Forest Forum Washington County Small Woodlands Association
January, 2010 Biomass Crop Assistance WCSWA Election Brings Program Opportunity New Faces to Leadership
Gail Stinnett, Farm Services Agency Thank you to all who sent in their ballots for Manager, and Dean Moberg, NRCS the 2010 election of Officers and Directors. District Conservationist, will be the Twenty-eight ballots were returned. The featured speakers at WCSWA’s monthly unanimous results are as follows: th meeting on January 26 . They will explain the Biomass Crop President: Jim Brown Assistance Program (BCAP) which Vice President: Scott Hayes assists agricultural and forest land
owners with matching payments (dollar for dollar) for the collection, harvest, Secretary/Treasurer: Bob Shumaker storage and transportation (CHST) of Board of Directors Position #1: Sam Sadtler eligible material by a qualified Biomass
Conversion Facility. Board of Directors Position #2: Tom Nygren The USDA Fact Sheet summarizes the benefits: “BCAP supports the production We also thank the new officers and directors of bioenergy on the nation’s farms and for their willingness to serve. ranches, provides matching payments for biomass from farms, ranches, and For a complete list of officers with their
forest land delivered to a CHST-qualified contact information, refer to the “WCSWA biomass conversion facility, and protects Leadership” information on page 3. Please the environmental health of land enrolled contact any officer, board member or in BCAP.” newsletter editor with ideas or comments on how WCSWA can best serve the woodland
community’s needs.
I N T HIS I S S UE Besides contacting anyone in WCSWA leadership with ideas, there are always Page 2 President’s Notes ways for WCSWA members to be involved Page 5 in projects by joining committees. Wild “Donkey” Discovered Committees and their contacts are: Page 6 Private Forests Study Seedling sale : Bob Shumaker (503-324-7825) Page 7 Urban/Rural Study Map Annual Meeting : Beth Adams (503-628-0722) Program : Beth Adams (503-628-0722) Page 10 Tree Talk Scholarships : Sharon Boge ((503-357-7688) Plant Sale : Bonnie Shumaker (503-324-7825) Page 12 Potpourri
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Notes from the (New) President by Jim Brown
First of all, I want to thank Dallas Boge for his outstanding leadership of the Washington County Small Woodlands Association for the last four years .
Allow me to introduce myself to those of you – a majority of our members – whom I have yet to meet. I am your new president, Jim Brown (my real name). Let me wish you an interesting and successful 2010. Your new Association president is a retired high-school science teacher and Portland piano player, whose only tree farm is in Yamhill County. Seems a bit incongruous, but I am honored to serve in this office and I take the obligation seriously. I purchased my first forestland in 1966, when I was 24 years old, and I have been actively tree-farming ever since!
Fact is, many of us do not live on our farms, do not reside in Washington County, and have diverse occupations and interests, while others of us live on and/or earn our livings from our farms. Members’ tree farms range in size from ten acres to several hundred. Our management styles range from benign neglect to intensive silviculture, record- keeping, and marketing. So we are a diverse group, a combination of urban and rural. Our most recent roster lists 166 members, and probably includes more than 500 people, since many of you have families.
In my decade or so as a member of WCSWA I have been impressed that your Board of Directors is committed to helping us each work toward our individual goals in managing our forests. This monthly newsletter, The Forest Forum , is one way we all keep up with what WCSWA has to offer. I want to encourage each of you to let the Board know how this Association can help you. You may have suggestions for informative meeting topics, tours, etc. Let me also encourage you to become involved in your Association.
In 2010, we will have meeting speakers who will inform us about marketing, incentive opportunities, wildlife enhancement, alternative forest products, etc. There will be a tour of our Tree Farmer of the Year’s farm, and a tour of a local small-scale specialty sawmill. At each meeting will be novice tree farmers, professional foresters, Master Woodland Managers, and the rest of us. Please come and share your experience, and hopefully return home with a bit more knowledge to enhance your forest.
See you on January 26 th
Jim Brown
“When you put your hand in a flowing stream, you touch the last that has gone before and the first of what is still to come.” -Leonardo da Vinci
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WCSWA Website WCSWA Leadership www.wcswa.org President – Jim Brown, 503-284-6455 [email protected] Website Manager: Kathy Scott Vice-President – Scott Hayes, 503- 992-1509 [email protected] Contact Tom Nygren for web postings Secretary-Treasurer – Bob Shumaker; 503-324-7825 and information. [email protected] Board of Directors : Dick Courter; 503-297-1660 [email protected] Art Dummer; 503-357-4258 [email protected] Tom Nygren, 503-628-5472 [email protected] Sam Sadtler 503-324-0223 [email protected] Forest Forum Newsletter Bonnie Shumaker – 503-324-7825 [email protected] Editors: Tom Nygren & Bonnie Bill Triest – 503-626-1838 [email protected] Shumaker 503-628-5472 or 503-324-7825 Legislative Committee Chair: e-mail: [email protected] or Ron Larson; 503-775-3223 [email protected] [email protected] Proofreaders: Bonnie Shumaker, Dan Hundley, Tom Nygren and Ardis Schroeder
The Tree Farm Tradin’ Post A free service to our members: List tree farm items/land to buy, sell, or trade. Contact Tom Nygren, 503- 628-5472. Got a tool or piece of equipment you don’t need any more? Or maybe you are looking for tools, equipment, property, or materials? You can place a free advertisement in Forest Forum. Another way for tree farmers to help each other! (3 month limit)
For Sale: Illness forces sale : 40 acre tree farm above Hagg Lake. 30 acres in deferral. Mixed ages and species. Includes home, barn, orchard, pastures, s prings and seasonal ponds. Kathy or Steve 503- 359-1405
Wanted: (none)
Trade: (none)
Event Calendar
December No meeting is scheduled
January 26 WCSWA Monthly Meeting, 7:00 p.m., OSU Extension office, Capital Center 185 th and Walker Road, Beaverton. Speakers will be Dean Moberg, NRCS District Conservationist, and Gail Stinnett, Manager, Farm Services Agency, on the Biomass Crop Assistance Program. February 23 WCSWA Monthly Meeting, 7:00 p.m., OSU Extension office, Capital Center 185 th and Walker Road, Beaverton. Speaker will be Paula Sweeden, PhD, a private consultant and senior policy analyst with Pacific Forest Trust. She will speak on the topic of conversion of plantation forests to more diverse forest models and provide insights into financial mechanisms for accomplishing such conversions March 13 WCSWA Native Plant Sale , Bales Thriftway, Aloha. 9am to 3pm. March 23 WCSWA Monthly Meeting, 7:00 p.m., OSU Extension office, Capital Center 185 th and Walker Road, Beaverton. Program details will be provided later.
April 27 WCSWA Monthly Meeting, 7:00 p.m., OSU Extension office, Capital Center 185 th and Walker Road, Beaverton. Program details will be provided later.
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Advertising Opportunity: The Forest Forum is a monthly newsletter sent out to over 250 members and friends of WCSWA. Advertisers receive free newsletters for the duration of their ads.
ADVERTISING RATES (PRICE INCLUDES TYPESETTING & AD PREP)
YES! I want to advertise in the WCSWA Forest Forum. Ad size: ______Enclosed is a check or money order for: 1 issue ___ 4 issues ___ 12 issues ___ Company______Contact______1 4 12 Address______issue issues issues City/State/Zip______1/12 $15 $30 $75 Phone______page Fax______1/6 page 25 50 125 ¼ page 35 70 175 1/3 page 45 90 225 Please send this form, ad copy, logos, photos, etc. to: ½ page 65 130 325 Dallas Boge, 10735 NW Thornburg Rd, Gales Creek, OR 97117 2/3 page 86 170 425 Full 125 250 625 Thank you for supporting Washington County Small page Woodlands Association!
Woodland Mentor Passes
WCSWA was just one of the many beneficiaries of the knowledge and support of Ned Hayes who died in December. We will all miss his quiet integrity and extend sympathies to the family. His son, Peter, was the speaker at our Annual Meeting last November. Peter has been managing the family’s woodland properties for several years showing that Ned also set a good example for intergenerational transfer. The following obituary appeared in the Oregonian. Edmund Hayes Jr. 4/13/1926 12/2/2009 Ned Hayes died in Portland Dec. 2, 2009, at age 83, following a stroke. Ned was born April 13, 1926, to Anna Wheeler and Edmund Hayes, also of Portland. He attended Lincoln High School; was a graduate of Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass.; and Yale College; and served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He married Harriet "Sis" Sterling in 1951. He owned and operated CWS Corporation from 1966 to 1986, after which he assembled and managed several small family forest properties. Ned was active throughout his life in countless arts, educational, humanitarian, conservation, political and civic activities for the betterment of Portland and Oregon. His advice and support was sought by many, and was always generously provided with understated good humor. In addition to his wife, Harriet; survivors include his children, Anna Hayes Levin and Peter Hayes; their spouses, Peter Levin and Pamela Speers Hayes; and grandchildren, Will and Ned Levin and Ben and Molly Hayes. Remembrances may be made to an organization of the donor's choice, to support the goals Ned believed in. A memorial celebration will be held at 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, in the World Forestry Center.
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The following appeared in the Beaverton Valley Times (December 4, 2009)
Catlin Gabel excursion leads to historic forest find Trudging deep into the coastal woods, students locate forgotten logging machinery where it was abandoned almost a century ago
In early November, six Catlin Gabel students and two adult leaders set out to find a 90-year-old “donkey” in the forests of Oregon’s coast.
Yet this donkey was of the machine, not mammal variety.
The group found a steam donkey, an iron engine that was commonly used in logging at the turn of the century.
The weekend adventure to find the long-since abandoned machinery was part of the Catlin Gabel’s outdoor education program.
“The trip itself was one of the many, varied offerings of the outdoor program at the school,” said Peter Green, the program director and an excursion leader. “There has been an increasing shift within the program away from predictable trips, like rafting, biking and rock climbing, and toward trips that are more adventurous, where the outcome is less certain and the actual timing and schedule of events isn’t preplanned.”
“Searching in the woods for a lost steam donkey seemed a perfect trip for that model,” Green said.
On Nov. 14 and 15 the group set out to find the last wild steam donkey in the northern coast range. The drive from the school took the group over the complex of old logging roads in the Tillamook State Forest that cover the hills above the Salmonberry River.
Most of the first day was spent learning about the logging history and equipment that shaped the Northwest. The group set up camp above the river and built a fire to keep warm. After a dinner of flaming chicken and pies, the group turned in for the night.
The day of the search was rainy and chilly. Two miles of hiking brought the party to the Salmonberry River. The group combed the steep hills above the river searching for the donkey using information provided by local historian Merv Johnson, who had visited the donkey in the late ‘70s.
Shortly after noon the cry of “The burro has landed!” crackled over the groups’ two-way radios. Racing to the engine, the students clambered over the beast and pieced together the history of the huge machine.
Back in the 1920s, before the great Tillamook Burn swept through the watershed of the Salmonberry River, these steam powered “yarders” were used to haul logs up and down the steep hillsides to a central location where trains could take them to the mill, according to Green.
Once a particular operation or “show” was completed, the machine was hauled through the woods on a wooden sled to the next show. In some cases the machines were just left in the woods.
The donkey the group found was built in Seattle, probably during the early 1900s. It has sat in the same location above the river since the day the loggers walked away from it many years ago.
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The machine is the only known “wild” donkey in the northern coast range, Green explained. Most appear in museums, though some may still be sitting undiscovered in the woods.
In addition to being part of a rare group of people to find a donkey in the woods, Green said the students learned a lot about Oregon’s forests by exploring deep inside one and about the history of Oregon logging – particularly about the network of railroads that laced the coast range and about what it was like to live in the woods as the loggers did for their jobs.
“Also, and maybe most importantly, I think some of them were bitten with the adventure and discovery bug,” he said. What is a steam donkey? It’s a type of stationary steam engine, made up of a frame, boiler and at least one winch. These engines were used historically during logging operations to haul logs. They were named donkey engines because of the animals they replaced. When did they rev up? John Dolbeer, a founding partner of the Dolbeer and Carson Lumber Company in Eureka, Calif., invented the logging engine in August 1881.
The steam donkey increased the efficiency of logging operations in Oregon by replacing animal labor, which could not work as fast in the rain, cold or on steep terrain (typical conditions on the Oregon coast). Oregon logging companies first began to use the steam-powered machine in the mid-1880s, but it was not until the early 20th century that steam donkeys were commonly used to haul logs to waterways, railroads and mills.
– Wikipedia and the Oregon History Project
Editor’s Note: If you haven’t been to the Tillamook Forest Center and seen their “donkey” and heard the story of how it was retrieved from the woods, you owe yourself a treat. The TFC is closed for the winter, but will reopen in March.
First-Ever Study Quantifies the Economic Impact of Private, Working Forests in the U.S. From the December 2009 Forest2Mill newsletter.
A new study, commissioned by the National Alliance of Forest Owners (NAFO) and conducted by Forest2Market, quantifies the economic impact of private, working forests on the U.S. economy. The study found a significant gap between the contributions made by privately-owned forests over other ownership types. On average, they generate $277,000 in state GDP per 1,000 acres, while public forests generate just $41,000 per acre. The study also concludes that every 1,000 acres of private, working forest creates 8 jobs, $270,000 in payroll, $9,850 in state taxes (income and severance taxes only) and $733,000 in annual sales. The study completes the picture of the contributions that working forests make, says David P. Tenny, President and CEO of NAFO. “We all know that private, working forests provide clean water and air, open space, wildlife habitat, recreation, and other environmental benefits. This study demonstrates the significant economic benefits these forests provide: family waged jobs, a strong tax base, and the economic foundation of the forest products industry. They are fundamental to both the economic and environmental infrastructure of our nation.”
(See “Study”, on page 7)
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“Study”, continued from page 6
The study, which looks at economic contribution by state and region as well as nationally, is the first of its kind. “To our knowledge, no one else has taken a comprehensive look at the total contribution that forests make to the economy,” says Pete Stewart, CEO and President of Forest2Market. “This study demonstrates that private working forests support local and state economies,” says Stewart. “While the industry is struggling from the depressed housing market and the wider recession, it’s important to know exactly how much working forests contribute in jobs, taxes and GDP. With a clear view of the total contribution, we can better understand the consequences of public policies and market factors that limit how much work these forests can do.” Results of the study are available using the interactive map on NAFO’s website http://nafoalliance.org . The full study is available at www.forest2market.com/f2m/f2m-impact .
Regional Decision-Makers Release Latest Draft Urban/Rural Reserves Map for Public Review and Comment
Regional decision-makers are one step closer to determining where urban growth will and will not occur in the Portland metropolitan area over the next 40-50 years. On December 16, one representative each from Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington Counties and Metro (the group known as the Core 4) continued finding areas of agreement on proposed urban
and rural reserves. The results of their work to date are shown i n the December 16 Core 4 map posted on the Metro and Washington County reserves websites. That map will be offered to the public for review and comment before final decisions are made by the four jurisdictions in late February. The map also includes approximately 224,000 acres of farmland, forests and natural areas proposed as rural reserves (areas that will be protected from urbanization for 40 to 50 years.)
The public will have many opportunities to comment on the areas proposed as urban and rural reserves. The closest Washington County meeting is Sat . Jan. 16, Wash. Co. Charles D. Cameron Public Services Bldg, 155 N 1 st, Hillsboro from 9 -11a.m. Further information on ways to comment by mail, email or phone as well as the map can be found at: www.oregonmetro.gov/reserves or www.co.washington.or.us/reserves (under What’s New? and Documents and Maps)
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Investments Acquisitions Exchanges Sales
Jeffrey R Campbell, Principal Broker Gerald Hiebert, Broker
(503) 957-7025 (503) 551-5300
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Land Surveying Planning Engineering Water Rights Forestry
Tel. (503) 357-5717 FAX (503) 357-5698 3012-A Pacific Ave. Forest Grove
Serving small timberland owners in Oregon since 1968 Timber Sale Management - Timber Cruising and Appraisal – Land Use Planning For Rural Parcels – Fish Presence/Absence Surveys. We are proud of our client relationships and would enjoy the opportunity to provide you with quality service.
January, 2010 Forest Forum 8
Forester Update Barry Sims was very busy this summer managing an oak savanna restoration project on Willamette University’s Zena Forest near Salem. He has joined the Board of Directors for the Forest Park Conservancy and hopes to help the organization develop and implement a strategy for combating invasive plant species in Portland’s 5,000 acre Forest Park. From Trout Mountain Forestry’s Fall, 2009 Newsletter
CREATIVE FORESTRY WARREN TAUSCH, CERTIFIED FORESTER SPECIALIZING IN PARTNERSHIPS • WITH YOU, THE FOREST OWNER, SEEKING CREATIVE APPROACHES TO YOUNG STAND MANAGEMENT • WITH NATURE, IN THE ONGOING CREATION AND EVOLUTION OF A HEALTHY, DIVERSE FOREST! FREE INITIAL CONSULTCONSULTATION!ATION! CALL WARREN AT 503503----481481481481----1921.1921. VISIT MY WEBSITE AT www.tauschforestconsulting.com
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TREE TALK by Bonnie Shumaker
We rested ourselves with a desert trip southwest
With friends we found beauty and fun were the best Our trip home paused with deer camp on the side A beautiful spot where the deer knew to hide
Our final task required demolition of old house From Bob and Bonnie The necessity for this you may still hear us grouse Things of value were sold or sent to “Restore” Remembering 2009 And the old house stood looking forlorn and poor
Last winter brought almost three feet of snowing The culmination was an excellent training burn Bob and his ‘dozer spent hours on the plowing For Banks Fire Department, we let trainees learn
Bulldozer tasks he mostly does with aplomb Fifty fire fighters were taught first-hand But this snow seemed to drag on and on About dealing with fire and what heat they could stand
Snow-loving Shumakers almost never cry “uncle” The day was amazing, the flames were so bright But this time even the kids started to buckle We were transfixed; it was quite a sight “Enough snow days! School will go into summer!” The house’s footprint is gone, our view is improved Surely everyone knows that would be a bummer And with one house, not two, the county is soothed
Tree planting in February gave us problems with ice 2010 awaits; new projects to be done But planting day with grandkids turned out nice Tree planting plus a new shop; those should be fun Some of those trees lost their battle with summer heat We cherish our friends and wish all good cheer We will replant – seedlings often need a repeat May faith, love and happiness surround you this year
The weather up-righted in time to start A big project which began by tearing apart Our compound to make way for compliance
Of land use laws we must be in reliance
Swimming pool was shifted fifty feet to the west
Putting it back together put our minds to the test Deck boards went through a planer to look like new New boards we needed to buy just a few
Dan and Melinda were in charge of the rest: Their addition to our house; they gave it their best And did much themselves making summer a rush They plan a long rest from hammer and paint brush
Grandkids Tree Planting Day, February, 2009 . From left: Emma (dog), Melinda, Dan, Bob, Bonnie, Doug, Halle, Melissa, Elijah, Annika, Chelsea, Bridget
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Hunters Make a Difference
For more than 80 years, the money
from the Pittman-Robertson Act taxes on firearms and ammunition has paid for the restoration of our greatest herbivores and carnivores alike.
Taken together, Pittman-Robertson
taxes, the sale of state and federal waterfowl stamps, revenue from hunting and fishing licenses and money donated to groups like the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
contribute well over $4.5 million dollars to conservation every day.
The additional benefit of the money that is used to insure good hunting and fishing is that it also conserves habitat for songbirds, otters and
other “non-game” species, for all people to enjoy.
This success story is rarely told in the mainstream media and needs to be known by the general public.
Taken from “Bugle” the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation magazine, Jan/Feb 2010 President’s Message
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Washington County Small Woodlands Association NONPROFIT ORG Newsletter Editor US POSTAGE 19022 SW Finnigan Hill Road PAID Hillsboro, OR 97123 BANKS ,OR PERMIT NO. 908
Forest Forum
COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE OREGON SMALL WOODLANDS ASSOCIATION
Potpourri
Welcome to New Members!
John Hardisty of Sherwood has joined OSWA and WCSWA. We are here to help you achieve your management goals for your woodland. To get the most out of your membership, come to the meetings and tours that are scheduled throughout the year. You’ll find many kindred spirits among our diverse membership – and many opportunities to learn and share together! If you have any questions, or need help, contact any of the Directors, Officers, or Newsletter Editor
Woodland Information Night Thursday, January 14th, 2010, 6:30 - 8:30 pm OSU Columbia County Extension Service office 505 N. Columbia River Hwy, St. Helens
Do you want to get more involved in taking care of your wooded property, but are unsure of where to start? Then make a new year's resolution to attend Woodland Information Night. This free program will provide tips on dealing with noxious weeds, protecting wooded property from fire, planting trees, and other issues of interest. You'll also find out about the various sources of assistance available to help you achieve your goals and keep your woodland and associated wildlife, water and other resources healthy and productive.
For more information, call the OSU Extension office, 503-397-3462. This event is co-sponsored by the Columbia Soil and Water Conservation District and the Oregon Department of Forestry.
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