Inside
The first half of 2001 has been busy. Senate Bill 325 (SB 325) requiring the registration of foresters in Missouri has prompted much debate and examination of our profession. The potential of this bill to impact the forestry profession was enormous. Let me outline briefly the events that have unfolded.
SB 325 was introduced into the Missouri Senate in early January. The initial bill was unworkable and unrealistic with much of the initial language contradictory.
After much discussion at the winter meeting the membership voted to provided comments on SB 325 to Shelby Jones and to help craft a bill that was acceptable to MOSAF membership. Shelby Jones, along with the Policy & Legislation committee and input from many members, drafted a substitute bill and delivered it to Senator Bill Foster, the bill's sponsor.
Senator Foster took many of our comments and crafted a version very close to ours. This substitute bill was introduced at a meeting of the Agriculture, Conservation, Parks and Tourism Committee on February 15, 2001. At that committee meeting I represented MOSAF and testified for the bill. I tried to convey that there was not a consensus among the MOSAF membership on the need for such a bill, however, we could support the language in the substitute. Several others testified representing various groups.
The next week SB 325 was voted out of committee. Its next stop was the floor of the Missouri Senate. Debate on the Senate floor centered primarily around the cost. The Committee on Legislative Research Oversight estimated the cost of such a registration program to run about $500 per year for a pool of 300 foresters. This cost was deemed excessive.
Senator Foster has withdrawn the bill for this year. No further action will be taken by the Missouri Senate.
As you consider these events, please spend some time thinking about what you personally believe. As you organize your personal thoughts, please keep the ultimate goal in mind the health and sustainability of Missouri's forests. I would hope that together we could work to have a positive impact on Missouri's forests without dividing ourselves in the process.
There is a good chance that the issue of forester registration will be
introduced in the next legislative term. How will our state society respond the
next time?
MOSAF Receives the "Ol' Pinch" Award
Mike Hoffmann
Missouri SAF was awarded the Pinchot Prize for the second consecutive year and for the third time since 1988. The award is presented to the state or multi-state society that makes the greatest per capita contribution to the Foresters' Fund. In calendar year 2000, MOSAF contributed a total of $1,262 or $5.95 per member. This was about one dollar per capita higher than the next closest state.
The Foresters' Fund provides grants back to states to assist in the recognition and support of foresters and the forestry profession. MOSAF has received a number of these grants in the past, including one last year for the Forest Heritage display at the State Capitol. The award is a 12-inch tall carved wooden statue of Gifford Pinchot. It is currently displayed outside the Forestry Division offices of the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Special recognition is due to last year's Foresters' Fund Committee and everyone who assisted with the raffle and auction at the Missouri Natural Resources Conference. Dennis Rhoades chaired the Foresters' Fund Committee and Bill Altman coordinated the raffle and auction. Many others worked hard to acquire items for the raffle and auction, ran for the "Blackjack Forester Award" and worked at the MOSAF booth.
A special thank you to Crader Distributing of Marble Hill who donated the
Stihl chainsaw. Thanks also to all MOSAF members who purchased raffle tickets
and bid on auction items. Let's see if we can make it three in a row!
State's forests increasing
Tom Treiman
The Missouri Department of Conservation and the North Central Research Station's Forest Inventory and Analysis unit (NCFIA) are continuing fieldwork on a new forest inventory of Missouri. Previous inventories of Missouri were conducted in 1947, 1959, 1972 and 1989. Work on the fifth forest inventory was begun in 1999 and represents a change to an annual inventory system. Under the annual inventory, one-fifth of the field plots in the state are measured each year.
The current inventory of Missouri's forest resources will be completed in 2004 and then a continual remeasurement of field plots will continue. Because each year's sample is a systematic sample of the state's forest and due to the need for timely information regarding Missouri's forest resources, preliminary estimates from the initial annual inventory have been released.
Due to the limited number of field plots measured, the following numbers are subject to change when ensuing annual inventories are completed and data compiled. All data presented are estimates and are based on sampling techniques. As additional annual inventories are completed, sampling errors will decrease and additional data will be available.
Results of the 1999 inventory of Missouri show a slight increase in the area of forestland. While forestland area continues to increase, the rate of land conversion from other land-uses to forestland has slowed. It appears that in the 10 years between inventories (1989 to 1999), the area of forestland increased by about five percent.
Timberland, which is a subset of forestland, has followed the same trend in Missouri. Timberland is forestland that is capable of growing trees at a minimum level (20 cubic feet per acre per year) and that is not restricted from harvesting. It appears that the area of timberland in Missouri has now surpassed the level that existed in the early 1950s.
Missouri is well known for its oak-hickory forests, every inventory conducted in the state has reflected this dominant forest type. The 1999 inventory estimates that almost 3/4ths of the timberland in Missouri is dominated by oak-hickory and associated species.
The area of publicly owned forestland in Missouri increased from being about 15 percent of all forestland in 1989 to about 17 percent in 1999. Publicly owned timberlands are a critical component of the landscape as they are major sources of wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation, and other social and environmental benefits. These public forests also have better stocking rates than privately owned timberlands in Missouri. Stocking is the degree of occupancy of the land by trees.
More than 80 percent of the publicly owned timberlands in Missouri were classified as being moderately to fully stocked. In comparison, about 70 percent of the privately owned timberlands were in these stocking classifications.
The initial annual inventory of Missouri shows that area, stand-size class,
stocking, growing-stock volume, and most other measures related to forestland
and timberland continue to increase. This is a positive note for the state and
instills excitement as we await further implementation and completion of
additional annual inventories in Missouri.
Industry hugs biotech trees
Kathryn Brown, MIT Technology Review
First there were herbicide-tolerant soybeans and worm-resistant corn. Despite the controversy swirling around such genetically engineered crops, they are now planted on millions of hectares of U.S. farmland. And there are growing indications biotech trees will be next.
Three of the world's largest paper and lumber producers have formed a joint venture, called ArborGen, that hopes to be the first group to commercialize genetically modified trees. ArborGen expects to seek approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other regulatory bodies for mass planting by 2005. Based in Summerville, SC, the company has access to the vast research base of its corporate parents: International Paper, Westvaco, and Fletcher Challenge Forests, plus a New Zealand-based genomics company, Genesis Research and Development.
What tree is a likely first candidate? ArborGen isn't saying. But the venture has access to several technologies for tree modification. Among them are ways to suppress genes that produce lignin, a plant component that must be chemically removed to make paper. Other technologies include ways to make trees herbicide tolerant and to minimize crossbreeding risks by controlling their ability to reproduce.
Trees headed for the market from ArborGen include genetically modified hardwoods like poplar and sweetgum, used for high-quality paper products. ArborGen also believes it can stock plantations of modified pine and eucalyptus trees, workhorse species that can be used for building products or ordinary paper pulp. "I think the first product we put out will be a very important product, not only for technical performance, but in how we are perceived," says Maud Hinchee, the newly hired chief technology officer at ArborGen. "We want to make sure that when we launch a product, it will be perceived by the public as safe and beneficial."
Environmental groups are already concerned. "There's a big difference between genetically modified crop plants and trees, in the sense that trees are perennial and live a long time," says Jane Rissler of the Union of Concerned Scientists. "Will tree roots pump out a genetically modified toxin for years and years? And what happens if you have insect-resistant trees spreading genes to relatives that live outside, in unmanaged ecosystems? There are many ecological issues with [modified] trees that need to be carefully studied."
To prepare itself for the emerging debates over biotech-tree safety, the industry has joined with the state of North Carolina a center for both biotech research and the $3.2 billion forest-products industry to form the Institute of Forest Biotechnology, a Research Triangle Park, NC-based think tank chartered to promote the societal benefits of modified trees and address environmental concerns. Steven Burke, the institute's director, argues fast-growing, efficient stands of modified trees could better serve the needs of the paper and wood industries while reducing chemical pollution from papermaking and leaving more wild forests alone.
The think tank will have a lot to think about: ArborGen isn't the only group
developing biotech trees. In the past decade, the USDA has given 136 approvals
most in the last three years for small outdoor test plots, some of which
include fruit trees. David Wheat of the Bowditch Group, a Boston-based
agricultural technology consulting firm, says work is also progressing in labs
and testing fields as far flung as Canada, Australia and South Africa.
"Genetically modified trees," he says, "are reaching the point of practical
application. They'll enter the commercial sphere gradually, because of
regulatory and public concerns, but also because you don't plant a million
[hectares] the first year out." But, he added, "I don't think we are going to
see genetically engineered Time magazine pages until 10 years from now."
Presley honored with Karkhagne Award
Shelby Jones
Jerry Presley, retired director of the Conservation Department, was honored by the Missouri Society of American Foresters with its Karkhagne Award during the Natural Resources Conference. The Karkhagne Award recognizes professional foresters for outstanding contributions to natural resource conservation and the science of forestry.
Shelby Jones presenting the Karkhagne Award to Jerry Presley
It is named for a mythical beast invented in the bunkhouses of nineteenth century logging camps and pre-dates the Paul Bunyan legends of the Lake States timber harvesting era of the early twentieth century.
Presley is a native Missourian, having been born and raised in Shannon County. He served his country as a member of the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. After returning home he attended the University of Missouri in Columbia and graduated with a degree in Forest Management in 1958. He has been a member of the Society of American Foresters continuously since joining the student chapter in 1956.
He was a career employee of the Conservation Department, retiring as its director in 1996. Following retirement, he continues to serve his state and nation through volunteer activities for major natural resource organizations. He is currently President of the Board of Directors, Missouri Forest Heritage Center; Secretary of the Board of Directors, Conservation Heritage Foundation; Treasurer of the Board of Directors, American National Fish & Wildlife Museum; and President of the Advisory Council, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri.
While the Karkhagne is awarded solely to foresters, this year's recipient takes its spirit to a higher level. He has demonstrated a unique ability to unite all natural resource disciplines toward common goals and address contentious issues with truly professional demeanor.
As State Forester and later Director of the Conservation Department, Presley promoted involvement of his professional staff in activities of their respective professional societies. His insistence on professional demeanor, appearance, conduct and knowledge contributed to Missouri's leadership role in national resource management issues. His own spirit of cooperation led MDC relationships with the public, other agencies, news media and academic community.
In all aspects of his public life, Presley achieved professionalism through honesty and genuine interest in others. He has worked both in the forefront and behind the scenes on every major conservation issue in Missouri in the past 30 years. Throughout his career he was known as a unique administrator who placed the welfare of Missouri citizens above all else. He is one of those rare individuals whose friendship is a known commodity.
The Karkhagne Award is the highest honor accorded a member of the Missouri Society of American Foresters. The sum total of the lifelong work of Jerry Presley qualifies him as one of SAF's most productive and influential members. This award is a long overdue recognition of his contributions the natural resource legacy of Missouri.
In October 1946, the Society of American Foresters began a cooperative project with the American Forestry Association to assemble a collection of photographs and biographical sketches of foresters and conservationists to be housed at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The aims of the project were (1) "to preserve in a safe place the records and pictures of the men who have participated in forestry and conservation history in America and abroad" and (2) "to have readily accessible, in a central place, biographical material which may be used as editorial background whenever it is required" (Journal of Forestry, June 1945, p. 466).
Doug Young smiles for photographer Cliff White during the Natural Resources Conference. His photo will be added to the Centennial Forester Collection housed at the Forest History Society Library
Named the Pinchot Collection in honor of Gifford Pinchot, the first chief of the U.S. Forest Service and a strong supporter of the project prior to his death in 1946, the collection grew to include portraits and biographies for over 1,000 individuals by 1950. Although materials continued to be donated for this collection after 1950, additions tapered off over the years.
Now, half a century later, SAF is urging its members and other foresters to contribute biographies and portraits for the Forest History Society's Centennial Forester Collection, which is modeled after the Pinchot Collection at the Library of Congress. At the 2000 SAF National Convention in Washington, the Forest History Society was taking portraits and biographies to add to the collection.
Since only a few MOSAF members were able to attend the convention, we decided to make an effort to have more Missourians represented in the collection. At the 2001 Missouri Natural Resources Conference, the MOSAF collected portraits and biographical information about foresters and conservationists whose careers have developed during the mid- to late-twentieth century. There was a booth in the exhibit hall of Tan-Tar-A where conference attendees could have their portrait taken by a MDC photographer Cliff White. Biographical data forms could be filled out there or mailed back at a later date.
More than 80 natural resource professionals had their portrait taken during the conference but less than half have returned their biography. A completed biographical data form must accompany every photo entering the collection. It is not too late to return your form. If you need a new form, contact Bruce Palmer. Missouri SAF will send our contribution to the Centennial Forester Collection at the end of May, so don't miss this opportunity to have your portrait and biography archived in the Forest History Society's library.
Cynthia Carr assists Wayne Wittmeyer and Carol Trokey at the Centennial Forester booth.
Enrollment in the Forestry undergraduate major is up a bit from last fall semester. In Fall 1999, we had 55 students, while this fall 65 were enrolled, nearly a 20% increase. Presently (winter semester 2001), we have over 65 students in Forestry, so our numbers continue to increase.
During this same period, total undergraduate enrollment in The School of Natural Resources also increased, from 450 to 470 students. This increase is attributable, to some extent, to what could be termed the "Earth Day phenomena." Increasing retirements in natural resource career fields require an increased number of replacements, thus creating improved employment opportunities for our students. We presently have some 10-12 graduates each year, with most going into industry. This number will increase over time.
Dr. Hong He, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, joined our faculty this summer to establish a program of research and instruction in GIS applications and landscape ecology. A certificate in GIS is planned for some future date. Four courses are planned to comprise the core of the certificate program: Introduction to GIS, Advanced GIS, GIS Algorithms, Landscape Ecology. One course has been developed, Advanced GIS, and it is being taught this semester as a topics offering prior to formal approval.
The University of Missouri, Department of Forestry, along with Purdue University and University of Tennessee-Knoxville, were successful in competing for a $4.15 million grant to address environmental and socioeconomic issues in the Central Hardwood Region. A computer- assisted decision model will be produced that incorporates biological, economic and social dimensions of landowner actions at local and landscape levels.
In addition to MU faculty members, state and federal agency personnel are involved in the project. A 15-member Stakeholder Advisory Council, comprised of 5 members per state, has been formed to provide input on issues confronting natural resource owners and to provide project oversight. Dr. Bill Kurtz is the Principal Investigator on the project.
French elected to SAF council
Bruce Palmer
Tim French, forestry regional supervisor in Columbia, was elected in November to a three-year term on the Society of American Foresters Council. As a member of the council, French will be one of eleven council members that provide leadership and set the direction of the Society of American Foresters at the national level. French will represent SAF members in the states of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Oklahoma and Arkansas.
French has been active in SAF for 25 years. He has held all elected offices
and several committee assignments in Missouri SAF. He has been appointed to
national positions on the Certification Review Board, Foresters Fund Committee
and Membership Committee. French received the Karkhagne Award from Missouri SAF
in 1994 and the Outstanding Service to Forestry Award from the SAF Council in
1983.
Education Committee Report
Carol Trokey
Interest in Continuing Forestry Education (CFE) credits continues to grow. One CFE certificate was awarded in 2000 to Steve Thurman. Another was awarded to Wade Conn this winter. The Education Committee hopes these numbers continue to grow. If you would like to serve on the Education Committee please contact me or give me your suggestions.
If you are sponsoring a workshop or course, please contact me for CFE credit evaluations. The credits can be included on the program or can be given as a handout at the meeting. I have the forms in an electronic version and can be emailed quickly. The list of evaluated workshops has been updated and will be available on the MOSAF website or can sent to you.
Carol Trokey, Chair
(573) 592-1400 (w)
email: dtrokey@socket.net
Johnny Tuttle and Tom Ronk work on a new trail at the Forest Heritage Center property new Winona. MOSAF members held a work day at the Center prior to the fall meeting in Van Buren
The Membership committee met on February 1, 2001 immediately following the winter MOSAF business meeting. Several students participated in the committee meeting and shared valuable ideas pertaining to improvement of the MOSAF student/mentor program. We discussed upcoming student/mentor events which will include a field trip and barbeque with the students at Mizzou forestry summer camp in June and a field trip and tailgate party this fall on a football Saturday in October.
The students also expressed interest in being matched with forestry professionals for job shadowing opportunities. WE NEED MORE MENTORS! I currently have 10 students who have signed up for the mentor program, but I only have 5 MOSAF members who have signed up. I will be sending out another letter requesting mentors in late March. Please participate this is a great bunch of students!
The SAF national office has launched its 2001 Membership Campaign. It is called "Surpassor" and is based on the hit TV show "Survivor." Each state society is in a tribe and will receive challenges and REWARDS! MOSAF is in the "Betula Tribe" with four other state societies (National Capital, New England, Great Plains and Ohio).
Tribe members will have to work together, support each other and share ideas to win the reward challenges. The goal is to OUTRANK all other SAF state societies, OUTSHINE as the top star, and provide OUTREACH to new members to strengthen our profession and help SAF grow. So, get out there and recruit members! I will be contacting many of you as I coordinate MOSAF's response to a number of Surpassor Challenges over the next nine months.
MOSAF members Phil Sneed, Mike Hoffmann, Larry Lackamp, Helene Miller, along with Shirl Quick (Partly hidden) and Chris Coe assist with Habitat for Humanity project in Grain Valley. During the Centennial MOSAF members worked on Habatat projects in St. Joseph, Columbia, Cape Girardeau, and Grain Valley
Winter Meeting Minutes
David Massengale, Secretary/Treasurer
The winter business meeting of Missouri SAF was held February 1, 2001 at
Tan-Tar-A Resort, Osage Beach, Mo. Chair Justine Gartner opened the meeting at
3:30 and welcomed all who attended. Introductions were made of the executive
officers:
Chair: Justine Gartner
Chair-Elect: Dennis Rhoades
Secretary/Treasurer: David Massengale
Also introduced was our District IX Councilman, Tim French. Six students attended the meeting and introduced themselves. We had one visitor from the Minnesota SAF Tom Schmidt. Pepper Martin was accompanied by four students from the NRCC.
Treasurer's Report (Dennis Rhoades) Balance in two CDs: 6 month ($13,256) and 12 month ($12,243) Checking: $6,782.73.
District IX Councilman (Tim French) Tim attended the December council meeting in Washington. It was their Christmas Party and gifts from MOSAF were given. The budget situation was not what was anticipated. The Centennial Celebration did not produce the revenue that was hoped for. The council made some decisions on what to do. There were staff reductions and reassignments. The "Focus" section of the Journal of Forestry was discontinued. Fees for credentialing were increased. There were concerns about membership because this provides substantial money. How can we help? Centennial Celebration is still accepting money. Please donate. Each member should try to get at least one new member.
Leadership Academy (Bob Cunningham) Council has decided to move the Academy to Nebraska. They would like to see people from all walks of the forestry professions attend. Employer support has been bad in the past. The Council is asking for financial support from local SAFs to help pay for attendees. Dennis Rhoades will attend this year.
SAF National Convention (Justine Gartner) One of the themes was: "Is SAF relevant to today's foresters?" National wants to provide something for the membership, i.e. activities. A list was made of the key issues that foresters are facing today. Licensing of foresters was one of the issues that MOSAF is directly working with.
Justine recognized several people for awards. Retirements: Fred Crouse, Robert McQuilken, Paul Johnson, Bill Yoder and Robert Cecich. Committee awards for 3 years or more service: Mike Morris Membership; Dennis Rhoades MNRC Steering Committee; Lezlee Johnson Newsletter Editor. Mike Hoffman mentioned that Bill Klatt and Jack Slusher also retired earlier. Mike was also given recognition of his position as Past Chairman of MOSAF.
Audit (Carl Hauser for Doug Young) Records looked good so Dennis won't have to serve jail time. Suggestions were made to help with the confusion of the checking account: 1) Move the account to CECU in Jeff City and 2) Separate the PLT and regular funds.
Communications (Mike Hoffmann) Committee had not yet met but was going to work on the communications plan for the future. We're also planning on updating the MOSAF website. Bruce Palmer mentioned the photography project to archive foresters for the Centennial Celebration is still going on and is available downstairs. You can get the biography on yourself filled out and sent back to Bruce.
Council Members, Fellows, and Awards Committee (Carl Hauser) We had nine retirements last year. We gave three committee awards this year. Tim French was nominated for Fellow; petitions were circulated through the crowd. Outstanding Senior Award to be revived. It was last given in 1996. Send any information to Carl Settergren at Mizzou. Bruce Palmer has been nominated for the National SAF Journalism Award.
Education (Carol Trokey) We were busy last year with CFEs. There is a list of courses here at the meeting and also on the webpage. Only one certificate this year given to Steve Thurman.
Historian (Greg Hoss) Nothing new at this time.
Membership (Lisa Allen) At the end of 2000 there were 212 members in MOSAF; 195 professionals and 17 students. Will be making calls to folks with delinquent dues. Right now it is difficult to get existing members to show and participate. The Student/Mentor Luncheon was changed to a social and seemed to work better. Will probably continue the social. National is launching a new membership campaign: Surpassor Outrank, Outshine, Outreach. There are rewards for getting new members.
MNRC (Mike Huffman) 2004 is MOSAFs turn to head up the conference. The committee would like to come up with a theme by this fall. Also looking at getting nationally known speakers like Stephen Ambrose. Should invite the Governor and some local politicians. Tan-Tar-A has been sold so right now it is up in the air as to what will happen with this facility. Helene Miller: National SAF is looking at Missouri for the National Convention in 2004 also. Could create a conflict.
Natural Areas (Steve Paes) Discussed goals for the year. Chair would provide natural area locations to committee members. Some of the areas should be inspected. Make sure area managers are aware of natural areas. Possibility of future MOSAF meetings include trip to an area.
Newsletter (Bruce Palmer) Spring Newsletter will go out in April; deadline will be March 15. Please feel free to send any information on an event or happening to Bruce.
Nominating (Steve Spezia) Please send any nominations or information to Steve. Get involved by being involved. Justine: We want to make sure that everyone is informed. E-mail is an excellent way to send info fast. If you want to be included in e-mails, make sure we get your e-mail address.
Program (Dennis Rhoades) Working on a Technical Training Session on Bottomland Hardwoods.
Resolutions (Joe Walker) Nothing new at this time
Special Funds (Dennis Rhoades for Bill Altman) This is the old Foresters' Fund. The money we make on the raffles will stay here locally. We can decide on what we want to give to National. Looking at getting a sponsor for the newsletter. This will help defray some of the costs associated with printing and mailing. Tim Stanton: We could direct some of the money to help students attend the conference.
Tellers (Bill Kickbusch) Involvement in SAF is the only way to get something out of it. 40% voted on two ballots this year. That's about 80 members voting. Encourage others to participate and vote. Justine: The Bylaws were voted on and passed this year.
Policy and Legislation (Tom Draper) The hot topic: Forester Credentialing. A lot of this was covered at the MOSAF meeting in Van Buren. A general agreement was made by those attending that we should pursue the issue. Form our own draft while the Senate is drafting SB 325. MOSAF doesn't agree with the wording in the Senate version. Who are the Players in this: SAF Consultants MDC USFS.
A general barrage of questions, answers and statements began flying at this point concerning the Forester Credentialing and SB325. Wording in the present version of SB325 is poor but it is believed the sponsors are open to suggestions. If you have suggestions for our version send them to Shelby Jones by February 7.
Final thoughts: Procedures must be within our (SAF) bylaws. What about a position statement? 1) Has to be agreed on by National SAF; 2) Executive committee should take it to National SAF; 3) MOSAF statement must be approved by National. This bill will likely be in committee in 15 days. Motion to have executive committee make statement and send to National SAF Carried.
Motion to adjourn at approximately 5:15 p.m.
May 1-3. Urban Wildlife Management Conference, Lied Conference Center, Nebraska City, Neb. Contact: National Arbor Day Foundation, PO Box 81415, Lincoln, NE 68501; 888/448- 7337.
May 19-23. SAF National Leadership Academy, Lied Conference Center, Nebraska City, Neb. Contact: Louise Murgia; 301/897-8720 x 118; murgial@safnet.org.
September 13-17. SAF National Convention, Denver, Colo. Contact: Madelaine Morgan, SAF director of meetings and conventions; 301/897-8720 x 111. For more information visit www.safnet.org/calendar/natcon.htm.
January 30-February 1, 2002. Missouri Natural Resources Conference.