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Home , Dendrology, Felling

May 2004 Volume 236, Number 2

In this Issue

Comments from the 2 Chair & Chair-elect

Magnolia Executive Committee 4 Minutes F ORESTER 6 Chapter News http://www.cfr.msstate.edu/mssaf

MSU’S STUDENT CHAPTER OF THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN 8 National SAF News HOST COLLEGIATE

An estimated 300 student king of the lumberjacks. Whatever we lumberjacks from 14 universities gathered can do to promote the sport is great.” Position Statement near the Mississippi State University Conclave events featured competition 9 campus in late March to test their skills in in a variety of events that included knife a variety of events. throwing, throwing, chain throwing, MSU’s Student Chapter of the Society log rolling, log birling, archery, pole of American Foresters hosted the 47th , , log chopping, and Association of Southern Clubs’ bow and crosscut sawing. First-, second- 10 Award Winners Conclave at MSU’s John W. Starr and third-place finishers were recognized. Memorial . The event featured the “While it is unlikely that employers Stihl Timbersports Collegiate Invitational are interested in how quickly prospective Qualifier. employees can fell or climb a , the In addition to MSU, other universities competition is still an integral part of the 12 Features represented at the Starkville event forestry college experience,” said Keith included Alabama A&M, Arkansas- Belli, associate dean of MSU’s College of Monticello, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Forest Resources, which is celebrating its Georgia, Louisiana Tech, North Carolina 50th anniversary this year. State, Oklahoma State, Stephen F. Austin Beyond the physical events, however, State, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Virginia MSU faculty noted students also will Tech. compete in academic and technical “We’re very excited about the activities such as wildlife identification, conclaves,” said Roger Phelps, timber estimation and —the promotional communication manager for scientific study of . Stihl Inc. “We’re hopeful we’ll find a new “The physical events are fun for students and spectators; however, the technical events are competitions in which the students’ forestry education is best displayed,” said Donald Grebner, an associate professor of forestry and faculty advisor to MSU’s SAF chapter. “Success in The Magnolia is published the technical areas is also worth more quarterly by the Mississippi Society competition points than the physical of American Foresters events.” Comments from the Chair

There is an old saying "Time flies someone you know that would be a good when you're having fun", so I must be candidate to receive one of these awards. having the time of my life. The year is Don’t stop there, turn in the nomination(s). almost half over and it seems like it only We need to honor the professionalism of Mississippi Society of begun. As usual, I am behind on all the our members at every opportunity. American Foresters little details that need to be done to keep To the Chapters, I would like to ask things going but am meeting almost all that your election of officers for 2005 be deadlines. prior to the end of December. The Maurice Mitchell, Chair One of the things that I would like to National office starts requesting the new 601.928.4174 get done early is the awards and officers shortly after the first of the year and I hate to say it, but I am still stalling [email protected] recognitions for this year. The deadline for the national field forester selection is them on some of the current officers. In coming up very soon. I have received this age of instant communication, i.e., Bryant Myatt, Chair-elect one excellent nomination but would like to the Internet, we need to have our 601.261.0033 have more. We are in a rotation websites up to date as a show of the tenets of our organization. [email protected] procedure with Texas and Louisiana and this year should be our year for the I recently had the opportunity to selection so look around for someone in attend the Capitol Chapter meeting in Randy Watkins, Past Chair this category and make your selection Jackson and spent an evening with a great group of folks, some of whom I had 601.606.4607 known. not seen in a while. The Capitol Chapter [email protected] It is not too soon to be turning in your proposals for the "Outstanding Young will be the host for the 2005 annual meeting and they are forming their Forester" and the "Distinguished Service committees and have set the dates for the Scott Payne, Secretary Award." I hesitate to establish a deadline meeting. It will be March 2-3, 2005, the on these nominations but if we could have 601.650.7300 first Wednesday and Thursday in March. our choice's made by November 1, we [email protected] We had some serious conflicts with our would be in wonderful shape. meeting last year so please mark your There are a number of national calendar with this date and, as the Stephen Grado, Treasurer awards that I'm afraid we have not often planning for meetings comes up in your 662.325.2792 taken advantage of to honor our other associations, you may help avoid [email protected] members. These awards are listed on any conflicts. We had a very successful www.safnet.com along with the meeting this year with the Broadleaf qualifications, nominating procedures, and Chapter and it appears that the Capitol Tammy Coleman, Business Mgr. deadlines for nomination. I would Chapter is well on its way for continued 662.325.2946 challenge all of you to go to this website, success. [email protected] read the qualifications and then think of

Karen Brasher, Editor 662.325.8530 [email protected]

2 Magnolia Forester/May 2004 Comments from the Chair-elect

As an old retired forester I continue to have an products. Because industry has long term goals as interest and commitment to the principles and practices well, it too must be concerned with the land and the of forestry. replacement of its resources. Everyone working in the My interest in forestry was ignited at MSU in the field of forestry must be concerned with the broad fifties and through the years my work has nurtured that concepts of conservation and replacement of our interest and added to my commitment. In those early natural resources. days we had slide rules, manual calculators, and no Today, my commitment is especially to the future. computers. The technical equipment we routinely use The natural resources that have played such a today was still resting in some creative minds. With the dominant role in my vocation and avocation need to be advent of more equipment our profession has become conserved and replaced so that they may be used and even more scientifically based. enjoyed by my descendants and yours. I cannot As a forester, first for government and then for imagine a Mississippi or an America without its beautiful industry, I have been involved in a variety of forestry and its abundant wildlife. My grandchildren and wildlife concepts. In government work, the focus deserve no fewer resources than my generation was on the land and the natural resources. In industry, enjoyed. For this and other reasons, I continue to be the emphasis was on the acquisition of the raw material actively involved in organizations such as: SAF, products needed for production of its profitable Forrest/Lamar CFA, and MFA.

In Memory

Oliver H. Baumann, 79, died Tuesday, March 30, 2004, at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center. Mr. Baumann retired after a 35 year career as a forester with International Paper Company. He was a WWII veteran of the U.S. Navy and a member of the Mississippi Society of American Foresters (Capitol Chapter). Mr. Baumann is survived by his wife, Naomi Bauman of Madison; son, Terry Baumann of Ridgeland; daughters, Cheryl Patin and husband, Jules of Jackson and Debbie Sutherland and husband, John of Jackson and Lori and Lynn Bauman of Madison; brothers, Roland and Louis Bauman and sister, Catherine Sievers, all of Michigan and numer- ous nieces and nephews.

3 Magnolia Forester/May 2004 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

A. Annual Meeting Report Scholarship within the College of Forest Resources At the time of the Executive Committee Meeting was discussed. There are currently 21 seniors in there were 118 registrants, 91 SAF members and the CFR. 27 non-members, 15 exhibitors, 26 sponsors, and 36 silent auction items. Estimated income was E. Legislative Days $24,000 and expenses were estimated at $10,700. Legislative days will be held in Washington, DC on June 15 & 16, 2004. B. Policy Committee The severance tax position statement was F. MS SAF 2005 Annual Meeting published in the last Magnolia Forester. Discussion The 2005 Annual Meeting will be hosted by the was held regarding ways to forward the MS SAF Capital Chapter. professional forester position statements in Mississippi. The Committee discussed potential G. Leadership Training in Nebraska speakers for future Chapter meetings. Steve Grado nominated Don Grebner to attend this Recommendations include: Wayne Tucker, forest training and motion received a 2nd and was inventory; Jim Sledge, MS Forestry Commission; carried. Clay Lewis, Economic Development; Representatives of MS Dept of Wildlife, Fisheries H. Representative for National Meeting and Parks for forestry committees. Bryant Myatt will attend the national meeting in The policy committee also reported having 12 to 13 Alberta, Canada. policy positions on the books now. New issues are welcome. I. 2004 Executive Meeting Schedule: Executive committee meetings are scheduled for: C. Council Report Thursday, May 20, 2004 at 10 a.m. Discussion was held regarding the new layout of Thursday, August 19, 2004 at 10 a.m. the and Forestry Source. Don Friday, November 19, 2004 at 10 a.m. Bell made a motion to send $500 to National SAF toward the cost of John Helms attending the MS SAF Annual Meeting in Vicksburg, MS. Steve Grado seconded the motion and it carried. Field Forester award nominations are due by the first of July. This year's SAF National Conference will be held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

D. MSU Advisory Committee Issues surrounding the administration of the Sharp

4 Magnolia Forester/May 2004 A NNUAL M EETING S PONSORS

The MS SAF would like to extend a special thanks to the sponsors and exhibitors of the 2004 Annual Meeting. Exhibitors: Haglof Inc. J.M. Jones Company Federal Land Bank Association Weyerhaeuser Company Forestry Suppliers Company, Inc. Georgia-Pacific Corporation Gold Haglof Inc. AmSouth Bank International Paper Company Entergy LandMark Systems Linden Lumber Company Mississippi Forestry Commission Soterra LLC Photo Map Technologies Provine Helicopter Service Silver Red River Specialties, Inc. Bowater Forest Products Division USDA Forest Service Charles Donald , Inc. USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Forest2Market Service Kitchens Brothers Vicksburg District, Corps of Engineers Memphis Hardwood Flooring Weyerhaeuser Company Monticello Hardwood Inc. Mutual Credit Union Sponsors: Red River Specialties, Inc. Resource Management Platinum Anderson-Tully Company Bronze BASF Corporation Deer Creek Forestry, Inc. DuPont

Magnolia Forester/May 2004 5 CHAPTER NEWS Four Lakes members to help start recruiting efforts. The cooks of Twenty-three members attended the last meeting. Cypress Lodge were thanked for their excellent steak The first order of business was about topics at the dinner and hospitality. We also thanked Mike upcoming state meeting. Members were informed to Wiseman and Georgia Pacific for their tour of the wet- get their auction items for the Forester's Fund to Don weather logging operation. Bell or Charles Dismukes. Charles Dismukes made a proposal to encourage new membership by paying for Capitol half of the National dues out of the local chapter On February 26, 2004 the Capital Chapter met at the fund. Bobby Edwards, Vice-Chair added to the Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center in motion that this should be on a first-come, first Raymond. Wayne Tucker and Pat Glass with the served basis. The motion was seconded by Tom Mississippi Institute of explained the Vigour, and approved by attending members. Charles new initiative to inventory the forests of Mississippi. Dismukes suggested to schedule the next meeting for They also discussed the remote sensing tools and April 19th at the MSU Forest Products Lab to tour the techniques they would be using to assist with the TimTek mill. Members were asked to make new collection of this data. Twenty-five members were suggestions for future meetings to Chapter officers. present at this meeting. The Capital Chapter will Carl Johnson, Forestry Instructor at Holmes meet again on May 6, 2004 at Chimneyville Community College in Grenada, is willing to offer a Smokehouse in Jackson for the second quarter GPS short-course in Grenada. They will allow the meeting. Kendall Moore an attorney with extensive chapter to sponsor the course and any proceeds from knowledge of environmental case law in Mississippi tuition for the 2- or 3-day class will go directly to the will be our speaker. chapter. CFE for the class will be approximately 5 hours, Category 1. Chapter members recommended Northeast the course tuition to be around $150. Charles The Northeast Chapter is planning a Spring meeting Dismukes will meet with Carl Johnson and finalize May 13th at the NE district office of Mississippi plans by the next meeting. Councilman Don Bell gave Forestry Commission. Bob Karr from MSU will be a report to the chapter about the need for bringing us an update of programs and issues from recruitment into the National Chapter. There are the College of Forest Resources. We will be electing approximately 16,000 national SAF members. Last officers for this year. year there were 97 national members lost in Mississippi & Louisiana. Mr. Bell is encouraging each Loblolly chapter to pick up at least 4 new members and we The Loblolly Chapter met on March 27th at the Mid- can help turn this membership problem around. Mr. South Equipment Show Site. After a brief information Bell passed out 4 membership forms to chapter meeting and luncheon, attendees enjoyed the

Mississippi Society of American Foresters Chapter Chairs Four Lakes Broadleaf Mr. Charles Dismukes Dr. Brian Lockhart 662.464.7740 662.686.3171

Magnolia Loblolly Mr. Eric Tuberfield Dr. Debbie Gaddis 601.671.0597 662.325.8002

Capitol Homochitto Mr. Trey DeLoach Mr. Chad Smith 601.857.2284 601.587.1125

Northeast Longleaf Mr. Tom Morgan Dr. Glenn Hughes 662.348.2800 601.794.0671

6 Magnolia Forester/May 2004 CHAPTER NEWS conclave activities - pole felling, crosscut competition - the Student Chapter sponsored an American Tree and the enthusiasm of tomorrow's professional Farm Certification training workshop for students at foresters. Mississippi State University. The chapter assisted in organizing the event and invited Mississippi Forestry JCJC Student Chapter Commission personnel to provide technical assistance. On April 26th, the student chapter was involved with Approximately 20 students registered and received the Forrest-Lamar Counties Forestry Association their American Inspector's Certification. annual golf tournament. The Forrest-Lamar Forestry This event was being held at no monetary cost to Association has set up this event to raise money for students. The MSU SAF Student Chapter hosted the forestry scholarships. 47th A.S.F.C. Annual Conclave in Starkville, MS at the Equipment Show site on the John W. Starr Memorial MSU Student Chapter Forest from March 25-27, 2004. Mississippi State On April 19, the MSU SAF Student Chapter hosted a University was a prior host for Conclave in 1990 and crawfish boil as a gesture of appreciation for all those in 1976. At Conclave, students from 14 southern students and non-students that assisted in the set up forestry schools participated in both physical and and management of the 47th A.S.F.C. Annual technical events. The top three winners of this Conclave. The crawfish boil was held at the pavilion year's Conclave were University of Arkansas at on the Equipment Show Site. Forty people were in Monticello, 1st Place, Stephen F. Austin State attendance. On April 16, members of the Student University, 2nd Place, and University of Georgia, 3rd Chapter sponsored Project Learning Tree activities for Place. the third grade at the Overstreet School in Starkville. Tree factory lessons were presented to numerous classes. In addition, students participated in a writing competition on "What the forest means to me." A certificate and ten dollars were awarded to the best overall essay and five dollars to the best essay per room. On April 15, the MSU SAF Student Chapter assisted the College of Forest Resources and the Dean's Student Council with the organization and operation of the MSU CFR Awards Banquet. During the banquet J. Daniel Prevost, MSU SAF Chapter President, received the "Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award" from the Department of Forestry. In addition, the Chapter had the opportunity to recognize Dr. Keith Belli as the "Outstanding Forestry Faculty Member," Amy Castle for "Outstanding Leadership," and Bryan Netterville for "Outstanding Service." On April 13, new chapter officers were elected. Positions filled included, President, Vice- President, Treasurer, Secretary, Conclave Chair, Service Chair, Editor/Publicist, Sergeant of Arms, Junior/Senior Representative, and Freshman/Sophomore Representative. Our new officers for the 2004-2005 year are J. Dan Prevost, President, Miles Henderson, Vice-President; Wayne Duke, Treasurer; Angela DeLaughter, Secretary; Jeremy Norris, Service Chair; Mike Strange, Conclave Chair; David Busby, Editor/Publicist; Bert Turcotte, Social Chair; Bob Harmon, Sergeant of Arms; Jeremy Creel, Junior/Senior Representative, and Eric Ezell, Freshman/Sophomore Representative. On April 10,

7 Magnolia Forester/May 2004 NATIONAL SAF NEWS

Edmonton to Host International Gathering of Foresters

The year’s largest gathering of forest practitioners first-hand look at how western Canada has responded in North America will occur when forestry to management concerns in the boreal forest. professionals from Canada and the United States The boreal forest region of Alberta, an area that meet October 2–6 in Edmonton, Alberta. comprises 48 percent of the province, offers a great Organized under the theme “One Forest Under diversity of vegetation and wildlife. From the wetlands Two Flags,” the program for this international that surround the meandering Hay River to the lush gathering offers attendees new discoveries and mixed forests of , , and in the insights about the forests that extend into both Lakeland area, the boreal forests of Alberta contain a countries and will enhance the collegiality and variety of ecosystems that provide habitat to an camaraderie between forest practitioners on both astounding array of , including moose, river sides of the border. The meeting will be organized by otters, whooping cranes, and woodland caribou. the Society of American Foresters (SAF) and the Meeting attendees will be pleased to know that Canadian Institute of Forestry/ Institute forestier du the province of Alberta is home to a burgeoning forest Canada (CIF/IFC). products industry. According to the provincial “No one will go home disappointed,” promises government, manufacturing shipments of Alberta’s Canadian general co-chair Brydon Ward. “Edmonton is forest products grew from less than $1 billion in 1984 a modern city with a beautiful conference center to more than $4 billion in 1999. Once regarded as a overlooking our stunning river valley. We’re on the producer of little more than commodity lumber, the doorstep of a vast northern wilderness containing the forest products industry in Alberta has become a boreal forest, rich in history and mystery. Some of the diversified sector that produces and exports lumber, world’s largest products companies operate pulp, fiberboard, engineered building products, and here, and we’re also home to incredibly innovative furniture. forest researchers and .” Several technical field workshops and tours to The meeting will offer numerous scientific and several of the province’s newest and most productive technical sessions and opportunities for professional lumber mills are planned, as are outings to the development that are available nowhere else. region’s leading forest research and development Sessions devoted to international forest facilities. management, North America’s forest products The joint meeting between CIF/IFC and SAF will marketplace, sustainable forestry, forest health, fire be the latest in a long series of meetings between the management, and ecological restoration have been two national forestry organizations that began in scheduled, and there will be a host of papers and Ottawa in 1930. More recent meetings have taken posters on topics ranging from ecological forest place in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1978; Quebec City in management to enhanced fiber production. 1984; and Anchorage, Alaska, in 1994. The meeting will provide the opportunity for For more information about the CIF/IFC and SAF forest practitioners to discuss Joint 2004 Annual General Meeting and Convention, practices, learn about the latest forestry research, and visit the SAFwebsite at www.safnet.org/ or the network with practitioners from across North America. CIF/IFC site at www.cif-ifc.org. By traveling to Alberta, practitioners will also receive a

8 Magnolia Forester/May 2004 POLICY SCOREBOARD

The Policy Scoreboard is a regular report in the Magnolia Forester on Policy Committee activities. Please express your opinion on any or all of the positions of the MS SAF by sending an email with your comments to the Policy Committee at [email protected] or call 662.325.3151.

Last week there was a call from an SAF colleague resources and economic development sectors to protect, from the state of Maine. He was asking about the process and sustain our natural resources while promoting busi- we had used to develop so many forestry position state- ness development opportunities." The NRI mission state- ments in Mississippi. The Maine Division of the New ment says, "Our mission is to facilitate achievement of an England Society of American Foresters wants to get more environmentally sustainable, healthy and dynamic econo- active in policy development and they contacted us to dis- my through creative partnerships that value the use and cuss what we had done to post our large number of posi- protection of our natural resources and human capabilities tion statements. I spent about 30 minutes on the phone for the benefit of present and future generations." Similar explaining our philosophy and process for position devel- initiatives are being developed for the lower Delta and the opment. lower Pearl River basin and are also connected to the Afterward, I thought it great that other states were Pascagoula River Basin Alliance. The NRI Network (as looking to Mississippi SAF for leadership. Then it occurred mentioned on the NRI for North Mississippi brochure) to me that we can't rest on our accomplishments. The includes The Sierra Club, the Audubon Society, the Mississippi SAF is the voice for the forestry profession in Conservancy, Wildlife Mississippi and the Wolf River our state. As such, we have a responsibility to lead on for- Conservancy among others. It does not include the est resource issues and provide our experience and Society of American Foresters. Do you think it should? expertise to decision makers. To do this we must discuss What is the potential downside if we are not included? issues among ourselves and know what we think the We on the Policy Committee plan to investigate these future should be and work toward that future. As of today, issues but I challenge each SAF member to ponder these we don't have a unified vision for Mississippi's forest questions and begin to talk to other SAF members about future. them. I further challenge SAF Chapters to begin holding How are we going to use our position statements? Do programs with speakers from substantive agencies on we know what we want to say? Do we, as a profession, important topics such as: have the courage do develop a picture of Mississippi's forestry future? What is our vision for the future of z Mississippi Forestry Commission: 16th section land Mississippi's forests and organizations that work with those management, state land management, future of the forests? What plan are we going to follow and what MFC actions need to be taken to accomplish the future forests z MS Department of Environmental Quality: report we think Mississippi should have? What should be the on your local watershed basin future of the Mississippi Forestry Commission, the MSU z National Forests: new 10-year plan, management College of Forest Resources, or any other state organiza- of local district tion that influences Mississippi's forests? These questions z Mississippi Tax Commission: timber severance tax and more need to be asked and discussed in our circles so z Mississippi Development Authority: work on forest we can develop our vision for the future forests of our industry recruitment state. z Mississippi Institute for Forest Inventory: inventory Before we dismiss the idea of imagining the future progress forest condition in Mississippi we should realize that other z MSU College of Forest Resources: Dean, Forestry groups that want to influence the future uses of Department Head Mississippi's forests ARE organizing, planning, and working z Legislators: your local Representatives and to make their vision a reality. For example, the Mississippi Senators (their views on forestry), and Department of Environmental Quality has created a "basin Appropriate Committee Chairs: House: Forestry - management approach" to protect and restore the quality Bobby Shows; Agriculture - Blaine "Bo" Eaton; of Mississippi's water resources. Eight watershed basins Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks - Eric Robinson; have been identified for the state and an initial report has Conservation and Water Resources - Jamie Franks,Jr. been written for each. These plans are available on line at Senate: Forestry - Billy Harvey; Agriculture - Cindy www.deq.state.ms.us and will be used to implement Total Hyde-Smith; Economic Development and Tourism - Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for Mississippi streams Scottie Cuevas; Environmental Protection, when that time comes. conservation and water resources - A network of environmental groups, their affiliates T.O. Moffatt; Wildlife, Fisheries and and state and federal agencies are developing another set Parks - Lynn Posey. of plans. I recently learned of the Natural Resources 9 Initiative for North Mississippi (NRI). According to their Magnolia Forester/May 2004 brochure, "The NRI of North Mississippi brings together federal, state and local representatives from the natural award winners

Charles Dismukes was Ryan Ramsey received the Dan Prevost received the MS recognized as a SAF Fellow by Outstanding Young Forester SAF MSU Student Chapter Jason Kutack Award from Maurice Mitchell Award from Maurice Mitchell

10 Magnolia Forester/May 2004 award winners

Randy Watkins was recognized Jason Kutack was recognized Annual meeting chair Glynn as the past chair by current as the outgoing national presi- Brown was recognized for all of chair Maurice Mitchell dent with a life-sized poster his hard work

John Helms, National SAF Vice James Peterson received his Julius Remel received his 50 President was the keynote 50 year golden member year golden member certificate speaker certificate from Maurice Mitchell from chair Maurice Mitchell

Not Pictured:

Bob Daniels received the Distinguished Service Award.

Preston Padgett was recognized as a SAF Fellow.

MSU Student Chapter of the Society of American Foresters students attended the annual meeting

11 Magnolia Forester/May 2004 features

MSU study analyzes economic impact of To better assess overall marine angling marine resources expenditures in Mississippi, the researchers also called for additional study of expenditures by private pier A new Mississippi State study confirms that operators and private-boat marine anglers. commercial sport fishing is both good recreation and very good business—more than $35 million in good business, to be exact. A recent research project by the university’s Forest and Wildlife Research Center focused both on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the state as a whole. Forestry graduate student Emily Loden of Fulton surveyed 630 anglers and marine activity participants during 2001 to gather data on spending patterns and recreational choices. She found that marine-related economic impacts totaled $31.8 million in coastal Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson counties and $35.9 million statewide. Additionally, coastal marine resources supported 685 full- and part-time jobs statewide. Funded by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, the study was designed to help policy- makers and the public realize the economic value on areas of low-impact natural resource-based recreation activities, said Steve Grado, an associate professor of forestry. “We knew that marine-related recreational and tourism expenditures contributed to both the state and local economy,” Grado said. “Little information was available, however, on the actual economic impacts of marine resources of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.” To fill the information void, the MSU research team looked at a variety of activities, including on-shore fishing, fishing tournaments, and marine-related museums, festivals and educational centers. Policy-makers and the public are often challenged with land-use issues, often between developing and conserving the resource,” Grado explained. “Placing an economic value on activities justifies funding of existing public areas and also validates the building of additional public sites.” The study recommended that the amount and quality of public outdoor recreation sites and events on the Mississippi Gulf Coast be increased and improved to promote the use and conservation of marine resources. Doing so will correspondingly increase their economic values. “Our research clearly indicates that fishing and related activities on the Gulf Coast benefit the three coastal counties and Mississippi,” said MSU wildlife Jeanne Jones, an associate professor of wildlife and fisheries.

12 Magnolia Forester/May 2004 features

Anti-logging protests mark Bush Mississippi are dying down administration official visit

With a little rain and flourishing greenery, Agriculture Undersecretary Mark Rey canceled an Mississippi's forestry firefighters are finally getting a impromptu meeting with environmentalists to discuss break from the wildfires, which had them going non- on the Biscuit fire Friday after he was stop for five weeks in March and early April. confronted by angry protesters. The unusually dry spring weather sparked hundreds The roughly 50 shouting protesters who assembled of wildfires across the state, mainly in southern outside Rey's speech to the Oregon and Washington Mississippi. chapters of the Society of American Foresters "We had no rain, strong gusty winds and low foreshadowed future confrontations in the if the humidity levels, which caused the fire behavior to be so Siskiyou National Forest goes ahead with plans to log intense," Kent Grizzard, the Mississippi Forestry 518 million board feet from the area burned in the Commission Information Officer, said. Biscuit fire, environmentalists said. In those busy five weeks, the commission's The Biscuit fire burned 500,000 acres in firefighters were fighting up to 30 fires a day, now they southwestern Oregon, making it the nation's biggest are down to two or three a day. in 2002. It is the focus of an intense debate over From July 1 to April 5, the Mississippi Forestry whether it is better to salvage timber killed in wildfires to Commission responded to 2,500 wild fires, which speed up restoration of fish and wildlife habitat, as the burned nearly 39,000 acres. Forest Service and timber industry want, or leave Grizzard said 64 percent of that acreage had forests to recover naturally, as environmentalists and burned since March 1. some ecologists advocate. "We are not as busy as we were, but we haven't Four Forest Service and U.S. Bureau of Land received our season ending weather, yet," said Andy Management police with batons pushed against about Fillingame, the emergency telecommunicator supervisor, 20 protesters to make room for Rey as he left his for the southeastern district of the Mississippi Forestry speech at Southern Oregon University to drive to the Commission. Ashland Ranger Station, witnesses said. Fillingame said there needs to be more rain to help When Rey more protesters at the ranger keep wildfires low throughout the summer. station, where he was to meet with about five Grizzard said the majority of wildfires start in rural environmentalists, he decided against going through areas from people who are burning debris in their with the meeting, said Siskiyou National Forest yards. spokeswoman Mary Marrs. He said people need to check humidity and wind "What they requested was a private meeting with levels before they burn and be sure to have someway five or six people," Rey said in an interview. "What they to put a fire out if it gets out of control. wanted was a second protest." Fillingame said fortunately most of the spring Spencer Leonard of the Klamath Siskiyou Wildlands that people were doing is over, but he cautions Center, an environmental group, said the estimated 50 if people want to burn debris, be aware of the weather people shouting anti-logging slogans outside Rey's conditions. speech was an expression of the anger people feel "Our weather does change from day to day," he over Forest Service plans to conduct what may be the said. largest timber sale in history on lands burned in the Grizzard said the commission is going to continue Biscuit fire. to watch the weather conditions and hope for more Rey said he expected the plan for salvage logging rain. on the Biscuit fire, due to be completed in coming "We are a bit concerned that when we have a weeks, to play out similarly to salvage logging on the prolonged spring fire season, like we had the past two 1987 Silver fire, which also burned on the Siskiyou months, we tend to feel that could go over into the National Forest and was hotly opposed by summer time, if the summer is dryer than normal" he environmentalists. said. "We hope it doesn't turn out to be that way." Associated Press Associated Press

13 Magnolia Forester/May 2004 features

Southern forest managers fight back against invading species

One doesn't travel far in North Mississippi without don't want it here." seeing evidence of the law of unintended The third group of forest-threatening exotic insects consequences. is bark beetles. When added to natives such as the Kudzu was once hailed as the savior of Southern Southern pinebark beetle, their effect in killing stands soils, but the same tenacity that enables the "foot-a- of trees can be dramatic. minute " to hold eroded hillsides has destroyed Some exotics have been eradicated - screwworm in millions of acres of Southern timber. cattle and the boll weevil in cotton, for instance. But "in Fires were once considered the enemy of forest general," Brown said, "once an exotic species is management. As a result, built up years of established, we have a very hard time getting rid of it." fallen trees and undergrowth that made wildfires far The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the more destructive and dangerous when they did occur. Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce Like urbanization and unmanaged recreation, both take lead roles in surveying for and controlling exotic represent major threats to the national forests in insects. Dr. David Shaw heads a research center at MSU Mississippi. that is focused on . Kudzu is just one of many introduced that The fourth threat to Southern forests identified by are out of hand on federal woodlands. the U.S. Forest Service is fuels build up. Chinese privet, introduced as an attractive hedge, "We see what happens every year out West," said crowds out native understory plants and reduces Jim Walden, assistant fire management director with browse for wildlife. the Holly Springs Ranger District. "That's because Cogongrass or Japanese bloodroot is sold as an nothing was being burned before." ornamental but out-competes natives for ground space Holly Springs National Forest has a goal of in sunshine or shade. prescribed burns to reduce fuel load across its 213,000 "Invasive species are third on the list of four major acres each four years, but the rotation was much threats to our Southern forests," said Melinda Mosser, longer before Congress channeled extra funding to district ranger for Holly Springs National Forest. national forests across the country. Other non-native plants also threaten the South's "It's probably been 15 years since this was national forests, along with privately owned woodlands. burned," Walden said last week as crews set managed Chinese tallow, Japanese honeysuckle and fires at a 600-acre site north of Potts Camp. Johnsongrass are other botanicals that take over The new national plan provides $20 for each acre extensive areas. According to an Extension Service on which HSNF does control burns. The funds must publication, 20 percent of the plants in Mississippi cover not only firelane construction and actual burning forests are non-native. but a multitude of studies and paperwork on the But it's not just plants that threaten the state's possible impact on soils, wildlife, communities and federal woodlands. Exotic insects, often introduced in even archaeological sites. lumber or packing materials imported from overseas, "There's a lot that goes into a prescription burn," are a concern, too. Walden said. "We have three main exotic insect groups that we One of the frustrations of Walden's job is the are looking for," said Dr. Richard Brown, director of the realization that most of the "wildfires" he and his crews Mississippi Entomological Museum at Mississippi State work to prevent and contain are avoidable. University. "Probably 95 percent of our fires are arson," he Gypsy moths, which have ravaged forests in the said. "There's just something in some people that Northeast, have been found in the state but have yet to makes them want to set fires." get established. Deliberate destruction aside, Ranger Mosser said all Wood borers also have the potential to wreak the uses of the national forests from recreation to havoc here. timber production to cleaning surface waters - depend "The Asian longhorn beetle is the best on citizens' help. known of the exotic wood borers," Brown "I think in the United States we have so much that said. "We're looking for it, because we we don't realize the fate of our natural resources," she 14 said. "Everybody has a vested interest in the national Magnolia Forester/May 2004 forests." Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal features

Longtime forestry feud shows signs of healing

Environmentalists and the U.S. Forest Service can "What you had was fires that would burn, agree on one thing: Clear-cutting is good. sometimes for months straight," Kaufmann said. "But it And that's no small thing, considering that the two wouldn't crown and run through the tops of trees like are often at odds over logging projects and that for they do now." decades clear-cuts have been almost universally Instead, he says, the flames would nibble their way derided. through grasses and duff, but leave trees undamaged But now, thanks to science coming out of Colorado, and able to mature into old growth. This matches the scientists are agreeing that clear-cutting in certain types research that scientists have generally used to design of trees is needed to open the path to a healthier forest programs. and better wildfire management. For many, that means But Kaufmann and his fellow researchers found still supporting a practice that in the past has represented more in younger stands of trees. In those areas, all that was wrong in forestry. Kaufmann said, the fire had become more active and "I've certainly had to change my idea of what a completely burned an individual tree or a handful of 'healthy forest' is," said Greg Aplet, a forest ecologist trees. Those openings provided a foothold for what are with the Wilderness Society. "This is not something we now relatively younger trees. would have discussed even a few years ago." But it is the open spaces that provide the most Although he has come to accept clear-cuts as part controversial part of the forestry theory. In these of good forest management, Aplet still has reservations, places, he said, a blaze became highly active and as do some forest residents. turned into full-blown crown fires. Sometimes those "I understand thinning, but to me that means blow-ups would consume a tenth of an acre, sometimes marking certain trees for removal and doing it dozens of acres. Those blazes denuded the landscape, delicately," said Faith White, who lives near national leaving behind dead, blackened sticks. forest land outside Nederland. The Forest Service has And in this erratic manner a fire would march made several small openings in the forest behind her across the landscape for an entire season, leaving a house, which is a mix of ponderosa and lodgepole pine patchy and uneven forest. and aspen. "If we're going to return the forest to its natural The new type of clear-cut, which has already been condition, we're going to have to mimic that," used on some federal land on a small scale, is not the Kaufmann concluded. "And that means in some places logging practice demonized by environmentalists in we open the canopy." which hundreds of acres are reduced to stumps pocking "I've said before that I thought the environmental a desolate landscape. The new style is a smaller and, community has been one of the biggest obstructions to environmentalists hope, more calculated practice. a healthy forest," Kaufmann said. "But in the last year, The patches of clear-cut are as small as a tenth of they have really turned around, and now they're doing an acre or as large as 50 acres. Is some cases, some great things." individual trees or small stands are left to dot the The Wilderness Society's Aplet said that research by clearings. local scientists has caused him to rethink what it means Merrill Kaufmann of the Forest Service is one of the to have a healthy forest. scientists whose research is prompting this new "No doubt it's been a change for me," he said. thinking. He and a group of researchers believe they And the research from Colorado and Wyoming begs found part of the explanation for Colorado's wildfire much deeper and broader questions about forestry trends in a stand of ponderosa pine around Cheesman across the nation: Forest ecologists may need to Reservoir. rethink their approach to research. He and researchers found that nature had thinned It would be virtually impossible to open up spaces the ponderosa stands much differently than humans with controlled burns because that would require a had. crown fire, the most dangerous and erratic kind of The stand of trees seemed largely without pattern. wildfire. So, land managers are left with logging: Patches of old growth were intermixed with patches of removing all the trees in an area with younger trees, and - most important - broad open chain and heavy equipment. meadows. Denver Post Kaufmann, who took an interest in fire 15 after almost losing a cabin to wildfire, saw a lesson to Magnolia Forester/May 2004 be learned from the about how fires act in nature. AND TO HARDWOOD THE BOTTOMLAND WILL RETURN

He calls himself a retired pencil acres of land has been managed by Program is just what it says. Woods salesman. Branning and federal specialists as a and Wildlife is a wetland area that was A Washington, D.C.-based group wetlands habitat for the benefit of taken out of farming and put into trees calls him an exemplary conservationist. wildlife. and water for migratory birds and And if the geese and the ducks Branning, a "country boy" who wildlife. and the deer and the dove were grew up in French Camp, first worked An avid hunter and fisherman talking, they'd call him a friend. in Vicksburg as an office supply when time allowed, Branning said he In May, Jack Branning will travel to salesman. He parlayed the pencil entered conservation work as a Washington, D.C., to accept a National profits into ownership of the business "plaything," but it has become Wetlands Award, joining other winners and now, at 72, owns and manages something else. in the Caucus Room of the Russell business properties in Vicksburg, "It has become a passion," he Senate Office Building. Jackson and elsewhere. But all that's said. "When the farm was enrolled in Branning, who owned and secondary these days, he said. "I don't the WRP, I yawned and said that's operated Southern Office Supply in carry any keys because I don't have to going to be good. That's going to get Vicksburg for many years, retired and open up a store every day," he said this thing out of the farming business, moved to Eagle Lake several years ago. explaining how he could devote so and the price of beans was not very In 1999, he also bought nearly much personal time to the preserve he good and this is a way to put this into 3,500 acres of land in Sharkey County calls Woods and Wildlife. hunting where I would like to see it where the False and the Little According to the nomination form anyway, a recreational opportunity for Sunflower rivers join and just east of filled out by Homer Wilkes, state my . the Delta National Forest. At the time, conservationist with the Mississippi Branning, first nominated for the the land had been cleared for soybean Natural Resources Conservation Environmental Law Institute award in production since the 1970s. Service, Branning has restored 721 2002, described the project on his land It had never operated very acres of seasonal wetlands and 30 as having all elements in place. The successfully in the production of acres of semi-permanent wetlands. He next goal is to protect and maintain it soybeans because of nearly annual has also replanted much of the land so the project can become mature. flooding from the two adjacent rivers, area in bottomland species such as Branning said even though the so he placed the land in a permanent , cypress and persimmon, installed project is still in its youth, it is having trust that will allow it to revert to a several control structures and two an effect on the wildlife. The bottomland hardwood forest for water wells and put up 43 nesting nomination said the biologist reported generations to come. boxes for wood ducks. counting 51 species of birds using the "Back in 1999, this farm was put "What has been done up here has wetland areas. Also, the food plots and into the Wetland Reserve Program," he been sort of a cooperative effort additional cover are attracting deer said. between me and NRCS," Branning said from the nearby Delta National Forest Since then, with help and advice while lounging in Mallard Lodge, his and Sunflower Wildlife Management from the Natural Resources getaway house on the property. Area. Conservation Service, the entire 3,498 He said the Wetland Reserve Vicksburg Post

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