Sycamore Trails Resource Conservation

 and Development Council, Inc.

Forestry Committee

     This committee mainly focuses on education of private woodland owners in order to encourage good management and stewardship of forest resources. They conduct field days where the public can get instruction and hands-on experience on such topics as Timber Stand Improvement (TSI), harvesting, marketing, wildlife habitat development, tree planting and care, tree identification, and other forestry issues.

Woodland Owners' Awards Banquet

The Forestry Committee's annual banquet to honor woodland owners in our service area garnered comments such as "This is the best one of these I can remember!"  It was an evening of warm sentiment, as many long-standing members of the Forestry Committee were honored for their contributions, as well as forest stewardship.  Our thanks to Keith Ruble for hosting us at the Fowler Park Barn, south of Terre Haute, and for arranging for the delicious meal.    Scroll down for details of awards and photos (Click on picture for a larger image)

Keynote speaker was Dr. Burney Fischer, retired IDNR State Forester, now a professor at Indiana University Bloomington.  He spoke on forestry policy in Indiana -- looking back and looking to the future -- and the impact that it will have on woodland owners.

Winner of Outstanding Woodland Owner of the Year was Bill & Karen Beard, who have a woods in Putnam County, near Clinton Falls.  Bill hosted a Timber Stand Improvement field day at his woods several years ago, and has done tree planting and wildlife habitat improvement. 

Don Carlson, left, presents Bill, Karen, and son Stephen Beard with their plaque.  They also received a pair of tree pruners, held by Stephen, who made some comment about "slave labor" regarding TSI.

Raoul Moore presents a Friend of Forestry award to Everett & Jeanne McMichael for their generous support and hospitality to the Forestry Committee over the years.

Burney Fischer, our speaker and Bob Koenig's former boss, presents a Lifetime Service Award from the RC&D Forestry Committee for Bob's lifelong dedication to the forestry community.   Bob then shared a couple of his early work experiences.

Bev Pestel, our MC for the evening, presented Everett Ballentine with a Chairman's Award for his many years of involvement with our Forestry Committee, as well as other forestry organizations in Indiana.  Bev commented on Everett's bringing a "touch of class" to our meetings.

Jeremiah Lemmons, our current Chairman, presents a Chairman's award to Bob Miller in honor of his "wood-erful" contributions to our group, and many others.  We heard a little history of Bob's involvement and dedication to forestry, although he is still striving (unsuccessfully so far) to grow money on trees!

Many of our field days are graced with the meal of "creek bank 'taters" prepared by Bob Koenig & Bob Miller.  Here Raoul Moore presents two small potato-shaped walnut plaques to "B&B Tatering."   If you've never had them, you've missed a real taste treat!

Michelle Phillips, RC&D Assistant, also receive a tree-shaped plaque, hand-made of walnut by Raoul Moore, expressing appreciation for the "tree-mendous" job she does assisting the committee.

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DRAFT LEGISLATION ON FORESTRY BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR LOGGERS AND LANDOWNERS

Legislation is currently being drafted that will impact woodland owners and the timber industry.  Click here to download a copy.

FIELD DAYS AND EVENTS FOR THE PUBLIC

Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007 - 4th Annual Timber Industry Tour  - Over 30 people were in attendance at the timber industry appreciation event held in Vigo County.

• 2:00 PM - tour of Kirkham Hardwoods - Percy Mossbarger (standing on log) hosted the group at the mill facility
  

• 4:00 PM - tour of Fowler Park study plot on invasives - Ron Rathfon (second from right below) educated the group on control effort studies on invasives, including bush honeysuckle, at Fowler Park.  Keith Ruble, Superintendent of Vigo County Parks (far right below) hosted this part of the tour, and arranged for the dinner held at the Fowler Park Barn.
  
  
   

• 5:15 PM - dinner at Fowler Park Barn with speakers Duane McCoy of IDNR Div of Forestry and Ron Rathfon of Purdue University who has done studies on invasives, in particular bush honeysuckle.
        

                 Attendees hear info on proposed forestry legislation.   Above, Jack Nelson introduces speaker Duane McCoy of IDNR Division of Forestry who explained the legislation.

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Last modified:08/06/08