Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons

Research Matters & RNR Newsletters School of Renewable Natural Resources

2006 School of Renewable Natural Resources Newsletter, Fall 2006 Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/research_matters

Recommended Citation Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, "School of Renewable Natural Resources Newsletter, Fall 2006" (2006). Research Matters & RNR Newsletters. 10. http://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/research_matters/10

This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the School of Renewable Natural Resources at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Research Matters & RNR Newsletters by an authorized administrator of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Fall 2006 Managing resources and protecting the environment . . . making a difference in the 21st century

Migrating With the Ducks

School of Renewable Natural Resources 1 I have explained why the focus on the breeding grounds, In the Spotlight so what is it that I am doing? First, I should point out that like most faculty, I do most of my research with the help of graduate students – well over 30 have completed degrees Migrating under my guidance. Most of that research focused on testing With the Ducks management that attempts to enhance nest success – which Frank Rohwer is the key determinant of duck production. Most attempts to George Barineau Jr. Professor of Wildlife Ecology increase duck nest success use passive measures to reduce egg predation – for example, one approach to keeping predators ON THE COVER: Frank and his labrador, Dakota, after an afternoon of checking hatched nests. Photos of Frank by Fred Greenslade. away from eggs is to plant so much upland nesting cover that the duck nests get diluted like a needle in a haystack. Alter- Like many waterfowl ecologists, Frank fell in love with nate approaches involved making islands in large wetlands or ducks as a teen when he was hunting with his family. When he fencing fi elds of nesting cover to exclude nest predators. Un- started doing duck research as an undergraduate student way fortunately, most such indirect measures proved to be either back in the 1970s his fate as a “duck guy” was sealed. Since he ineffective or far too costly to undertake on a scale that would joined the faculty at LSU, Frank’s research has focused on ducks. make a noticeable difference to duck numbers. “Sure, I have had a few projects dealing with songbirds or her- In 1994 one of my fi rst doctoral students, Pam Garrett- ons, but let’s face it, I’m a duck guy.” son, and I began to evaluate a very different – more direct ap- Louisiana is the right place for a “duck guy” because it is proach – to reducing nest predation. We looked at the success the winter home for millions of waterfowl that forage in agri- of having a professional trapper attempt to reduce mammalian cultural habitats, fl ooded bottomland forests or coastal marsh. predator populations. A nonprofi t organization, the Delta Moreover, Louisiana has a lot of very serious duck hunters – our Waterfowl Foundation, contracted with several North Dakota sportsmen consistently harvest more ducks per hunter than in trappers to see if they could reduce predator numbers enough any other state. One great aspect of Frank’s work, however, is to increase duck nest success. The trappers main targets were that he can study ducks in the winter and then in April, he mi- stripped skunks, raccoons and red fox, the three most sig- grates north just ahead of the ducks to study production. For a nifi cant duck nest predators on the prairies. The results were duck guy, that is the best of both worlds. The following is a short amazing. The 16-square-mile trapped blocks (each 10,240 story by Dr. Rowher describing his career in duck research. acres) averaged 42 percent nest success, compared to only Recently, I have gotten a lot of calls that are basically 17 percent success on nontrapped control sites. I also had a asking, “What has happened to the ducks?” When I answer master’s student examine brood survival for these trapped and that question, I usually do a 15-year trace of duck numbers. nontrapped sites. Reducing the predator population greatly At the beginning of the 1990s, when I came to Louisiana, enhanced the survival of the ducklings – lagnaippe for duck duck populations in North America had hit their lowest point managers. in decades of consistent duck surveys. Hunting seasons were Wait a minute, most of the trapping was on private short, bag limits were low and many hunters were so frus- farmland, so does reducing the number of predators led to trated they were giving up hunting. increased numbers of mice and voles? Jerry Adkins addressed Fortunately, things turned around in 1994 when the key this question as part of his master’s degree. We found a sea- prairie pothole region, which produces most of the ducks sonal increase of small mammals, but by the following spring coming to Louisiana, began a string of very wet years. Ducks the numbers of mice on trapped plots was no greater than on really responded, and by 1999 duck populations were larger nontrapped sites. than had been recorded at any time in the 50-year history of The dramatic increase in duck nest success on the 16- reliable surveys. In recent years, waterfowl hunting in Loui- square-mile sites led us to test the effi cacy of trapping on a siana hasn’t been nearly as good as the glory years around larger scale. Mike Hoff and I tested whether a single trapper 1999. That has made my phone ring a lot recently. covering a 36-square-mile (23,040 acres) block could still I have told many callers that the key to duck numbers in increase nest success. Yes; the trapped blocks had 35 per- Louisiana are events that happen north of us – particularly cent nest success versus 16 percent hatch in the nontrapped the prairies. Duck populations – including those coming to blocks. Trapping large blocks proved more effi cient than Louisiana and the Mississippi Flyway – are driven by duck trapping 16-square-mile plots; the greater number of nests on reproduction, and that primarily occurs in the prairie pothole larger blocks easily offset the differences in nest success. region. That is why most of my research focuses on nesting ducks - when they are about 1,800 miles north of Louisiana. Hence my annual research sojourns to prairie production areas like North Dakota, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Management to increase duck production is the best way to assure that there are plenty of ducks in Louisiana. Of course, a second key factor affecting the number of ducks wintering in Louisiana is the weather in states north of us. Recent mild winters have meant a lot more ducks are stop- ping in mid-latitude states. That’s good for Missouri hunters, not so good for Louisiana hunters and nothing that mortals without strings to manipulate the weather can worry about.

2 School of Renewable Natural Resources the Mississippi River Delta and the Atchafalaya River Delta. In both areas nest density and success are much higher than for coastal marsh. Concern for the Mottled Duck population has lead to a project that started in August that will involve extensive use of radio telemetry to measure survival, habitat use and movements. I have also had several projects dealing rather directly with evaluations of duck hunters and the ways that we assess the impacts of hunting on duck populations. One of my fi rst projects in Louisiana was done with an M.S. student, Barry Wilson, who tested hunters’ abilities to identify ducks in hand. Hunters scored 100 percent on abundant and colorful species like male Mallards and Wood Ducks, but they typically scored less than 50 percent on the very diffi cult female diving Frank at a nest of a Lesser Scaup in northeast North Dakota. The nest is in a fi eld of Conservation Reserve Program grass. ducks. My students and I have also done a lot of work to test for biases in our national system for getting information on These research results led the Delta Waterfowl Foun- duck harvest, both the species and sex composition and the dation and other groups, including District Offi ces of the more important age ratios (number of juveniles per adult), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Max McGraw Wildlife which is our best continental scale measure of annual duck Foundation to expand their trapping in North Dakota using production. 36-square-mile blocks. Lucas Oligschlaeger evaluated that Finally, like many wildlife researchers I like to dabble in operational trapping as part of a master’s thesis and discov- research that is of ered that nest success had risen to 47 percent on 36-square- biological inter- mile blocks; 21 percent on nontrapped blocks. The elevated est, yet may not hatching rate was due to the virtual elimination of red fox have application from much of eastern North Dakota because of a severe and to management. long-running outbreak of sarcoptic mange. Using tempera- My students and I have recently initiated another round ture monitors to of research on issues related to predator reduction. One measure the nest goal is to see how nest success changed as we got outside attendance patterns the perimeter of a trapped block. We assumed that cross- for female ducks, ing the boundary of the block would not mean nest success trying to under- dropped precipitously from 47 percent to 21 percent in a few stand the behav- feet. Instead, we predicted that nest success might remain ioral mechanism of elevated for some distance away from the block. If there was nest site selection a 1-mile buffer of enhanced nest success, we would add 28 and research to square miles of perimeter habitat with greater duck produc- understand what tion. Peggy Kuhn’s is in the second season of her master’s constrains the research to quantify the changes in nest success as you go number of eggs from the trapped blocks out 3 miles. Meanwhile, Darren that ducks lay are Wiens is examining the impacts of predator reduction on a several examples variety of other prairie birds, but focusing on shorebirds like of my forays into Upland Sandpipers, phalaropes and Wilson’s Snipe. Finally, basic science. This Matt Pieron, a Ph.D. student, is testing whether density of summer I began Frank is “fi eld candling” - estimating the age of ducks increases on blocks that have been trapped over several some collabora- the nest by looking at the development of the years to the increased production and homing by females. tive work with a chick inside the egg. The high-tech equipment is The second, more exciting, part of the work that Matt and scientist from a 6-inch piece of radiator hose. I are doing is to look at how duck density affects individual Berkley where we reproductive success. are trying to quantify how the antibacterial protection levels By now you are convinced that I am doing a lot of in Blue-winged Teal eggs relates to their laying sequence. The research to evaluate predator reduction as a management fi rst-laid egg in a duck nest often has to sit for 10 days in a tool. I should remind you that this is a fairly new approach to nest while the female lays the balance of her clutch at a rate of duck management that is obviously controversial. Managers one egg per day. First-laid eggs should have more protection must have good science-based information available to guide against bacteria than the last-laid egg. their choices about whether and where to use such intensive As long as interest in wetland protection and in waterfowl management. hunting is strong, you can be sure that there will be contin- Although most of my research has focused on breeding ued need to address management options for enhancing duck ducks in the prairies, I have also done quite a bit of water- production or survival. I expect to be right in there training fowl work here in Louisiana. That work ranges from forag- graduate students that will be the next generation of wildlife ing behavior and site selection research on the coastal fresh stewards and doing research in an effort to more effi ciently marshes to research examining Mottled Duck nesting on both manage our wildlife populations.

School of Renewable Natural Resources 3 by everyone in attendance. Aside from help to get the word out to prospective the presentation of a lei and grass skirt students, let them know what we have Director’s Comments by the associate dean to commemorate to offer and encourage them to visit my continuing recognition of Hawaiian our Web site at www.rnr.lsu.edu to fi nd Greetings from the School of Shirt Friday, the rest of the proceedings out more about our faculty, students Renewable Natural Resources. All of were quite civilized as we recognized and educational programs, as well as the you are aware that we conducted a our scholarship recipients, outstanding types of careers that they can pursue. national search this spring for a direc- freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, As I have reviewed the faculty’s tor to take over the administration of M.S. and Ph.D. students, dozens of ad- accomplishments over the past year, I the SRNR. I had hoped that by now ditional students that have maintained continue to be impressed by the amount we would be welcoming a new direc- a 3.0 GPA during their tenure in the and quality of research, teaching and tor to the School, but things have not School and an outstanding staff member extension that is being accomplished. progressed as planned. We interviewed chosen by the School’s administrative Since the beginning of 2005, SRNR three outstanding candidates, but offers staff. We will again greet several incom- faculty have had more than 125 refer- of the position were declined, likely due ing freshman and transfer students in eed journal articles published and have in large part to the fi nancial instability the fall, and student recruiting remains received more than $2 million dollars in that has plagued the state and the LSU a priority. We have seen an increase in outside funding to support our research AgCenter since the hurricanes of 2005. the number of undergraduates enrolled efforts. Extension faculty have conduct- I have agreed to remain as the interim in our Conservation Biology area of ed more than 50 workshops and pre- director for another year, and I look concentration, and we hope to increase sentations to hundreds of stakeholders, forward to your continued support as enrollment in all of our programs in and evaluations of these presentations the School moves forward. We remain future semesters. The continued success are uniformly excellent. During 2005, committed to attracting an outstanding of our undergraduate degree programs we taught more than 70 courses that administrator to assume the director- depends on attracting new students to yielded more than 3,000 contact hours ship, someone who will continue to the School, and we need to make sure for students from SRNR and across the strive for excellence in the School’s that graduating high school seniors with LSU campus. This productivity is truly a research, teaching and extension pro- interests in renewable resources know group effort and would not be possible grams. about our programs and the careers that without the hard work of our graduate We graduated an outstanding are available to SRNR graduates. As I students, research associates, post-docs group of undergraduate and graduate have stated previously, natural resources and administrative staff. students in the fall 2005 and spring in Louisiana and throughout the United Hurricanes Katrina and Rita cer- 2006 commencements, and I was States. continue to be threatened by tainly devastated southern Louisiana privileged and honored to present the pollution, habitat loss, changing land and severely impaired many of our commencement address to College of use and over-exploitation, and we research projects, particularly at Lee Agriculture graduates in May. We tried need quality professionals to address Memorial Forest. Our research and an afternoon awards reception in the these problems. We have outstand- extension activities, however, have con- School this spring to recognize the ing curricula in Forestry and Natural tinued and in some cases even increased academic achievements of our students, Resource Ecology and Management in response to these catastrophic storms. and the proceedings were well received in the School, and we need everyone’s I again encourage you to log onto the School’s Web site www.rnr.lsu.edu and look at the activities of the SRNR com- munity. We appreciate the support from our stakeholder groups for the research, teaching and extension programs in the School, and we look forward to con- tinuing these relationships as we move forward in the years ahead.

Bill Kelso, Interim Director

Visit our Web sites at www.lsuagcenter.com or www.rnr.lsu.edu

Bill Kelso, Interim Director

4 School of Renewable Natural Resources Research Notes Wildlife Research Dr. Mike Chamberlain has two new projects beginning this year. One involves monitoring the success of translocat- ing adult red-cockaded woodpeckers for species restoration efforts. Previously, translocations had involved subadults, but a number of isolated groups of adult woodpeckers are currently contributing little to the viability of the species. PlumCreek Timber Company, LSU and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service are partnering to determine if trans- locating these groups of adults to areas already containing viable populations will augment the population and increase Research Associate Dave Fox and RNR undergrad Shane Leggio wait for long-term viability. dusk to begin alligator surveys off Lake Maurepas. The second project begins this fall and will be a radio- telemetry project to determine the survival and movements related to the Ivory-billed Woodpecker rediscovery. He also of white-tailed deer in West Baton Rouge Parish. Both males received a State Wildlife Grant to evaluate habitat relation- and females will be marked, and a sample will be fi tted with ships of King Rails in rice fi elds and other wetlands in central radios. The objective is to evaluate how quality deer man- and northern Louisiana. agement programs (antler restrictions, increased harvest Urban Tree Responses to Hurricane-related of females) are affecting population dynamics. The overall theme is to get a better grasp of mortality rates and popula- Flooding: Two New Grants Hallie Dozier and Jim Chambers were selected as the tion response to selective harvest regimes. Graduate students principal investigators on a grant entitled “Mature Tree conducting work are Erin Herbez (woodpecker) and Justin Response to Hurricane-related Flooding in Northern Gulf Thayer (deer study). Coast Communites.” The grant was awarded by the U.S. Mapping Coastal Wetlands Affected and Department of Agriculture in May, 2006. The cost-share Unaffected by Freshwater Introductions grant, selected in a competitive process, was based on criteria The Coastal Restoration Enhancement Through Sci- developed by the National Urban and Community Forestry ence and Technology (CREST) program will fund a proposal Advisory Council (NUCFAC). Hallie and Jim also recieved prepared by Andy Nyman (School of Renewable Natural a John Duling grant from the TREE (Tree Research, Edu- Resources, LSU AgCenter), Ron DeLaune (Wetland Biogeo- cation Endownment) fund to provide start-up funds for chemistry Institute, LSU) and John Foret (Fisheries Service, research on long-term effects of storm-related fl ooding on NOAA). The proposal is “Developing a tool to map coastal mature urban and community trees along the Gulf Coast. wetlands affected and unaffected by freshwater introduc- The TREE fund is a nonprofi t grant program that supports tions.” Drs. Nyman, DeLaune and Foret developed the study tree, urban forestry and arboricultural research as well as pro- because coastal wetland restoration often entails introducing vides internships for college students working toward careers freshwater into estuaries to increase emergent plant produc- in arboriculture and tree care. tion, but it is diffi cult to estimate how far the benefi ts extend RNR Continues Research into the wetlands at different projects, in different years and under different operating schemes. Such information in Coastal Wetland Forests The School of Renewable Natural Resources recently is needed to help guide the operation of existing freshwater established the CWF-Cooperative on Regeneration and introductions and to improve the design of future freshwater Environment (CWF-CORE). The CWF CORE will provide introductions. The project includes funding for a research a research and education emphasis on problems related to assistant. Vanessa Tobias has accepted that position. At LSU, regeneration and establishment of coastal wetland forests for she will work towards a Ph.D. with a major in Wildlife and protection of their core values and services. Fisheries Science under the direction of Andy Nyman. Her The mission of the CORE is to provide a scientifi c basis dissertation will address the ecology and restoration of coastal for protecting the sustainability of coastal wetland forests wetlands. through research on regeneration and environmental process- Hydrologic Changes es affecting it. The research includes aspects of the environ- on Bottomland Hardwood Habitat ment that affect regeneration and sustainability, including Dr. Sammy King received funding from U.S. Fish and diagnostics for delineating hydrological conditions that affect Wildlife Service, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and regeneration, establishment and growth. The cooperative was the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for a established subsequent to the fi ndings of Louisiana’s Science Ph.D. student (Hugo Gee) to evaluate the effects of hydro- Working Group on Coastal Wetland Forest Conservation logic changes on bottomland hardwood habitat conditions and Use (www.coastalforestswg.lsu.edu). The CWF-CORE in the Mississippi River Valley. In addition, a study was also is supported by individuals who are employed by a number funded for a M.S. student (Patti Newell) to evaluate ceram- of federal, state and private organizations research activities. bycid beetle responses to forest management activities. Both For information see our website at www.rnr.lsu.edu/core or of these studies were to support ongoing conservation efforts contact Dr. Jim L. Chambers at 225.578.4220.

School of Renewable Natural Resources 5 Orleans Times-Picayune on June 12 and was subsequently run by the Baton Rouge Advocate on June 26. The article featured RNR Research Associate David Fox and included some great pictures from the fi eld. It described research aimed at assessing the potential effects of a diversion of water from the Mississippi River into the Maurepas Swamp, where the added sediment should help prevent swamp forest from degrading into open marsh. The swamp holds extremely high densities of several species of Neotropical migrant songbirds, even in low productivity forest, but research from Stouffer’s lab has shown that these birds would disappear with contin- ued forest degradation. Atchafalaya Basin Dr. Phil Stouffer with a Barred Owl at Sherburne WMA. Reseach associate Aaron Podey recently presented at the 2006 annual meeting and international conference of the RNR Research Continues American Institute of Hydrology in May. He spoke on “As- sessing Floodplain-Swamp Water Quality Restoration in the With Neotropical Migrant Songbirds Atchafalaya River Basin, Louisiana,” by Podey, A. W. E. Kelso Students in and D. A. Rutherford. Phil Stouffer’s lab have been busy Hydrology in Coastal Louisiana conducting fi eld Richard Keim and students continue work to understand work with birds how changing hydrology in coastal Louisiana is affecting across the state in wetland forests. Recently completed and ongoing research pine forests, savan- includes using tree rings to reconstruct past ecological nahs and swamps. consequences of changing hydrology, as well as using fi eld Their work in the and satellite data to map the spatial extent of degraded and baldcypress-wa- productive coastal wetland forests. tertupelo swamp Blake Amos presented the results of his research at the around Lake Mau- Society of Wetland Scientists meeting in Cairns, Australia. repas was featured Blake was one of only a few American students to make the in an article that trip and was able to do so with funding from the Gilbert A Chipping Sparrow captured by RNR students led the Metro sec- Foundation. during a fi eld trip to Lee Memorial Forest. tion of the New

Patricia Lefeaux Retires years with the Louisiana Department of Visit our Web sites at In most organizations that function Highways before coming to the LSU www.lsuagcenter.com well, someone typically works behind AgCenter, working in the AgCenter or the scenes to see things run smoothly. Dairy Improvement Center. Pat has www.rnr.lsu.edu The Louisiana Forest Products Devel- been with the LFPDC since its incep- opment Center (LFPDC) is no excep- tion in 1993. tion. We have been blessed to have Pat and her husband Jules married Doug Gardner Honored Patricia Lefeaux, our administrative in 1966 after he received his degree as the Second Choong assistant, help us all be as productive as from LSU. They have a daughter, Patti Lecture Series Speaker we can be. Sadly (for us), Pat retired at and a son, Jonathan. the end of July. Pat’s hobby of fl ower arranging has We are pleased to announce that Pat managed our offi ce and pro- turned into a wonderful post-retirement Professor Douglas “Doug” J. Gardner vided support for four faculty members business. She passed her fl orist certifi - was our speaker in the second Elvin and graduate students, research as- cation exam last year and has her own Choong Lecture Series on May 16. sociates, post docs and visiting profes- company “Flowers by Patricia.” Doug gave two presentations, each 20 sors. Pat maintained reporting on the Pat was awarded both the LSU minutes long. The fi rst was “Standards, center’s budget and expenditures and Staff Outstanding Service Award and Procedures and Guidelines for Accredit- for the 40 grants obtained by faculty the Charles Dunbar award, which is ing Educational Programs Leading to members (currently totaling nearly $2 given to the top 24 state civil service a Professional Degree in Wood Science million). employees out of 120,000 each year. and Technology or Forest Products,” Pat has lived in Brusly, Louisiana all After 33 years of working for the and the second was “Graduate Cer- of her life. She graduated from Brusly State of Louisiana and 13 years at the tifi cate in Advanced Engineered Wood High School and Spencer Business Col- LFPDC, we wish Pat the best that life Composites.” They were open to the lege before embarking on a career with has to offer. public, free of charge. Students in par- the State of Louisiana. Pat spent nine ticular were encouraged to attend.

6 School of Renewable Natural Resources Medicine in Timisoara, Romania. He Three faculty members in the Faculty News will spend two weeks lecturing to School were promoted during the graduate students at the university in 2005-06 promotion and tenure cycle. Dr. Richard Keim was invited to spring, 2007. Dr. Andy Nyman received tenure and participate in a session on Wetlands and was promoted to associate professor. Global Change at the joint meeting of Dr. Todd Shupe was promoted to full the Society of Wetland Scientists and professor. Dr. Zhijun Liu was promot- the Australian Marine Sciences Associa- ed to full professor. The success of these tion in Cairns, Australia, July 2006. faculty members in the promotion and At the meeting, Dr. Andy Nyman tenure process is a testament to their was elected as president of the South hard work and outstanding contribu- Central Chapter. The Society of Wet- tions. land Scientists is a nonprofi t organi- Dr. Aurel Lazureanu, dean of the faculty of horticulture and forestry (right) congratulates Dr. zation founded in 1980 to promote Vlosky on his appointment. wetland science and the exchange of information related to wetlands. The Dr. Niels de Hoop spoke to a society continues to grow and has more group of 200 people interested in the than 4,000 members from the U.S., use of biomass and small-diameter trees Canada, Mexico and many other coun- at the SmallWood 2006 conference tries. It publishes the peer-reviewed held at Richmond, Virginia, in May. He journal “Wetlands,” holds an annual organized a session on the use of hur- Drs. Todd Shupe, Andy Nyman and Zhijun Liu meeting for the presentation of scientifi c ricane-damaged timber and spoke about received promotions. and technical information and maintains how Louisiana responded to the crisis Dr. Rich Vlosky was an invited ex- numerous other programs in support of (from a forestry standpoint) and gave pert to participate in a workshop titled student research and wetland science. pointers on how the forestry commu- “Building Capacity for Sharing Forest Dr. Richard Vlosky, Director of nity can try to prepare for such disasters and Market Information” in Prague the Louisiana Forest Products Develop- in the future. and Krtiny, Czech Republic, October ment Center, was recently an invited Dr. Hallie Dozier was elected to 24-28, 2005. Vlosky gave presenta- subplenary keynote speaker at the represent Louisiana on the Interna- tions on forest-sector driven economic International Union of Forest Research tional Society of Arboriculture South- development and fundamentals of forest Organizations XXII World Congress in ern Chapter board of directors for products marketing. Country reports Brisbane, Australia. Vlosky spoke on “e- 2006-2008. She has also hired a new and copies of the presentations given Business: Realities and Opportunities.” research/extension associate, RaHar- at the meeting can be found at www. Dr. Todd Shupe, professor, Louisiana old Lawson. Ray comes to LSU with a unece.org/trade/timber. Forest Products Development Center, B.S. and M.S. in Urban Forestry from Dr. Craig Miller, a human dimen- presented a paper titled, “The covari- Southern University. Ray’s primary du- sions expert on the wildlife faculty, ance between mechanical and chemi- ties include helping Dr. Dozier expand recently accepted a position at the Uni- cal properties for longleaf pine (Pinus and improve continuing education versity of Georgia. We will miss Craig’s palustris).” The paper was co-authored programming for Louisiana arborists as research expertise and enthusiasm for by Dr. Mike Stine, associate professor well as fi eld and survey research. teaching, but we wish him the best of of forest genetics, in the School as well Dr. Mike Stine was selected to luck in his new position. as Dr. Brian Via, former graduate stu- participate in LEAD21, a year-long Three faculty members recently dent, and Dr. Les Groom of the USDA program designed to foster leadership won the 2005-2006 Southern Forest Forest Service laboratory in Pineville, La. development at land-grant institutions. Resource Extension Specialists awards: The fi rst week-long session Dr. Rich Vlosky won an award in the in Indianapolis focused on extension newsletter category for the developing a better under- Louisiana Forest Products Development standing of personal leader- Center Newsletter, Dr. Todd Shupe ship strengths, weaknesses won with high distinction in the journal and styles and taught a variety publication category (trade, business or of skills and tools. This fall research) for “Past, Present and Future Dr. Stine will spend a week of Preservative-Treated Wood” and Dr. Todd Shupe (far left) and Dr. Rich Vlosky (third from in Kansas City learning about left) converse with attendees from National Chung Hsing Dr. Hallie Dozier won in the journal institutional types and cultures University in Taichung, Taiwan and Virginia Tech University publication category (trade, business at the XXII World Congress in Brisbane, Australia held on and diversity issues in the land- or research) for “Hire an Arborist for August 8-13, 2005. grant system. The fi nal session Residential Tree Needs.” Dr. Dozier will be held in Washington, also won in the project administration Dr. Rich Vlosky has been appoint- D.C. next spring and will focus on pub- category for the Louisiana Arborist ed associate professor in the Depart- lic leadership, policy development and Continuing Education program. ment of Forestry at Banat University federal legislation. of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary

School of Renewable Natural Resources 7 Lee Memorial Forest Takes a Direct Hit From Hurricane Katrina Joe Nehlig Cleanup on the forest began with two main objectives. Research Associate First, all debris and trees were cleared away from the facili- Hurricane Katrina tore through Washington Parish on ties and utility rights-of-way to improve access and safety for August 29, 2005 with devastating force. Lee Memorial Forest the Lee Forest staff, the contractors making repairs on the took a direct hit. In just a few hours, the powerful rain and facilities, the families that live on the forest and the utility wind uprooted, broke and toppled countless trees. Timber crews working to restore electricity to the area. Second, all damage was most severe in three specifi c timber types on roads were cleared to improve access to the forest for LSU the forest - mature timber stands, pine plantations that were personnel and the logging crew. The Lee Forest staff worked thinned within the past 3 years and streamside management an astonishing 260 hours in the weeks after the storm, just zones. removing debris. Immediately, efforts were underway to determine an es- Between the heavy equipment of the logging operation timate of damaged timber and begin the process of a salvage and the equipment used by the forest staff, many miles of timber sale. Because of the degree of damage spread through- roads had to be stabilized and repaired. Erosion was an issue and was addressed as soon as possible. In compliance with Louisiana’s Best Management Practices, wing ditches were installed on roads, water bars were built on fi re lanes and seeding was done on logging decks and any areas where the soil was exposed. It has now been a year since Katrina made history in Washington Parish, and recovery of the forest is still under- way. Some previously forested areas were so devastated that reforestation is now required. Site preparation is underway on these areas and planned for regeneration this fall. Other areas, such as the many acres of pine plantations that were damaged, are still in a disastrous state, and plans for addressing this issue are in the works. The percentage of damage in these planta- tions varies from site to site, making it diffi cult to determine a plan of action. Approximately 120 acres of pine forests at Lee Memorial Forest In just a few hours Hurricane Katrina laid down enough were devestated by Hurricane Katrina. timber in Washington Parish to equal two-years worth of av- erage timber harvests. Not only was this devastating enough, out the forest, as well as hazardous conditions, the damage it also dramatically reduced the value of timber over the assessment was painstakingly slow. Approximately 215 acres course of a day. This, in effect, will hurt the operating budget of mature timber was damaged, as well as 120 acres of pine of Lee Memorial Forest, not now, but in the long run. Years plantations and 180 acres of hardwood bottomlands. of scheduled harvesting on the forest were removed in two After hours of preparation for an emergency salvage months; however, with proper forest management and care- timber sale and numerous hurdles, logging fi nally began on fully scheduled future harvests, the forest will recover and Lee Forest on November 1. The intention of the logging prosper as it once did. operation was to harvest only storm-damaged trees. Logging operations lasted more than two months, with the last load removed in January, 2006. Totals of timber volume (Doyle Rule) salvaged from the forest are: pine sawtimber, 685 mbf; pine chip-n-saw, 360 cords; pine pulpwood, 803 cords; hardwood sawtimber, 72 mbf and hardwood pulpwood, 175 cords. As compared to the timber damage, the facilities at Lee Forest suffered only minor damage. Shingles and tin were ripped from roofs, a tree top went through the roof of a small pump shed, two other sheds were completely crushed by toppled trees and a propane gas line was unearthed by a tree stump and its roots. Other damage included broken win- dows and hundreds of feet of damaged fence. With the quick response of the LSU AgCenter and Facilities Planning, repairs were completed in a timely manner. The process of debris removal on Lee Forest proved to be a major feat. The powerful storm left entire trees and debris scattered around the headquarters’ area like toothpicks spilled on the kitchen fl oor. The many miles of roads in the forest A tree top crushes the roof of a small work shed at Lee Memorial Forest. were blocked by countless wind-blown trees.

8 School of Renewable Natural Resources Extension Activities in ing the health and vitality of urban the School of Renewable and community. Dr. Dozier develops and delivers programs and educational Natural Resources materials on biological invasions and By Hallie Dozier urban and community forestry to hom- The LSU Agricultural Center’s eowners, community volunteer leaders, School of Renewable Natural Resources municipal leaders and land managers is home to fi ve faculty members who across the state. She also presents a provide forestry extension program- program on traditional forestry skills to ming to Louisiana’s residents. Extension 4-H youth who participate in the LSU faculty provide critical information that Dr. Hallie Dozier teaches urban tree managers Agricultural Center’s 4-H University. in Shreveport as part of a program designed to helps Louisianans working in forestry- Three extension faculty members help the city improve and maintain downtown related industries to work safely, profes- are part of the Louisiana Forest Prod- trees. sionally and grow their economic and ucts Development Center (LFPDC), business opportunities in environmen- an integral part of the School. Dr. tions workshop. He also helps organize tally responsible ways. These education- Richard Vlosky, director of the LFPCD, and teach an Advanced Logging Safety al opportunities introduce young people together with Dr. Todd Shupe, work di- workshop. to renewable natural resource manage- rectly with stakeholders to increase the These extension faculty work ment and related career opportunities. development of primary and secondary closely with faculty and fi eld extension Dr. Leroy Shilling is responsible wood production to expand the value of foresters from other departments and for delivery of Continuing Forestry Louisiana’s rich forest resource. Their offi ces within the LSU system, includ- Education (CFE) programs across the work helps homeowners, consumers, ing Dr. Michael Dunn, with the Depart- state for foresters, loggers, burn man- primary and secondary wood products ment of Agricultural Economics and agers, landowners and students. He companies, artisans, woodworking hob- Agribusiness, who specializes in natural collaborates with representatives from byists and policymakers. The research- resource related economics and policy the Louisiana Forestry Association, the based educational programs bring these analysis. Field extension includes four Louisiana Department of Agriculture stakeholders information on hurricane area forestry agents (Ricky Kilpatrick in and Forestry and the timber industry. recovery, basic wood properties and Shreveport, Steven Hotard in Calhoun, Dr. Shilling and co-presenters also con- identifi cation, lumber drying, and small Barry Crain in Alexandria and Brian duct programs in neighboring states for business development, marketing and Chandler in Clinton) who work on CFE credit. Dr. Shilling also presents a management. natural resource management and care two-day 4-H program on environmen- Dr. Cornelis de Hoop also pro- issues facing landowners, homeown- tal threats each year. vides technical assistance to the wood ers, nongovernmental organizations, Dr. Hallie Dozier provides exten- products industries in Louisiana. Dr. interest groups and local governmental sion education for Louisiana’s pro- de Hoop works extensively with the offi cials. Together, extension faculty and fessional tree care workers, reaching logging industry in Louisiana to help area forestry agents, provide the people licensed and certifi ed arborists from loggers conduct safe operations and in- of Louisiana educational opportunities Louisiana and neighboring states. The crease productivity. He develops educa- to help them manage timber, natural training they receive helps them work tional materials for and helps teach the areas and urban and community trees safely and professionally, and is a key Timber Harvesting and Transportation for recreation, profi t and sustainability. component assisting them in protect- Safety workshop and an OSHA regula-

The Silviculture Instructor’s Tour

Louisiana State University, along with Texas A&M and Stephen F. Austin University, hosted the 38th an- nual Silviculture Instructor’s Tour in October, 2005. The tour took 37 participants from the cypress forests in the Atchafalaya Basin, to the bottomland hardwood forests along the Mississippi River, to longleaf forests near Alexandria and loblolly pine plantations near Shreveport. The tour was held in conjunction with the Society of American Forester’s Annual Conven- tion and was an opportunity for university faculty that teach silviculture to view forest types and silviculture of regions of North America. Personnel from the School of Renewable Natural Resources involved in the tour included Christopher A. Allen, Jim L. Chambers, Ryan Coleman, Thomas J. Dean, Melinda S. Hughes and Richard F. Keim. Dr. Richard Keim speaks to the silviculture instructors about the manage- ment of cypress tupelo forests.

School of Renewable Natural Resources 9 of $1,000. The award is sponsored Student News by Dynea, a major supplier of wood adhesives for the wood composite in- Academic Excellence dustry and was presented by Mr. Bruce Recognition of excellence in aca- Broline, R & D Manager for Dynea in demic pursuits is rewarding not only Springfi eld, Oregon at the International to the students but to their peers and Convention of the Forest Products the faculty who work with them in and Society at Newport Beach, California outside the classroom. The 2005-06 June 25–28. Outstanding Student Awards included: Sangyeob Lee is also the 2006 Outstanding Freshman, Alyssa D. recipient of the Ben and Pauline Stanley Watershed hydrology graduate student, Adriene Jung; Outstanding Sophomore, Louis Graduate Student Excellence Award. Viosca, in the fi eld. Divincenti Jr.; Outstanding Junior, This award recognizes doctoral and William W. DeGravelles; and Outstand- master’s students who have made 4th American Water Resources As- ing Senior, Carrie L. Powell. In addi- outstanding contributions to research, sociation GIS and Water Resources tion, the School of Renewable Natural service or teaching in the School of Re- Conference, Houston, Texas, May Resources has eight named scholarships newable Natural Resources. This award 8-10: with earnings that allow the awarding of symbolizes the School’s commitment to Philip Saksa, “Modeling Effects 21, $500 per-semester scholarships for excellence in its graduate education and of Forestry Operations in the Flat Creek outstanding students. This past year, 33 comes with a check for $500. Watershed, Louisiana USA.” RNR students had 3.0 grade-point aver- Dr. Todd Shupe, (Professor LFP- Fugui Wang, “Assessing Imme- age or above, and 21 of those students DC) is the faculty adviser for Sangyeob diate Effects of Hurricane Katrina on were recognized as scholarship recipi- Lee. This is the second time that the Surface Water. Salinity of Lake Pon- ents. In addition to those scholarships, LFPDC has had the fi rst-place winner. tchartrain Using Satellite Imagery.” the Louisiana Forestry Foundation International Conference on Chal- awarded 15 scholarships, at $500 per Hydrology Students lenges in Coastal Hydrology and semester, to students seeking a degree Make Big Splash! Water Quality, May 21-24 in Baton in forestry. Three graduate students Hydrology students under the di- Rouge: were recognized for their excellence in rection of Dr. Jun Xu made a big splash April Mason, “Spatiotemporal Re- performance at the master’s and Ph.D. this spring attending three conferences lations of Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio.” levels. and receiving two competitive awards. Philip Saksa, “Riverine Nutrient Adrienne Viosca, a watershed Student Wins Inputs to Lake Pontchartrain, Louisi- hydrology graduate student under Dr. ana, USA.” Two Research Awards Jun Xu, is a recipient of two competi- Adrienne Viosca, “Assessment of Sangyeob Lee, graduate research tive awards. First, Adrienne received the Forestry Best Management Practices in assistant and doctoral candidate in the LSU 2006 M.S. Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid a Louisiana Watershed.” Louisiana Forest Products Development Award. This is a very competitive award Fugui Wang, “Using Landsat Im- Center (LFPDC) was recently named (only one winner in the M.S. category agery to Model Salinity Change in Lake fi rst place winner in the 2006 Forest selected from the entire university) Pontchartrain.” Products Society Wood Award compe- given by one of the nation’s most pres- Biao Zhong, “Watershed Analysis tition for his paper “Argon- and Oxy- tigious scientifi c research societies. Adri- and Soil Carbon Estimation using Digi- gen-based Plasma Treatment Effects at enne also received the Louisiana Water tal Elevations Models.” the Thermomechanical Pulp Fiber and Environment Association (LWEA) 2006 Isotactic Polypropylene Interface.” The Scholarship. The scholarship, in amount RNR Student fi rst-place award consists of an en- of $1,500, is to honor former members Goes to Washington! graved plaque and a cash honorarium of LWEA. Adrienne was offi cially recog- Ben Bullock, a School of Renew- nized at LWEA’s annual award banquet able Natural Resource forestry senior, in June. was recently selected by the National Association of State Foresters (NASF) Conference Presentations for an internship in Washington, D.C. 22nd Louisiana Remote Sensing and Ben will began his internship in Septem- GIS Conference, April 2006: ber. In this position, Ben will attend Fugui Wang and Y. Jun Xu, and report on Congressional hearings “Change Detection of Forest Damage on forestry and natural resources issues by Hurricane Katrina Using Remotely and will have the opportunity to inter- Sensed Data.” act with a wide variety of forest policy Biao Zhong and Y. Jun Xu, “Soil makers along with helping Legislature Carbon Storage and Distribution in Assistants in tracking. In addition, Ben Louisiana.” will attend other meetings with agency Sangyeob Lee and his adviser, Dr. Todd Shupe, Biao Zhong and Y. Jun Xu, “Re- pose for a snapshot after Sangyeob takes fi rst and interest group representatives and lationships between Watershed Charac- place in the 2006 Forest Products Society Wood assist with NASF offi ce duties. award. teristics and Soil Carbon Density.”

10 School of Renewable Natural Resources Student Spotlight A Student and a Serious Swimmer Heather Brand RNR Wildlife Student I was born in South Africa but call Zimbabwe home. I have been swimming since age 5, and have been playing in the dirt, riding on motorbikes, camping and being with the animals since the day I was born. My family and I are re- ally into camping and being part of nature. I have two things that drive me and Brooke Barrios (Sabine) uses a Biltmore stick to make me who I am – swimming and animals. estimate the log in a cherrybark oak during the I have been privileged to be able to come to America and swim and study measurement section of the contest. wildlife. I received a degree in Wildlife Ecology and a minor in Sociology in May 2006. I have learned a lot about how 2006 4-H University to manage not only wildlife but people too. I have made many friends during Forestry Contest my fi ve years here and all of them are a Huge Success! wonderful people. It has not been an easy task being On June 21 and 22, 11 Louisi- a collegiate athlete. However, swim- ana 4-H members from nine parishes ming, from a very young age taught competed in the 4-H University 2006 me discipline, time management and Forestry Contest on the LSU Campus. competitiveness. I don’t settle for The 4-H members spent the fi rst day anything but my best both in the pool of the contest competing against one and in the classroom. I have had much RNR wildlife student, Heather Brand, is training another in traditional forestry skills: help from professors and close friends. for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. orienteering (pacing and compass), tree Every professor I have had in the RNR identifi cation, tree measurements, insect curriculum has been very understanding and helpful, from missing classes, exams and disease identifi cation, plus a writ- or fi eld trips. I have great friends who helped me to catch up quickly. I’d like to ten exam on basic forestry knowledge. thank everyone that helped me achieve this goal in my life. On the second day, they took part in a Currently, I am training for the Olympic Games in Beijing, 2008. I received half-day tree care, climbing and ropes an Olympic Scholarship for the next two years so for now my career is swimming. educational activity put on for them by Unfortunately, my career with animals will have to take a back seat. Hopefully, I the LSU Facility Services arborist crew. will still be around the RNR building working for professors who need help. Af- Everyone worked very hard and had a ter the Olympics I hope to move back to Africa and work in the ecotourism fi eld; blast! Dr. Hallie Dozier is the contest I would love to one day run or own my own Safari so that everyone I have met superintendent. here can come and experience Africa. There are no words I could say that would The 2006 winners of the state for- justify how beautiful and surreal life is there. estry contest were Josh Ritter (Sabine Parish), Clint Manuel (Evangeline Par- ish), Brooke Barrios (Sabine Parish) and 27th National 4-H Forestry Invitational forestry and natural resources manage- Victoria LeBlanc (Vermilion Parish). at historic Jackson’s Mill 4-H Camp in ment. All participants gain a deeper un- The team represented Louisiana in the West Virginia where they placed 6th derstanding of the importance of wise against teams from 15 other states. The management and stewardship of natural 2006 forestry team was coached by resources. Mr. Steven Hotard, Area Forester from North Central Region with help from Mr. Brian Chandler, Area Forester from Southeast Region and Teresa Price, 4-H Agent from Claiborne Parish. All the faculty and staff from the LSU School of Renewable Natural Resources con- gratulate the 2006 forestry team on a job well done! The Forestry Invitational is one of several national 4-H competitions held each year, and Louisiana has partici- pated in this event since 1981. Several 4-H members who have participated Zeb Kile (right), Winn Parish forestry contestant, Josh Ritter, Sabine Parish, uses a throw ball and in the state contest and in the Forestry gets a close up look at a water oak with help slick line to set a rope in a live oak during the Invitational have gone on to careers in from LSU Facility Services arborist crew educational activity. member Blane Tullier (left).

School of Renewable Natural Resources 11 students learn approximately 50 species of trees, shrubs, vines and herbs, in addition to reviewing plants learned during fall Student News semester dendrology. Week 6: Silviculture (Dr. Dean) Forestry Spring Camp Students participate in fi eld trips and conduct exercises The Forestry Spring Camp provides excellent opportuni- in two important forest cover types in Louisiana. Day trips ties for fi eld exercises, hands-on practice, group projects and are conducted in bottomland hardwoods to learn soil-spe- extended fi eld trips. The camp setting, with its uninterrupted cies relationships and silvicultural systems used in managing blocks of time, allows the pursuit of these activities that oth- this type ecosystem. Students learn techniques for evaluating erwise cannot regeneration in both bottomland and upland pine types. Hur- be accom- ricane damage that occurred on Lee Memorial Forest created plished in the a unique opportunity for students to assess wind damage in typical three- the young pine stands not subject to extensive breakage or hour lab of a blowdown. campus-based Week 7: Forested Wetlands (Dr. Keim) course. The Students learn about the structure, function and multiple Spring Camp values of forested wetlands, especially as they pertain to forest occupies the management issues. Students learn the basic soil, vegetation last eight weeks and hydrological characteristics used by regulatory agencies of the Spring to defi ne wetlands and practice delineating wetland boundar- semester. ies. In addition, students concurrently delineate silvicultural Most of Streamside Management Zones (SMZs) and riparian wetland Matthew Grissom learns felling techniques during Camp. Spring Camp boundaries to compare expected functions of operational takes place at BMPs and natural riparian wetlands. Field trips, fi eld exercises the School’s and guest speakers introduce students to management issues Lee Memorial Forest, located between Franklinton and in a variety of common wetlands in Louisiana, including riv- Bogalusa, La. The 1,200-acre forest setting also has a build- erine bottomland hardwoods, pine fl atwoods and deltaic and ing complex composed of a kitchen, dining room, classroom, coastal cypress-tupelo forests. bunk houses and a laundry house. Week 8: Silvicultural Prescriptions (Drs. Chang and Dean) Schedule for the Spring Camp varies each year. A typical This week serves as the bridge between silviculture and camp consists of the following activities. forest management. It has two objectives: (1) to introduce Week 1: Wood Utilization (Dr. Wu) long-term economics in silvicultural prescriptions and (2) The wood utilization consists of fi eld trips to a hardwood to learn about the various philosophies and approaches to sawmill, an oriented strandboard plant, a plywood mill, a management. Most mornings, the students visit with differ- phenolic resin plant, an engineered wood products plant, a ent agencies such as the USDA Forest Service or conservation packaging pallet mill and two softwood sawmills. During the organizations week-long event, students are exposed to major wood prod- such as the uct manufacturing sectors in the South. Nature Con- Week 2: Timber Harvesting (Dr. deHoop) servancy to Students begin the fi rst part of their week learning learn principles chainsaw profi ciency, including felling a tree directionally. of multiple-use They learn to cut logs using a portable sawmill while track- and ecologi- ing lumber volumes and grades throughout the process. For cal forestry. the rest of the week, they tour different kinds of logging jobs During the on both Weyerhaeuser land and the DeSoto National Forest. afternoon, They culminate their week at D-M Equipment Co. in Mc- they learn Comb, Miss. to gain a better understanding of the logistics in basic principles purchasing and maintaining logging equipment. of econom- Spring Camp Forestry students (back l-r) Daniel Rush, Ben Bullock, Matthew Grissom, and (front) Eric Weeks 3-4: Mensuration (Dr. Cao) ics and work Clark and Will DeGravelles. Students have two weeks of mensuration fi eld exercises, to complete allowing them to perform different types of timber cruises. the week-long Students summarize cruise data, develop stand maps, draw exercise of developing a prescription for a pine plantation. diameter histograms, project stand tables using diameter Spring Camp plays a vital role in our forestry curriculum. growth information from increment cores, estimate stump- The camp experience gives the students opportunities to syn- age values and present the above, fi nal information in written thesize the theoretical knowledge that they have previously form. learned and apply it to the real world. This is an interactive Week 5: Dendrology (Dr. Stine) process that helps the students improve week after week. Students’ plant identifi cation skills and their understand- Spring Camp ensures that our graduates have every opportu- ing of ecological relationships are enhanced with fi eld trips to nity to become competent in practicing forestry as professionals. various sites on Lee Memorial Forest, the Pearl River, Push- epatapa Creek and the Crosby Arboretum. During the week

12 School of Renewable Natural Resources Renewable Natural Resource Students Receiving Degrees at Recent Commencements Fall 2005 Bachelor of Science in Forestry Roy Bush Bridges II Gaines Michael Daughdrill Bachelor of Science Wildlife & Fisheries Glenda Suanne Bacque Kelly Melinda Folse Rebekka J. Guillory Clint Douglas Jones Barton James Savant Jessica Dee Strickland Master of Science-Fisheries Wildlife Conclave 2006 Bryan Paul Gossman This past spring, the LSU Wildlife Society traveled to Pikeville, Tennessee to attend the 2006 Annual Southeastern Conclave which took place in beautiful Fall Master of Science-Wildlife Seth Taylor Bordelon Creek Falls State Park. This event is the annual chance for Wildlife Society Student Holly Grace LeGrand Chapters from across the Southeast to meet, compete, learn, and generally have a good time. The LSU students competed in an entire team competition, quiz bowl, PhD-Wildlife & Fisheries men and women’s obstacle courses, archery, rock climbing, orienteering, dendrol- Jon Einar Jonsson ogy, radio telemetry and canoeing. Spring 2006 The Wildlife Society is very proud of the women’s obstacle course team, Ann Bachelor of Science in Forestry Commagere, Kayla DiBenedetto and Amanda Fandal, for winning second place out Michael Brent Cutrer of 16 teams! Matthew Jerome Reed The LSU group that traveled included Dr. Craig Miller, Justin Thayer (Presi- Christopher Lee Thompson dent), Mark McConnell (Vice-President), Rachel Villani (Treasurer), Ann Com- Marshall DeLee Varnado magere, Kayla DiBenedetto, Amanda Fandal, Josh Roy, Bryan Alleman, Jenny Bachelor of Science-Wildlife & Bodin, Tamra Dardenne, Gina Guidry, Jinger Bland, Alison Martin, Melissa Miller, Fisheries Jacob Pistokache, Jessica Paul, Jennifer Price, Brighton Heard, Terry Hicks, Matt Bryan James Alleman Duplessis, Jake LaPrairie, Lauren Macfarland and Christina Legleu. Heather Mandy Brand Julia Wai Cheuk Ann Marie Commagere Peter Crowsen Wildlife Camp 2006 Eric Caudle Dean Jana Alis Desadier During the intersession between weeks, the students also cruised timber, Kayla Cheree DiBenedetto spring and summer semesters, wildlife learned 70 species of plants important Regina Wiesepape Guidry students traveled to Lee Memorial to various wildlife species and, because Terrance Lee Hicks Forest for an intensive two-week the weather cooperated this year, the Andrew Phillip Knight course on Wildlife Habitat Evalua- students were able to complete two Lauren Elizabeth Macfarland Melissa Ann Miller tion taught by Drs. Chamberlain and prescribed fi res. Stephen Paul Olivier Stine. During the course, students This intersession program provides Carrie Lynn Powell learned how to measure and evalu- an extensive fi eld experience for the stu- Melanie Pitts Sibley ate overstory and understory plant dents in addition to building team work Justin Wilder Thayer communities, how to trap and mark and interpersonal skills that will follow Jennifer Margaret Yurek small mammals, and they ultimately them throughout their careers. Master of Science-Forestry completed a project that integrated Shadia Duery the two activities to evaluate relation- Robert Henry Dupre ships between habitat characteristics and small mammal communities. Master of Science-Wildlife Jennifer Kimberly DiMiceli Student days started early with David M. Fox everyone checking small mammal Erik Ivan Johnson traps before dawn, followed by plant Sergio Pierluissi III identifi cation instruction and sam- Thomas Michael Siwarski, Jr. pling projects throughout the day. Lee Anderson Womack Most days ended a little before dark Night time prescribed fi re at Wildlife Camp. PhD-Wildlife & Fisheries with the re-baiting of the small mam- (back row) Michael Williams, Dr. Mike Stine, Michael Jason Anteau mal traps. Over the course of the two Mark McConnell, Rachel Villani, Holly Klump, and (front) William Burch.

School of Renewable Natural Resources 13 mittee associates include Sonie Moore ‘28 B.S.F. (the third person graduated Alumni News Milton, ‘69 B.S.F., James W. Rhodes, by the new LSU Forestry Department), ‘51 B.S.F., and Robert F. Westbrook, and Bart’s two sons, Stephen W. Ben- Jim Barnett, ‘57 B.S.F., ‘63 M.F., ‘66 M.F. Carroll encourages visitors to nett, ‘94 B.S.F., and David O. Ben- was elected to the Board of Trustees of the museum. Hours are 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. nett, ‘97 B.S.F. Bart heads up Bennett the Southern Forest Heritage Mu- daily. & Peters Inc., Forestry Consultants & seum in Long Leaf, La. According to Barton L. Bennett, ‘65 B.S.F., Appraisers, Baton Rouge. Other LSU the Edgings and Trimmings February recently informed Dr. Burns that he forestry alumni listed on the fi rm’s let- Newsletter, the museum’s executive di- was the second person out of four in his terhead include (besides Bart, Stephen rector is Robert L. Carroll, ‘52 B.S.F, family who earned a degree from the and David) are Walter L. Stokes, ‘63 its Secretary-Treasurer is Harold E. El- School, a record number! The others B.S.F., John L. Sullivan, ‘64 B.S.F., liott, ‘57 B.S.F., and its executive com- are Barton’s father, Frank W. Bennett, Edward H. White, ‘69 B.S.F., and W.R. Edmonds III, ‘77 BSF. Charles Birdsong, ‘69 M.S. fi sher- ies, is retired and is growing bromeli- The Louisiana Forest Products Development Center ads. Along with some of the more than Overview, Mission and Accomplishments 2,000 bromeliads he is growing in his backyard, his photograph appeared in In the State of Louisiana, the forest industry contributes more than 50 per- the People section of June 2 issue of cent of the total value of all agricultural, animal and fi sh/wildlife commodities The Advocate. He and his wife Susan ($4.6 billion in 2005; more than 28,000 employees). In addition to lumber, formed the Baton Rouge Bromeliad plywood, oriented strandboard (OSB) and the production of other primary Society in the early 1970s. Birdsong is products, more than 200 valuable secondary products are produced, such as now a master international bromeliad furniture, fl ooring, crafts, pallets and kitchen cabinets. judge. In 1989, the Louisiana Legislature, recognizing the need to enhance the James E. Bryan Jr., ‘38 B.S.F., development of a stronger and more diversifi ed forest products industry in died September 29, 2005 in Springdale, Louisiana through increased research and development activities, passed House Ark. He moved there just before Hur- Concurrent Resolution No. 149 sponsored by representatives Long and Patti. ricane Katrina struck his home town, This resolution “urged and requested the Louisiana State University Agricul- Wiggins, Miss. A WW II and Korean tural Center to study the establishment of and, if feasible, to implement a Forest Confl ict veteran, he worked in forest Products Utilization and Development Center for the purpose of expansion and industry and became a forestry consul- diversifi cation of the forest products industry of the state.” tant. He is survived by his wife and a The LSU AgCenter established the Louisiana Forest Products Laboratory son. (LFPL) in 1992, to provide technical assistance and help in development of Dave J. DeFelice, ‘38 B.S.F., died value-added processing. In 1999, to better address the needs of Louisiana, the in December 2004, the School learned scope of the lab was broadened to include the whole value chain from the forest last fall. He served with the U.S. Army to the consumer. In 2003, the name was changed to the Louisiana Forest Prod- in Europe during WW II. In the late ucts Development Center (LFPDC) to better refl ect the breadth of activities 1940s he was a teacher at Raceland, La. that take place in the center. Overall, the goal of the LFPDC is to aid the state’s High School, and later he was principal economy and well-being of its people through forest sector development. of Raceland Elementary School. The LFPDC has state-of-the-art laboratory facilities for developing and Chris Dicus, ‘00 Ph.D. forestry, testing new wood-based products including wood-plastic composites, biomass was the featured alumnus of the Loui- based products and termite resistant preservatives. siana Tech University Forestry School Center faculty members also conduct market and business development this spring. He received his B.S. in research to promote industry development in Louisiana. Faculty members work Forestry at Louisiana Tech in 1992. He closely with Louisiana state government, industry associations and Louisiana is married to MeLisa, and the couple companies, providing input and advice. have three children. Currently, they live The Center, now an integral part of the School of Renewable Natural Re- in Los Osos, Calif., where he is associate sources, provides technical assistance to the primary and value-added processing professor of forestry at Cal Poly State wood products industries in Louisiana. The major part of the center is housed University. He teaches wildland fi re in the Renewable Natural Resources building, Baton Rouge, with the balance management and is president of the Los housed in the School of Forestry at Louisiana Tech in Ruston. Padres chapter of the Society of Ameri- Since its inception, the LFPDC has made great strides and is currently can Forestry. fi rmly positioned as one of the most recognized and productive forest products Bill J. Good, ‘77 B.S.F., is Man- research and outreach centers in the United States. ager, Louisiana Geological Survey, with LSU Ag Center faculty for the Center include: Dr. Richard P. Vlosky, direc- an offi ce on the LSU campus in Baton tor of the LFPDC and professor of forest products marketing; Dr. Cornelis de Rouge. He and his wife Peggy pur- Hoop, associate professor; Dr. Todd F. Shupe, professor; and Dr. Qinglin Wu, chased an old home eight years ago in professor. Louisiana Tech University faculty include, Dr. Mark D. Gibson, pro- Spanish Town, the downtown neigh- fessor and Dr. George A. Grozdits, research associate. borhood between the State Capitol and I-110. They have restored that home

14 School of Renewable Natural Resources and several others and have helped to Judy Jones, ‘03 M.S. wildlife, Patti Charles A. “Buck” Vandersteen change Spanish Town into “a true com- Lassus Faulkner, ‘81 B.S.F., ‘85 M.S. has been named by the School Alumni munity where people know and care forestry, and Chris Reid, ‘97 B.S.F., Association’s council as an Honor- about each other,” Peggy said. were featured and photographed in a ary Alumnus. The Alumni Association Claude H. “Grits” Gresham, ‘49 June 11 Baton Rouge Advocate hu- constitution states that “Honorary B.S.F., ‘50 M.S. Game Management, man interest report about the Louisi- members shall be persons who have ren- was honored in February in Las Vegas ana Natural Area Registry, a voluntary dered distinguished service to the LSU at the annual Shooting, Hunting and program that helps preserve natural School of Renewable Natural Resources Outdoors Trades show. He was awarded habitats. Jones and Faulkner work for and its graduates or to the profes- the Lifetime Achievement Award at the the Louisiana Department of Wildlife sions of forestry, wildlife and fi sheries SHOT show. Gresham, famous for his and Fisheries. Jones is coordinator of management.” Buck, longtime execu- outdoors writing, for many years has this registry, Faulkner is natural heritage tive director of the Louisiana Forestry made his home in Natchitoches. program ecologist. Reid is a botanist Association, certainly qualifi es. When R. Rodney Foil, ’56 B.S.F., ’60 working for the state. notifi ed of this action, Buck said that he M.F., was inducted into the LSU Melba Robertson Linnartz, felt very much honored. He joins Paul Alumni Association Hall of Distinction widow of Norwin E. Linnartz, ‘59 Y. Burns, former School Director and last fall. Each year the association selects M.F., died February 10 in Baton Rouge Professor Emeritus, and C.B. Marlin, 10 alumni who have made outstanding at age 77. She and contributions to their chosen profes- Norwin are survived sion. Foil earned a doctorate in forestry by two sons and their from Duke University. He served as families. a faculty member of LSU’s School of Robert H. Mills, Forestry & Wildlife Management, its ‘63 B.S.F., ‘64 M.S. Agricultural Experiment Station and its Game Management, Agricultural Extension Service. At Mis- was named by LSU’s sissippi State University he was Dean of Forestry, Wildlife its School of Forestry and later was its and Fisheries Alumni Vice President for Agriculture, Forestry Association as Alum- and Veterinary Medicine. Among his nus of the Year. Mills many honors was becoming a Fellow in retired after serving the Society of American Foresters and many years as Wildlife Former LSU RNR faculty member Dr. John Toliver recently accepted receiving the 1983 Alumnus of the Year and Forestry Specialist an assignment at the Southern Research Station as liaison for a award, LSU Forestry, Wildlife and Fish- with the LSU Agricul- Forest Service R&D Hurricane Katrina/Rita response effort. He was visiting state, federal, private and university personnel in Alabama, eries Alumni Association. He is author tural Center. Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana. He also took an evening to visit or co-author of many professional and J. Walter Myers with several RNR alumni. Back row (l-r): John Tolliver, Jim Chambers scientifi c publications. Jr., ‘41 B.S.F., ‘51 (School of RNR), Brian Chandler (Area Forester, LSU AgCenter), H. Dale Hall, ‘79 M.S. fi sheries, M.F., died in Atlanta, bottom row: Rudy Sparks (Williams, Inc.), Patti Faulkner (Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries) and Steven Faulkner (USGS is head of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ga. October 8, 2005. National Wetland Research Center). Service. After serving 31 John L. Harper, ‘69 B.S.F., years as executive director of the Forest former School faculty member, as the received an award from the Louisiana Farmers Association (now the Forest only honorary alumni members in the Forestry Association as Tree Farm In- Landowners Association) he became FWF Alumni Association. spector of the Year 2005. president of the Society of American James G. Warmbrod, ‘38 B.S.F., Howard L. Helms, ‘67 B.S.F., Foresters and started a consulting fi rm. died August 12, 2002 in Jackson, Tenn. wrote the School last year from Fort He is survived by his wife and three His widow notifi ed the School last Polk, La. after stumbling across the children. October. Warmbrod played football for School Web site. He joined the Marine Thomas F. Ramke, ‘40 B.S.F., LSU. After graduation, he worked in Corps and was commissioned a 2nd died at age 88 on December 26, 2005 forestry for the state of Tennessee, and Lt. in June 1967. After 24 years in the in Knoxville, Tenn. He had a 35-year their son attended LSU. Mrs. Warm- Marines, he retired in 1991 and taught career with the Tennessee Valley Au- brod wrote, “When we came down to middle school and coached high school thority, retiring in 1979 as manager of LSU for a football game, I’d tell our baseball in Virginia. In 1998 he re- the offi ce of Tributary Area Develop- friends I had mixed emotions as to signed from teaching and accepted a job ment. whom I was going to pull for! Tennes- with a defense contractor at Ft. Polk to Lambert H. Romero Sr., ‘49 see paid Jim’s salary, but he attended train Army units prior to their deploy- B.S.F., died March 31, 2006 at age LSU. There is a live oak on the LSU ment in Bosnia, Kosovo and now Iraq 83 in Baton Rouge. For many years campus near the RNR Building with a and Afghanistan. he worked for the Louisiana Forestry bronze plaque at the tree’s base show- Michael K. Hudson, ‘81 B.S.F., Commission, serving as Fire Control ing its dedication to Jim’s memory.” Mandeville, was elected last fall to be Offi cer until he retired in 1980. He was Got News? the 3rd vice president of the Louisiana a WW II Army veteran and is survived E-mail Todd Shupe at [email protected] Forestry Association. by his wife, a daughter and a son. or Paul Burns at [email protected]

School of Renewable Natural Resources 15 Career opportunities in the conservation, preservation and management of America’s natural resources.

The Louisiana State University School of Renewable Natural Resources offers exciting opportunities for students to pursue a wide range of career opportunities in the conservation, preservation and management of America’s natural resources. We offer two undergraduate programs as well as M.S. and Ph.D. programs. For more information, visit www.rnr.lsu.edu. Our undergraduate programs include nine areas of concentration: Ecosystem Restoration, Forest Resource Management, Conservation Biology, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Natural Resource Conservation, Wetland Science, Wildlife Ecology, Wildlife Law Enforcement and Pre-Veterinary Wildlife.

School of Non-profi t Org. School of Renewable Natural Resources U.S. Postage Renewable Natural Resources Louisiana State University William E. Kelso, Interim Director Baton Rouge, LA 70803-6200 PAID Melinda Hughes, Editor Permit No. 733 Baton Rouge, LA School of Renewable Natural Resources Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, LA 70803-6200 Tel (225) 578-4131 Fax (225) 578-4227 www.lsuagcenter.com www.rnr.lsu.edu

Louisiana State University Agricultural Center William B. Richardson, Chancellor David J. Boethel, Vice Chancellor and Director of Research Paul D. Coreil, Vice Chancellor and Director of Extension

Louisiana State University and A&M College Sean O’Keefe, Chancellor College of Agriculture Kenneth L. Koonce, Dean

The LSU Agricultural Center provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. The Louisiana State University and A&M College is an equal opportunity/equal access employer. Produced by LSU AgCenter Communications

16 School of Renewable Natural Resources