wheels to the bow saw to the feller-buncher and grapple skidder Michigan has been at the forefront. And familiar names in forest industry -- Kimberly Clark, Packaging Corporation of America, Cleveland Cliffs, Abitibi to name a few-- should have their accomplishments recalled in this special Centennial Year.
The history of the National Forests in Michigan will also be featured. And what a great story we can tell about the formerly abandoned lands that today, after years of protection and management, are in such an outstanding productive condition. How the National Forests were organized, how the lands were acquired, early foresters, all fascinating stories. The Ottawa, Hiawatha and Huron-Manistee National Forests are a major part of Michigan’s forest history that we need to memorialize.
And the history of the State Forests is also a compelling story. Dating from 1903 with the establishment of the Higgins and Houghton Lake State Forests Michigan’s state forests have grown to almost 4 million acres of productive, managed forests. The foresight of the early conservationists and politicians to preserve these lands as forest reserves makes great history. The foresters that protected and lovingly cared for these lands over the last 95 years is a great story in itself.
So we hope to have these four subjects -- forestry education, forest industry, National Forests and State Forests -- highlighted in the next four editions of the Michigan Forester. And perhaps we will publish the articles in a single pamphlet at the conclusion of the SAF Centennial Year.
In addition, the Michigan SAF, along with all State Societies will be participating in a simultaneous ARBOR DAY event in the year 2000. Executive Committee members are working with the Michigan Arbor Day Committee to ensure this event will highlight the involvement of profession foresters in Arbor Day activities.
We are also planning a special event for either November 30, 2000 (commemorates the date of the first organizational meeting of the SAF in 1900) or December 13, 2000 (commemorates the day the SAF was officially founded in 1900). Hopefully this will be a large event to take place in the Capital City to recognize the contributions of professional foresters to society over the last 100 years.
Your State Society is also exploring ways to continue the Habitat for Humanity effort that was so successful at the Traverse City Convention. The National SAF is making this an area of Special Concern. We got off to a tremendous start in this area primarily because of the hard work of Bill Sterrett.
Michigan SAF also is applying for a $500 archive grant with the dollars to be used to further our Forest History efforts. It has been discussed that we need to organize an oral history project to record the memories of our long time members. I sure would like to see this happen, and soon. Anyone interested in working on this project should let me know.
Say, do these names ring a bell? Carl Fenner, Samuel Dana, George Blair, Bob Harper, Norman Smith, Bruce Buell, Gene Hesteberg, Bert Noblet, or Fred Haskins? Their photos hang in the Manistee Waterworks Museum and it is said that they are members of the Michigan Forestry Hall of Fame. I do not know the status of this noble attempt to honor Michigan Foresters and hope that maybe some SAF member will take on the task of bringing us up-to-date on the Hall of Fame.
The National Office is helping State Societies in their efforts. Public Services announcements will soon be distributed about forestry, forest history, the SAF and SAF history. We will need to distribute them to our local media. The Centennial Video is now available. A pictorial history of forestry is expected to be available in the fall.
SAF 50-Year
Golden Membership Award
By: Lauri LaBumbard
Bob Hakala was recently awarded SAF’s Golden Membership Award, for 50 years of continuous membership. Mr. Hakala was born in Ironwood and began his forestry "career" in 4H, where his main interests were conservation and forestry.
He graduated from Gogebic Community College, served in the military (Army Air Corps), then graduated from Michigan State University (B.S., 1947; M.F., 1952). He was a member of the National Forestry Honorary Society, Xi Sigma Pi and, of course, joined the Society of American Foresters in 1948.
Mr. Hakala’s career includes employment with the Cook County Forest Preserve, National Park Service (Lassen Volcanic N. P., Isle Royale N. P., National Capital Parks, and the NPS Western Museum Laboratory), and U.S. Forest Service, in Alaska. Some highlights of his career include the initiation of interpretive services at Isle Royale, the writing of the first comprehensive history of Isle Royale, and the first discovery of wolf tracks (1950) and proven presence of wolves on the island. Throughout his career, Mr. Hakala has been involved with planning, development, and production of interpretive services.
Mr. Hakala retired in 1977, but continued to serve on the boards of cooperating interpretive associations: Lake States, Isle Royale, Eastern National Forests, and the new Ottawa Interpretive Association, the latter of which he helped to get established. He has written a memoir of his life and work at Isle Royale, "On the Upward Trail with a Park Ranger", and wrote a documentary of the first ten years of interpretive services on the national forests in Alaska, "Forest Naturalists: On Land and Sea".
In October of 1998, the National Association for Interpretation honored Mr. Hakala as an "Outstanding Senior Interpreter". This was the first time this award has been given.
"My perception of management and protection of our natural resources pretty much follows the credo of the Forest Service: multiple use and sustained yield. In recent years, these terms have been badly and deliberately interpreted and maligned by many whose main goal is preservation with minimal use. Professional foresters have and will continue to serve at the forefront of wise use for the many uses of public forest lands."
Our congratulations go out to Mr. Bob Hakala for 50 years participation in the Society of American Foresters.
SAF 50-Year Golden Membership Award
By: Bernie Carr
James W. Meteer received his Society of American Foresters Golden Membership Award for fifty years of membership in the Society. The award was presented during an awards ceremony at the Michigan SAF spring meeting in Gaylord on March 26, 1999.
Jim was raised in Ohio and graduated from
Hilliard High School. He earned a BS degree in Forestry (1944) and an MS degree in
Forestry (1947) from the University of Michigan. From 1943 until 1946 and again in 1951
Mr. Meteer served in the US Marine Corps during WW II and the Korean conflict.
Jim Meteer started his professional career in 1947 as an assistant professor/research forester with the Ohio State Agricultural Experiment Station. Major projects included monitoring growth and stand response on over 30 experimental demonstration wood lots.
Jim worked as a private forestry consultant between 1954 and 1965. As a consultant he provided services to landowners in forest management planning, inventory, marketing and economics.
Mr. Meteer joined Michigan Technological University in 1965. From 1965 till 1980 Meteer worked as a Professor of Forest Research and Forestry at Tech’s Ford Forestry Center. Jim’s research consisted of numerous projects centered on forest management, forest inventory and tree and log quality. Emphasis was placed upon computer procedures used to summarize and analyze forestry research projects in the early days of computer use in Forestry. From 1980 until his retirement from MTU in 1984, Jim was employed as a Professor of Forestry teaching in the areas of forest management, finance and economics, logging cost analysis and computer applications.
James Meteer is currently a Professor Emeritus in the MTU School of Forestry and Wood Products.
Following retirement from Michigan Tech Jim owned and operated Superior Forest Systems a consulting firm specializing in strategic forest management planning, data analysis needs and computer hardware and software configuration. Professor Meteer retired from full time consulting in 1992 and has since restricted professional work to occasional consulting.
In addition to his professional career, Mr. Meteer has been very active in community affairs. He served as a member of the Board of Directors for Baraga County Hospital for many years. Jim twice chaired major school finance studies for the local K–12 school district. He is currently serving as a member of the Copper Country Intermediate School District Board of Education. Additional community involvement includes membership in Sons of the American Revolution, American Legion, VFW, Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, U of M Club of the Copper Country and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
Jim and his wife Lee (Capaldi) reside in L’Anse where they enjoy visits from their four children and nine grand children.
U.P. Chapter Meeting Updates
By: Bill Cook – U.P. Chapter Chair
It's already more than half way through the year and not much is happening regarding U.P. Chapter meetings. However, there's activity among a couple subchapters (Alger-Delta-Schoolcraft and Chippewa-Luce-Mackinac) and with many individuals working on state-wide activities (i.e. the Fall Meeting in SSM and the Michigan Forester).
Kevin Burns will be working on scheduling one or two hands-on GPS workshops. Hopefully, these will be coming together in July or August.
Glenn Mroz and I have been batting around some ideas for a DECEMBER chapter meeting at MTU with an emphasis on student participation.
I would like to see one or two additional meetings this year. I suppose this is rather ambitious, but we don't necessarily have to make arrangements any more difficult than necessary. A gathering and/or tour, associated with a lunch, is what I'm thinking of. A few ideas …
1. Role of the USFS in the
Michigan timbersupply.
2. Forest health issues and field tour.
3. Current forest product market trends including the world pulp market trend.
4. Logger-forester joint meeting with the Michigan Professional Loggers Council.
5. Prescribed fire potential and challenges in the U.P.
6. Tour of the Gogebic County Forest.
7. Visual management and forest recreation.
8. Harvest effects on, and planning for, wildlife habitat.
9. Emerging policy / legislative issues (i.e. SFI, sustainable forestry criteria
& indicators, green certification, independent contracting on public forests, etc.).
10. A joint meeting with the Wisconsin NE Chapter.
11. A WUPFID field day.
I'm probably going to be busier with the State Fall Meeting arrangements as the summer progresses. And if we can realize an MTU meeting, I would like to be part of that. I think the membership would be appreciative if a few folks would step forward and take the lead in planning a meeting. I would, of course, be willing to assist, but only as second fiddle. My "regular job" plate is full, just like yours.
Michigan SAF Spring Meeting Wrap Up
Wrap Up – A Poem by Bill Botti
SAF’s in the Treetops this
spring, ‘99
to talk owners’ rights — what’s yours and what’s mine.
We’ve heard sev’ral versions of how this is viewed,
Some we agreed with and some slightly skewed.
State Forester Theide kicked it off
chiefly
with comments at length about how he’d speak briefly.
He then introduced an int’resting fellow
Attorney at law, Mister Victor Merullo.
Victor taught us the law and how it
began
with ruthless King John and rights common to Man.
He spoke of our sov’reigns and told us, "beware —
although you may love them, you could lose your hair."
And then there’s due process
and statutes and law,
so many terms that he left us in awe.
There’s duty and injury, damage and breach,
don’t tread on your neighbor for an apple or peach.
Cases in Omaha; Colorado have shown
constructive knowledge means ‘we should have known.’
Invitees and easements and when he had ended
we all understood that ‘Least said is least mended.’
And then there was dinner of roast
beef and fish;
desserts were as tasty as any could wish.
And after the meal Bill Sterret did
show
a newly created, quite fine video
that told how the forests have regained the ground
they’d once lost, but can keep if our management’s sound.
And then were awards and quite
notable here,
Fifty year recognitions to our own Jim Meteer.
And what’s amazing - in honoring Jim,
we learned Lee’s spent fifty-five years married to him!
Jim told of his mem’ries and
most vivid of these
was driving up north; seeing over the trees!
He hailed the old-timers from work and from school:
Stott, Dana, Samuelson, Secrist and Buell.
And then in response to a sign
quite discreet,
he departed the lectern; returned to his seat.
Mike Moore came forth and proceeded
to tell
that our newest Fellow is H. William Rockwell.
Then a special award from our state chairman Bill
for distinguished service to DNR’s Freida Hill.
Other awards for the national
convention
and Habitat House - there’s too many to mention.
Foresters’ Fund - folks had various luck,
Dale said he had grossed over 900 bucks.
First to appear on the podium
today,
We were greeted and welcomed by Cara Boucher.
Maureen Rudel told us what rights
are worth,
reminding us property goes to the center of Earth.
She eloquently told us; conveyed her belief,
that though government’s us, it still is a thief!
Fred Meissinger told us he’s
pleased
with government assistance in planting his trees.
He’s derived satisfaction from managing the land,
but fears the land values have got out of hand.
Ray Rustem reported on the
endangered list
and from his report, the message is this:
Sev’ral species recov’ring once thought of as gone,
like the marten, the eagle and trumpeter swan.
Mike Hodgkins proceeded to bring us
to date
on procedural difference ‘tween fed’ral and state.
One thing that could lead to a fight-in-the-making:
that habitat loss can be considered a taking.
To enable the managers’ use of their lands,
they can make Habitat Conservation Plans.
Brad Wilkins was next - he’s a
wetlands expert –
suggested things to point out when we’re out kickin’ dirt –
to help an owner perceive values he owns,
like wetlands, tree cover and beach cobble stones.
The public has interest in our
watery wealth
related to zoning and safety and health.
It’s a balancing act to cover our needs
involving some easements or leases or deeds.
Maureen McDonough described before
meeting’s end
some of the non-industrial landowners’ trends.
Year by year as the forests get taller,
ownership parcels get smaller and smaller.
When foresters look at trends such
as these,
they fail to perceive people love to see trees.
Most of us recalling our favorite place
include the presence of trees upon the land’s face.
So, trees are important for more
than just wood:
we like ‘em around ‘cause they make us feel good.
(In answer to the question Maureen posed for fun:
its ninety-three million miles from the earth to the sun.)
Her point is well taken; the older we grow,
the more we realize that we do not know.
There was lively discussion
regarding reliance
on good information; avoiding ‘junk science’.
So, what does a landowner really
expect?
To be treated by foresters with trust and respect.
The numbers of suburban; ex-urbans are growing –
Their likes and dislikes are surely worth knowing.
The trees haven’t changed; the
question is clear:
How to make forestry relevant to those who would hear?
Just then things began to be more
exciting
as Maureen and Cara were up in front fighting!
So, what have we learned from our
stay in the Trees?
Not that we’ve rights to do just as we please.
We can’t simply bide ‘cross our line in the sand
for it affects others, how we manage our land.
No man is an island; we must not
forget
to consider our neighbors and children, and yet,
we need to preserve our prerogatives here
to manage lands for timber or deer.
We’ve amply displayed our
talents and skills
by helping bring timber stands back to these hills.
The state has improved in this century past;
the forest’s returned, but for this to last,
we must continue the work and maintain our focus
keeping mindful of wetlands, and warblers and crocus.
It’s not rocket science, but
there’s quite a lot to it;
Based on our record we know we can do it.
So let’s return to our work with renewed dedication,
determined to keep trees all over the nation.
May God add his blessings to you as
you go
to manage the forest for folks you don’t know.
And may you find wisdom to stay out of fights
when someone should question, ‘Just what are my rights?’
News From Mississippi Our Sister Society
-Cities Taking Growing Interest in Trees
There’s nothing like a good ice storm to make you see the value of trees. At least that’s how Indianola’s Joan Ely looked at Delta’s big 1994 winter storm, when trees everywhere came crashing down or where mortally wounded. "It woke everybody up," said Ely, a retired first-grade teacher and driving force behind the city’s effort to protect its trees.
The city of 13,000 is one of the few places in Sunflower County, with all its cotton fields and catfish ponds, that has many trees left. "That’s why we’re working so hard on urban forestry," Ely said.
Across Mississippi, cities are waking up to the many values of their urban forests – from boosting property values, to attracting economic development, to filtering pollutants and easing floods. Some cities such as Biloxi, Hattiesburg and most recently, Grenada, have hired full-time foresters. More and more communities are adopting or considering tree-protection ordinances in response to growth that is leveling trees along their rural edges.
"Some cities finally are realizing that tree cover is an important part of their infrastructure," said Mark Anderson, hired as Hattiesburg’s forester in September. Anderson had worked 13 years with the U.S. Forest Service. Some urban forestry advocates say there is evidence trees have important social benefits. A 1996 study at Chicago’s Robert Taylor Homes public housing complex found that buildings surrounded by more trees had more interaction among neighbors and less violence.
TECH
TIP – Provided by the MiSAF Science & Technology Team
An Internet Benefit
By: Rod Ritter
USGS topograhpic maps can be downloaded from the Internet free of charge. These maps are in a TIF format and can be viewed with MS Imaging (normally found in Accessories in Windows 95) or they can be displayed with most GIS software. The files are Georeferenced so they are automatically placed in their proper locations with GIS software that provides this option.
These maps are useful in identifying potential water quality issues during timber harvests. They are a great addition to management plans.
Follow the following steps to obtain your USGS Topographic maps:
1. Open www.gisdatadepot.com
2. Select ‘ Enter Catalog’
3. Select ‘ Enter The Data Catalog ‘
4. Select ‘ USA ‘
5. Select ‘ Data Grouped by State ‘
6. Select ‘ Michigan ‘ ( or desired state )
7. Select ‘ Data Grouped by County’
8. Select desired county
9. Select the green downward pointing arrows.
Watch for other helpful information related to natural resource management in this location. The MiSAF Science & Technology Team encourages continuing education and the sharing of information for the advancement of our profession.
Featured Site: Forest Insect & Disease Leaflets
Address: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/nr/fid/fidlpage.htm
Highlights: USDA Forest Service -- Pacific Northwest Region Forest Insects and Diseases on-line leaflets for many insects and pests all over the US.
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.