FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT NEWS A Newsletter for Department of Forest Ecology and Management Alumni, Staff, and Students
Vol. 7, No. 2 September 2004
under way. Prof. David Mladenoff will do the work on the ground and have an News from chair the search committee. impact on landscapes." Swift’s e-mail the Chair Finally, let me note that with each address is: [email protected]. passing newsletter, we are hearing from Steve Seybold (BS 1983, PhD UC- more and more of our alumni, some Davis 1992) reports that in 2002 he near, some far, some of recent vintage The halcyon days that we expect to fill moved to Davis, California, to take a and some from earlier decades. We wel- summer in Madison have been few and Research Entomologist position with the come every contact with you. We remain far between this year. A tornado passed USDA Forest Service’s Southwest convinced that our graduates are – or through Madison in June, causing mod- Research Station. His research focuses will be – leaders in forestry and resource erate tree damage and adding significant on developing behavioral chemicals to management. We want and need to hear rainfall to an already soggy spring. I use as management tools for bark bee- from you about what we do that is good cannot recall an April-July period with tles. He was previously an assistant pro- and where we need to make improve- so much rain – the mosquitoes and lawn fessor at the University of Minnesota. ments. Stay in contact. – Ray Guries service companies seem the only benefi- Steve says Davis is a nice place to live, ciaries. But September will be on us near both ocean and mountains, soon, bringing eager young students, the although the summers are too hot for his controlled mayhem called "first week of tastes. Steve and his wife, Julie, are classes," and – eventually – a first frost. proud parents of a two and one-half year The last event will probably be the most Alumni Update old daughter named Emil. Steve’s e- anticipated this year. mail address is: [email protected]. In this issue, we are very pleased to Bruce R. Johnson (MS 1969, PhD recognize the generosity of the Connor Swift Corwin (BS 1981), a consulting 1980) sends word that he is retired and family in creating the endowed Connor forester living in New Hampshire, sent a now living in the rolling hills (Ocooch Center of Excellence in Forestry. The response to the comments Ray Guries Mountains) of Richland County in Connors are among the "first families" made in the News from the Chair col- southwestern Wisconsin. Bruce seems of Wisconsin forestry having made umn of the May 2004 FE&M News. to have found a perfect balance of work numerous contributions to forest prac- Swift feels that while the number of stu- and relaxation and says he is thoroughly tices and industrial organizations during dents majoring in forestry may be in enjoying management of his 52 acres of the past century. The endowment will be decline, opportunities are growing. He ag/forest land. especially important in providing sup- holds up examples of states on the East Alumni Update continues on page 2 port of basic research for several pro- Coast that require forest management grams. Please read the details of this plans on land enrolled in special tax cat- FOREST ECOLOGYAND important gift inside. egories. With the average lot size MANAGEMENT NEWS is pub- We are just beginning a search for a shrinking, the number of owners increas- lished by the Department of Forest new faculty member in the area of spa- es, along with the demand for the servic- Ecology and Management tial analysis of natural resources. Ideally, es of professional foresters to assist with an excellent candidate will emerge to preparing management plans. Swift also Please send comments and news to: teach the practical skills of air photo concurs with Ray’s comments about the Dept. of Forest Ecology and interpretation and related remote sensing need for today’s foresters to be well Management technologies while also building a rounded, articulate, and literate individu- 1630 Linden Drive research program complementary to als. "Today’s landowners are becoming University of Wisconsin-Madison those of our forest management and more sophisticated and want to deal with Madison, WI 53706-1598 ecology faculty. This will be our first people who see more than just $$ in Tel. 608-262-9975 Fax 608-262-9922 new hire in some 4 years, following a their woods," says Swift. He adds, Email:
Alumni Update continued from page 1 UW-Madison team places first in Upper Midwest Vic Rudis (MS 1978) says he is enjoy- ing his 24th year with the USDA Forest Capstone Competition Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis he UW-Madison Capstone team, representatives, university faculty, and Unit (FIA), as a research forester and Tconsisting of Amy Jahnke, Katie public agency representatives. The landscape ecologist. His family includes McMahon, Samuel Nitz, and Matthew FE&M team’s winning report created a his wife Mary and two sons: 16-year-old Burczyk, placed first and was awarded management plan for 250 acres owned Jonathan and 22-year-old Jeffrey. After $1,000 in the Upper Midwest Capstone by Plastic Ingenuity, Inc. near Cross many years in Mississippi, he, his wife, Competition. The students, all seniors, Plains, Wis. Their plan suggests the and younger son moved to Knoxville, completed the report as a requirement of land be used primarily for forest produc- TN, this summer. For details about the Integrated Resource Management tion, secondarily as a native community Vic’s professional life, visit his web site: course (Forestry 590) taught by Prof. management area and thirdly as a recre- http://www2.msstate.edu/~vrudis/index. Jeff Stier. Students work as a team ation area. The complete report can be html throughout the semester to develop an viewed at: http://forest.mtu.edu/competi- integrated management plan for a large tion/ parcel of public or private land. The Financial support for the program competition encourages students to inte- was provided by Mead Westvaco, grate and synthesize knowledge gained Michigan Association of Timbermen, Student News from courses throughout the curriculum. Rush’s Forest Products, Suchovsky At the end of the semester they submit a Logging, Timber Products Co., and report summarizing their work to a com- Michigan Tech School of Forest mittee of judges consisting of industry Resources and Environmental Science. Congratulations to our Spring 2004 graduates Undergraduate Degrees: 2004-2005 Scholarship Recipients Patrick Culbert - BS Forest Science Nicholas Dulemba - BS Rec. Resources Congratulations to the following Forest Ecology and Management Management students who received scholarships for the upcoming academic year. Grant Engler - BS Rec. Resources Management and IES Certificate Monica DeWild Soph Peter Young Student Assistance Grant Amy Jahnke - BS Forest Science Cody Didier Jr Vicky Lee Hirsh Academic Merit Award Craig Klinke - BS Forest Science Jacob Krueger - BS Rec. Resources John Gritt Sr Vicky Lee Hirsh Endowment for Conserva- Management and Soil Science tion Scholarship Emma Radomski - BS Rec. Resources Jacob Hanson Grad Rbt. B. Hendricks Memorial/Hardwood Mfgs. Management and IES Certificate Association Scholarship
Graduate Degrees: Matthew Kimmler Sr David N. Connor Scholarship Terrence Bush - MS – Thesis: Biodi- Rachel Kronenberg Sr Vicky Lee Hirsh Endowment for Conserva- versity and Sectorial Responsibility tion Scholarship in Swedish Forestry Policy, 1988 Michael LaBissoniere Grad Helen Miller Forestry Scholarship and Rbt. B. -1993: Mellan Samhället Och Den Hendricks Memorial/Hardwood Mfgs. Enskilde Association Scholarship John Erickson - PhD – Thesis: Physio- logical and Structural Determinants Joseph Lennart Sr David N. Connor Scholarship of Light Use Efficiency in Terrestrial Steven Neary Jr Earle D. Lyon Memorial Scholarship Vegetation John Goodburn - PhD – Thesis: Effects Kaitlin Schott Soph CALS Centennial Academic Merit Award of Opening Size and Competition Joseph Schwantes Sr Vicky Lee Hirsch Academic Merit Award Levels on the Growth and Canopy Recruitment of Saplings in Northern Kevin White Jr Irving W. Gerhardt Scholarship Hardwood Forests Aaron Wunnicke Sr Anna L. Rowe Scholarship continues on Page 3 Mo Zhou Grad John N. McGovern Family Scholarship FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT NEWS Page 3
Grads, continued from page 2 Rob Scheller - PhD – Thesis: Forest Landscape Simulation Models: Tools and Strategies for Projecting and Understanding Spatially Extensive Forest Ecosystems James Turner - PhD – Thesis: Trade Liberalization and Forest Resources: A Global Modeling Approach
Two students honored with Danzer Fellowships Congratulations to FE&M students Lisa Thomas and Amy Jahnke, both of whom were offered Danzer Fellowships. This is quite an honor considering the fact that only four people from the entire world received offers this year. The fellowships are awarded annual- ly by the Danzer Group, which produces and markets wood veneers and hardwood timber Lisa Thomas worldwide. The ‘It’s an ill wind that blows no good’ (old saying) prestigious 10- tephenson Tree Care, Inc., owned by FE&M alumnus John Stephenson (BS month fellowship based in Ger- S1999), made the Madison newspapers following a tornado that swept many is designed through Madison in late June. A front page photo appeared in the Wis. State to help groom Journal showing Stephenson’s crew taking down a damaged tree on Madison’s top-notch stu- west side. The tornado added work to an already busy season for Stephenson dents for careers and his crew. In fact, he had to limit storm damage jobs to current customers. in the interna- Stephenson and his crew took time out of their busy schedule for a group photo tional timber and forest products above. Pictured kneeling (l to r) are Mark Sundlin and Jamie Remme. Standing Amy Jahnke industry. The fel- in the back (l to r) are Kevin Colwin, John Stephenson and Joe House. Colwin lowships are run cooperatively with (BS 2002) and House (BS 1995) are also FE&M alumni. Current students may Reutlingen University and offer many want to take note, Stephenson says he is always looking for good interns. opportunities for hands-on training and Stephenson Tree Care, Inc. is located in Madison (e-mail: [email protected]). excursions to different regions of Europe and North America. It includes a monthly allowance, travel expenses, Gower’s lab. She also holds undergrad- degree in Forest Science in May 2004. health insurance, and accommodations. uate degrees from the UW-Madison in She says she is thrilled to have the Lisa and Amy both flew to Reutlingen, Japanese and East Asian Studies and has opportunity to study in Germany again. Germany, to participate in the fellow- studied and worked in Japan. Lisa decid- (She spent a year studying in Freiburg as ship’s grueling two-day interview ed to turn down the fellowship for per- an undergrad.) She is excited about the process. Lisa is completing a BS/MS sonal reasons, but is being considered fellowship and appreciative of the facul- degree in Forest Science while working for full-time employment with the ty for providing her with a quality edu- as a graduate project assistant in Prof. Danzer Group. Amy received her BS cation that helped her get there. Page 4 FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT NEWS
Folsland Bolkejo, Department of way. The research was funded by Ecology and Natural Resources Michigan Department of Natural Faculty News Management at the Agricultural Resources; Forest, Mineral and Fire University of Norway in Ås. Prof. Management Division. Buongiorno also traveled to Sweden to Other publications in the series include present an invited keynote paper on Joseph Buongiorno appointed two guides for Wisconsin: A Guide to "Management of forests for multiple use Forest Communities and Habitat Types Class of 1933 Bascom Professor under biological and economic risk" at of Northern Wisconsin, second edition the 11th Ulvön conference on published in 2002, and A Guide to Congratulations to Prof. Joseph Environmental Economics. Buongiorno who was appointed by the Forest Communities and Habitat Types University of of Central and Southern Wisconsin pub- Wisconsin Board of Prof. Eric Kruger promoted lished in 1996. The new Michigan guide Regents as "Class of replaces and greatly expands the area 1933 Bascom Congratulations to Prof. Eric Kruger, covered by the original habitat type clas- Professor" effective who has been promoted to full professor sification guide for the Western U.P. that July 1, 2004. The in the Depart- John co-authored while at Michigan Class of 1933 ment of Forest Tech prior to coming to UW-Madison. Bascom Professor- Ecology and Management The habitat type classification system ship is an "at-large" provides forest managers a tool to professorship made possible through a effective July 1, 2004. Prof. improve the process of assessing site gift of the University of Wisconsin potential of current stands, evaluate Class of 1933 to enhance the scholarly Kruger joined the department management alternatives, choose appro- activities of outstanding faculty mem- priate management objectives, and more bers. The primary criteria are the quali- in 1992 follow- ing his education accurately predict the effectiveness of ty, significance, and productivity of the possible silvicultural treatments. Copies nominee's research and the quality and at the University of Minnesota (BS and MS degrees) and a PhD in Forestry at of the field guides can be purchased programmatic value of the nominee's through the FE&M department office. teaching and service. Prof. Buongiorno UW-Madison. He specializes in tree has been a Department of Forest physiology and his current research is Ecology and Management faculty mem- focused on the FACE (free-air carbon dioxide enrichment) project near Extension outreach specialist ber since 1975 specializing in forest joins department economics. His recent research has Rhinelander, Wis., designed to measure the impact of air pollution on northern focused on international forest product Welcome to Stefan Bergmann, a half- forests. markets and the management of mixed- time associate outreach specialist who species uneven-aged forests. recently joined the department. Stefan Prof. Buongiorno was also honored by will focus his efforts on expanding the being elected by the French Academy of Department News reach of the Agriculture as a Foreign Correspondent department’s in their "Woods and Forests" section. forestry and The Académie d'Agriculture de France wood products extension pro- is heir to the Société Royale New field guide available d'Agriculture, founded in 1761 by King grams. His Louis XIV. There are seven Foreign The latest addition to the Habitat Type responsibilities Correspondents in section two "Bois et Classification Field Guide series has include moving Forêts." Recipients are appointed by the been produced by John Kotar and Tim current research French Minister of Agriculture upon Burger. The recent publication of A findings into election by the Academy. Guide to Forest Communities and extension initia- Habitat Types of Michigan extends the tives, responding to requests for infor- In June, Prof. Buongiorno was invited utility of the highly regarded forest site mation, and assisting in the develop- to be the "opponent" in the public classification system to the entire Upper ment, delivery, and evaluation of our defense of the thesis: "Modeling Peninsula and the Northern Lower extension program. Stefan received his demand, supply, and trade in the Peninsula of Michigan. Plans to continue MS in Forest Resources at Oregon State Norwegian Forestry Sector," for the work toward development of habitat University (working with UW-Madison "Doctor Scientiarum" degree of Torjus types in Southern Michigan are under- alumnus Prof. John Bliss). FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT NEWS Page 5
Gift Establishes Connor Center of Excellence in Forestry
hanks to the generosity and foresight of family was Mr. Gordon R. P. Connor, Mary’s Mrs. Mary Roddis Connor, we are very husband of 56 years. Mr. Connor was a past pres- Tpleased to announce the completion of the ident of the National Hardwood Lumber endowment for the Connor Center of Excellence in Association and the Northern Hardwood and Forestry. When Mrs. Con-nor approached us more Pine Association; a director of the National than a decade ago about her desire to establish this Forest Products Association and the American center, we understood the possibilities that this gift Forest Institute; and president of Connor Forest would create. Industries from 1965-1978. He also established Now that the the nationally known Camp 5 Logging Museum Center has come complex at Laona. Mr. Connor passed away in to fruition, we 1986, the same are even more year that he was grateful to the inducted into Connor Family the Wi s c o n s i n for their long Forestry Hall of history of sup- Fame. port for scholar- Mrs. Mary ships, lectures Roddis Connor and research was a member here at the uni- of another of versity. This gift Wi s c o n s i n ’s extends that leading lumber legacy and will families and the Gordon R. P. Connor enhance our daughter of Mr. research programs in northern Wisconsin in the H a m i l t o n areas of forest management, silviculture, econom- Roddis of the Mrs. Mary Roddis Connor ics, and forest products. R o d d i s The Connor Family has been a supporter of Lumber Company of Marshfield, Wi s c o n s i n . innovation in forest management and the lumber Mrs. Connor was active in a number of civic industry for over a century. The family was well organizations and associations and was the cor- known in northeastern Wisconsin at the end of the porate secretary of Connor Forest Industries for 19th century when W. D. Connor opened a sawmill 24 years. An articulate spokeswoman, she repre- in Forest County at present day Laona. Over the sented the forest industry before the legislature years, the company grew and diversified, expand- and numerous other groups for several decades. ing both their land base and their industrial capac- Mrs. Connor passed away in 2000. ity. One of the most prominent members of the Page 6 FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT NEWS
Best wishes to FE&M’s July retirees . . . Prof. Young retires after 29 years in FE&M
rofessor Raymond A. Young’s tic composite materials of the type now Every summer during the program a Pschedule got a little more flexible as on the market; and plasma chemical contingent of two to four students from of July 5. That was his official retire- modification of cellulose for creation of South and Central American would join ment date after 29 years in the new interactive paper products. In 1989 Young continues on page 7 Prof. Young spent one Department of Forest Ecology and Prof. Young’s boat should see plenty of time in the water Management. Prof. Young specialized in year as a Senior following his retirement on July 5. wood and polymer chemistry. He car- Fulbright Scholar at the Aristotelian University in Greece ‘I appreciate the the great working on wood- students and staff I’ve worked based composite mate- with on my research projects. . .’ rials. A particularly enjoyable aspect of his ried out extensive research on new, work here involved his environmentally friendly, solvent-based 10-year cooperative pulping systems for pulp and paper pro- program with the duction; alternate non-conventional, University of auto-adhesive bonding systems for Guadalajara in Mexico. wood; improved bonding of wood-plas-
Dr. John Kotar retires, may now have more time for Birkebeiner
est wishes to Dr. John Kotar, long-time 1986 and was followed by a companion guide Bresearch scientist in Forest Ecology and for southern Wisconsin in 1996. An expanded Management, who retired on July 6th. He version of the northern Wisconsin guide was joined the department in 1986 specializing in the published as a second edition in 2002, followed classification of forest vegetation into habitat by a guide for similar forest communities in types based on relationships between soils and Michigan in 2003. Dr. Kotar and his co-workers groupings of understory plant species. This clas- shared their expertise via numerous training sification system allows professional foresters to workshops to assist foresters in the practical predict the pathway of forest succession and application of the guides. make management decisions without resorting to Dr. Kotar received several awards during his complex, long-term studies. Dr. Kotar prepared tenure here, including the Wisconsin Idea Award several popular and widely distributed guide- in Natural Resources from the College of books to aid foresters in "habitat typing" virtually any forest Agricultural and Life Sciences at the UW-Madison in 1995, community in Wisconsin. His original book, Field Guide to Technology Transfer and Extension National Award from the Forest Habitat Types of Northern Wisconsin, was published in Kotar continues on page 7 FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT NEWS Page 7
Young, continued from page 6 taught on campus, while a second course Kotar, continued from page 6 his Madison group to work on new uses was an international winter break course Society of American Foresters (SAF) in for natural fiber products. At retirement taught on-site in the South Pacific coun- 1993, and the John Macon Award for Prof. Young and his students had com- try of Samoa. This course was titled meritorious service from the Wisconsin pleted over 170 publications including Polynesian Cultural Use of Plants for nine patents, eight books, 20 book and Materials, Food and Medicinals. Chapter of SAF in 2000. encyclopedia chapters and many origi- Now an emeritus professor, Dr. Dr. Kotar and his wife, Nina, and nal research papers. Says Prof. Young, Young continues some research activi- daughter, Katie, will remain in ties on essential oils from plants and "I appreciate the great students and staff Wisconsin. He and his long-time associ- I’ve worked with on my research proj- plasma modification of agricultural ects, which include over 50 graduate seeds. He and his colleagues also plan ate, Tim Burger, will continue work on a students from all parts of the world, to further their patented work on seed similar classification guide for five post-doctoral fellows, several visit- modification through the Small Business Minnesota and perhaps other states. His ing faculty, and numerous undergradu- Innovation Research Program. Prof. family also hopes to spend a lot more ate students." Young will split his time between time at their cabin near Cable in north- Prof. Young taught a variety of Madison and Minneapolis in the summer courses related to wood chemistry and months but will escape to his second ern Wisconsin and, of course, continue pulp and paper science during his home in Sarasota, Florida, for the winter with their long tradition of participating career. In recent years he developed where he can be found boating on the in the American Birkebeiner cross coun- several new, very popular ethnobotany- inter-coastal waterway or loafing on the try ski race each February. type courses. One course, Biomaterials beach at Siesta Key. and Medicinals from the Forest was
Forest Ecology and Management Capital Fund
We invite you to join us in our efforts to establish a capital fund. Proceeds will be used to support a range of research and instruction activities, help cover the costs of the summer field camp and the southern trip, and to upgrade research space in Russell Labs.
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If paying by check, please make your gift payable to UW Foundation Forestry Fund, University of Wisconsin Foundation, 1848 University Avenue, P.O. Box 8860, Madison, WI 53708-8860 Alumni Update We’d like to hear what’s new with you, your family, career, etc. Please complete and return the form below or e-mail the information to
Please return the above form to: Department of Forest Ecology and Management 1630 Linden Drive University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI 53706