By Russ Hudson

On September 29, 1999, a wonderful day was spent looking at past "forestry decisions" that were difficult to make. The Inland Empire Tree Improvement Coop invited members of the Libby and Flathead Chapters of Montana SAF to participate in their annual fall field day. Foresters looked at past treatments and their results, spanning an area from Plains to Libby.

The tour began at the Plum Creek Timberlands seed orchard in Plains. Champion International Corp. originally made this installation as part of their interest of implementing useful outcomes of the Coop’s earlier work. Plum Creek’s Mark Montville and Jim Henry led the tour of the seed orchard, cone processing facility and seed -testing lab.

The second stop was at the USFS clone bank and early ponderosa pine early selection trials at their Plains Tree Improvement area. Aram Eramian, from the C d’A nursery, spoke about the need for clone banks and early selection trials and how each are established and maintained.

Lorrie Woods, Plum Creek Forester, lead the discussion at the Smiley Creek site that she had recently treated. The stand’s silvicultural history and natural proclivity to problems would be a challenge for any forester to manage. This stand is comprised mostly of Douglas fir infected with mistletoe, and grand fir. After a selective harvest, this site was underplanted with ponderosa pine to improve the species composition, genetic constitution and mistletoe resistance.

The next stop was at the Big Prairie low-elevation Douglas fir progeny test site on the west side of the Thompson River. It was installed in 1993 by Champion Timberlands as an IETIC project. Here Wayne Maahs, Plum Creek Forester, explained the plantation design and layout. Bill Libby’s idea was to be able to plant a trial in such a way that future thinning would still leave all of the initial families present after thinning and that all remaining trees would have equal growing room. Hence, the California Random Non-contiguous Interlocking Plot design was developed and implemented here. Since only three contract tree planters were used for planting and each planted every third row, recent measurements show an apparent effect on survival and growth.

After traveling to Libby, we made a quick tour of the Flower Point area just a few minutes west of town. Here, Russ Hudson stepped in for Gene Yahvah, retired Champion Forester, and explained the decisions made about treating this area. At the time of treatment, the St. Regis Paper Co owned this land. The large clear-cut was the removal of a high-graded stand left from J. Neils' railroad logging in the 20’s that did not have any suitable seed source for creating the next stand. The area was logged during 1983-84, broadcast burned in the fall of ‘84 and planted within a month with 6 species of seedlings grown in the bare-root nursery, greenhouse and bed-houses at the Libby facility. Fifteen years later, this stand shows excellent stocking of mixed species, all growing at full potential in an area exhibiting excellent biodiversity of flora and fauna.

All members of the SAF thank the IETIC for including them in this year's field trip.

By Barett Volkmann, camp participant

As the fire burned low, we all stood around singing "The River," as we swayed in harmony. We reflected on the experiences of the week gone by: the new friends we had made; all of the knowledge we had gained; and the new found respect we had for each other and the environment.

We learned all of these things and more at Montana Natural Resource Youth Camp. Perhaps the most important lesson was respect: to respect others enough to learn the whole story; to give people a chance to say what's on their mind, because you'll get your turn, too.

Rafting classes, swimming, campfires and LTD's (Learning Through Discovery) were some of the activities that took place at camp. We filled our brains with two three-hour classes a day, on subjects like forestry, water and geology. We were learning from professionals in each field.

We went through teamwork building exercises, for example, ropes courses. It helped us learn to work together to get things done as a team. They also helped us to get to know each other.

Montana State University's Extension Forestry has publications available to the public on "Forest Ecosystem Stewardship" and "Riparian Forest Wildlife." These colorful publications are directed to all audiences providing easy-to-read information on the concepts of forest ecosystems and riparian forests.

The "Forest Ecosystem Stewardship" booklet shows many before and after pictures of disturbances that were managed (or not) to enhance and recover for different objectives. It includes information on sustainability, biodiversity and linkages. It has 50 pages of photos, sketches and drawings.

The "Riparian Forest Wildlife" booklet is a guideline for loggers and landowners to recognize riparian forest areas. It gives a description of what riparian forests are, what kinds of plants make them unique and how they change. The booklet contains wonderful pictures of birds, fish, reptiles and mammals of riparian areas.

Booklets can be obtained from MSU Extension

Publications, P.O. Box 172040, Bozeman, MT. 59717.There is a $5 cost for each booklet.

The restoration project for the Big Spring Creek watershed in Lewiston, MT has been chosen as one of four recipients of the National SAF Foresters' Fund Grant. SAF members have joined in a community partnership to restore the watershed. The $5,000 grant will assist in funding the planting of native tress and shrubs. It will also help in developing an interpretive trail alongside the creek. The work is expected to coincide with Arbor Day celebrations.

By Ed Lieser

The culmination of the year for me as Chair of the Montana Society was to represent you at the House of Society Delegates (HSD) in Portland, OR. The HSD Chair, Michael Virga, Vice-Chair Wayne Clatterbuck, and conveners from around the nation thoughtfully prepared the agenda for this year's meeting. The convener system provides an opportunity for delegates to communicate periodically throughout the year, prior to the meeting of HSD, to deliberate issues and success stories of regional importance. Results of these discussions are submitted to the HSD Chair and Vice-Chair to formulate the two-day agenda. Participation in HSD consisted of 33 state and multi-state chairs and many of the chair-elect’s. While chair-elect’s are not voting members, they are allowed to participate in discussions. In addition, all council members, national president, vice-president, executive vice-president and national staff were in attendance. With representation from all quarters of SAF leadership, the direction of our Society was thoroughly considered.

There is not sufficient space available to relate everything that was covered. Therefore, I will attempt to relate those issues that occupied most of our time.

Opening remarks from President Jim Coufal encouraged delegates and council members to strongly consider the "field forester." He suggested that our profession be ultimately evaluated by the results of forest practices on the ground. Forest policies from SAF must incorporate and be communicated to foresters that apply them on the ground.

John Heissenbuttel, council representative from the Midwest, presented the council’s Strategic Objectives for the period from 1999 through 2003. The number one objective of the council for this five-year period is membership and diversity.

A particularly vexing issue that we spent considerable time discussing was carried over from last year’s national meeting. The issue involved, essentially, the inclusivity versus the exclusivity of potential SAF members. A segment of the delegates believe it is inappropriate to include natural resource professionals that do not have forestry as their first degree. The concern was for the potential dilution of the SAF to a point where the identity of the profession would be lost. A majority of the delegates believe the society should be an integrator of the multitude of disciplines having expertise pertaining to the sustainable management of forest ecosystems. Consequently, HSD recommended that council aggressively integrate SAF through programs and policies that attract diverse natural resource professionals. Furthermore, this is consistent with existing national bylaws regarding membership.

The Appalachian Society (APSAF) was concerned about the potential for reverse discrimination in the recruitment of members. Specifically, they were concerned about targeting certain segments of our population and offering financial support for attending the National meeting. APSAF suggested that the HSD recommend to Council that a national Membership Committee is established and that a Cultural Diversity Committee is a subcommittee under the proposed Membership committee. The national Executive Vice-president assured everyone that reverse discrimination had not been practiced, and evidence of that was apparent in the composition of the HSD, Council, and the membership at large. The intent of the national office is to provide "clear signals and indicators that we are committed to welcoming women and men of all backgrounds". Ultimately, the recommendation failed and the status quo will continue.

The next issue relates to the fact that SAF currently does not have a policy on the effect of the demand of human population on forests. SAF adopted a policy on the relationship between human demand and forestry in 1984, however it was allowed to lapse. The National Policy Director, Michael Gergen, raised the issue in 1998, but it was not included on the HSD agenda. Delegates generally agreed that SAF should have a current policy statement on population, the ensuing discussion primarily involved the wording of such a position. The recommendation for Council was that HSD acknowledges the need for SAF to address human population and consumption effects, both domestic and worldwide, on forest resources. Council recommended that the Forest Policy Committee develop a position statement, or white paper, on the subject to be reviewed by HSD members and approved by Council.

Said statement should address the following points, among others:

1. The impact of domestic policies which shift forest resources demand to other areas;

2. The ability of forests to meet the demands of growing human populations and demands.

3. The degree of conflict of human demands and the ability of the forest to meet those demands.

HSD was told that the number of Fellows has now exceeded five percent of the national membership. This is a violation of the bylaws and will be reviewed by Council. More than likely, there will be a change in the allowable percentage of Fellows as well as a change in the process to become a Fellow.

Numerous reports and success stories were presented during the two-day session. The opportunity to interact with foresters from around the United States was personally rewarding and renewed my commitment to the SAF. If you have any questions about the proceedings at HSD please give me a call at 406-862-7295, or e-mail me at 1234@digisys.net.

Now is the time to start thinking about next year's meeting of HSD. If you have any thoughts about your profession and the direction it should take, pass them on to me, or to Gordy Sanders who will represent you at HSD next year.

Executive Committee

The next meeting of the Executive Committee will be held October 15, 1999 at the Missoula Smokejumpers at 9.a.m. This is a tentative agenda for the meeting:

Reading of minutes from the last meeting and Treasurer’s report

Committee Reports: Science and Technology; Mentor Program; Centennial Committee; MNYRC; Policy Committee; Membership; Newsletter; BLM Advisory Council; CFE; Cultural Diversity.

Executive: Old Business: Habitat for Humanity; Bylaws; Budget; FSC; U of M Scholarship; Update on State Meeting 2000;

Membership Handbook.

Executive: New Business: National Meeting Report; Centennial Campaign; Forester’s Fund Grant – Spring Creek;

Code of Ethics – Review of Proposed Revisions; Officers for Year 2000

Centennial Committee

The Statewide SAF Centennial Committee is at work preparing for the many events that will celebrate the first centennial of SAF in the year 2000.

All members of the Committee are, coincidentally, Missoula Chapter SAF, but they are serving in this assignment on a statewide basis. They are: Gary Brown, retired State Forester; Ernie Corrick, Retired Vice President, Champion International; Lorin Hearst, retired Forest Service; Ed Heilman, retired Forest Service; and John Host, retired Forest Service.

The committee is currently working on three projects. It is researching and preparing a series of biographies of early members of SAF in Montana. They will be offered to newspapers and other publications (including this one) throughout Montana. The biographies will contain "bridge" text linking the efforts of these early SAF members with today's professional forestry. The committee hopes this series will appear statewide throughout the Centennial year. Its purpose is to increase public awareness to the role of SAF.

The committee is considering preparing a time capsule to be dedicated during the SAF State Meeting in Missoula. At least three issues are being discussed: content, format and location. What sort of information should be contained in the time capsule? How should this information be recorded taking into account changing technology? (Have you tried to play any of your 45 rpm records lately?) Finally, exactly where should the capsule be stored?

The committee is also participating as part of the planning committee for the statewide meeting for September 2000. In this capacity, the committee will serve as assigned.

The Centennial Committee continues its efforts . . . stay tuned.

Membership

The Montana SAF is losing members rapidly. After unpaid and resigned members were purged from the state organization, numbers dropped from 453 to 411 current members. This represents a drop of approximately 9 %. It is quite a significant loss. The accompanying chart is from the National Office showing where membership is changing.

Meanwhile, the following members have been recognized as "Sustaining Members:" Richard Barney, Franklin Blackmer, Thomas Finch, Vernon Hamre, Charles Hardy and John Morrison. A sustaining member is one that contributes extra funds, over and above annual dues, to SAF.

Elections

By Michael David Moore

I appreciate this opportunity to talk directly to members of the Montana SAF. I have had several opportunities to visit your great state and view many of the ongoing forestry operations. Things always look good to me in Montana!

Please take a minute to read the candidates statements and our interviews in the September Forestry Source. My biographical sketch lays out my commitment and service to SAF. I have always received much more than I have given in my SAF activities primarily due to working so closely with the wonderful SAF members. Although I have spent a great deal of time working on policy matters for the Society I have been involved in a full range of activities including chairing the Human Resources Working Group and the 1998 National Convention at Traverse City. I believe in the SAF!

It is very important that we get out the message that our profession (and our professional Society) has protected, managed and cared for the forest resources of this nation for almost one hundred years. The results are a vibrant, growing resource that provides the full range of forest products needed by our citizens. I believe I have the leadership skills and experience to help our Society inform the public of our history.

By John Heissenbuttel

My vision for SAF and my term (if elected) is to establish the Society as the leader in providing credible and reliable forestry information. I want to position SAF such that the public and policy makers seek out our views before making decisions affecting forest management. I want to see the day when John and Jane Q. Public recognize that scientifically sound stewardship of our nation's forests through management is the most effective means to achieve society's environmental goals. I want to see an SAF supported by a growing number of professionals as the organization that best serves the forestry profession.

This vision is within our reach if we are pragmatic. By pragmatic, I mean recognizing the fact that there are no

"silver bullets" out there for convincing the public to understand us and to respect us as professional foresters. Words alone will not do it. We must earn our credibility with the public through our actions so they will view our words as credible. This is why I would like to see each of SAF's 264 Chapters sponsor some type of annual "walk in the woods" for some segment of the public. It could be school children, elected officials, or teachers. It does not matter who the group is. What matters most is the outreach--we talk to someone other than ourselves.

Being pragmatic also means embracing the diversity of our membership (and potential membership) as strength. Today and in the future, effectively managing most forests requires silviculture, wildlife, watershed, recreation and soils expertise (just to name a few). My view is that SAF needs to "capture" all those involved in forest management as members. Just think about the strength of SAF's message by bringing all the disciplines involved in forest management together to speak with a united voice!

Another important part of being pragmatic is focusing our efforts on what really are the key issues. As I think about the next century, the major challenge we are going to face is simply maintaining forests as forests--no matter how they are managed. There are many competing uses for forestland. Unfortunately, the U.S. is losing its global competitive edge in forest product production. A real challenge for us in the future is ensuring that forests are not only managed responsibly from an environmental standpoint, but also generate a competitive financial return to the landowner. Reasonable financial returns enable landowners to maintain forests as forests.

I have demonstrated throughout my 20+ year career--from on-the-ground forest management to policy work at the national level--the ability to be successful when faced with very difficult challenges. I can do the same as the leader of SAF.

In the few words above I have described my vision for SAF with just a couple of thoughts on how to get there. However, I would be remiss if I did not recognize the fact that the SAF presidents in recent years have done an admirable job in moving toward this vision. With your support, I want to take this vision home.

A Walk in the Forest

On Friday, October 15, 1999, be one of the many SAF members across the country who will take children, media, lawmakers, neighbors, and others on a "Walk in the Forest." Now in its seventh year, this National SAF program is designed to help members teach the public about the many benefits of forests and how foresters care for them. In addition, by conducting a Walk in the Forest, SAF members can show the public that foresters share their love and respect for nature and the environment.

The 1999 Walk in the Forest Kit is now available! This kit is filled with information on how to plan and conduct a walk and includes a sample invitation, press release, letter to local media, and camera ready logos to print on your walk materials.

Furthermore, this is Eric's seventh CFE certificate overall! Congratulations.

By Dale Kerkvliet, CFE

Canadian Institute of Forestry Annual Meeting—Back to the Future in 100 Years. October 3­7, Banff, Alberta. Contact: Canadian Institute of Forestry (780) 422-5587; fax (780) 427-2513.

The Ecology and Management of Dead Wood in Western Forests. November 2­4, Reno, NV. Contact: Bill Hull (510) 465-4962; e-mail: whull@cgdb.org; website: http://tws_west.org.

Fall Educational Seminar for Nonindustrial Private Forest Landowners and Advisers. November 6, Eatonville, WA. Contact: Conference assistant (206) 543-0867; fax (206) 685-0790; website: http://www.cfr.washington.edu/outreach.

MSU Extension Forestry is offering a Mini College at the University of Montana Campus. The $15.00 mini-college offers attendees five sessions from 11 different courses. Each session is 70 minutes in length, starting at 8:30 a.m. till 4 p.m. on October 16, 1999. (406)243-2773. This course is not pre-certified - attendee must apply through SAF for credits.

Please note the change in mailing and e-mail address for the newsletter

I encourage any member with information they wish to see included sending it to me by the 15^th of month prior to distribution. Distribution dates are January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1.

I appreciate any information on upcoming events that would interest local and non-local members to participate. I also would like to include updates on members of SAF. Please send me information as you find it - I pigeonhole all kinds of information for inclusion.

This newsletter is distributed to over 450 members throughout Montana, Canada and beyond. With the inclusion of UofM student members, the Montana Forester is mailed to Alaska, Idaho, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Oregon and Virginia.

Again, the Montana Forester is seeking advertisers to help support the publication and distribution costs of the newsletter. Supporting the Montana Forester is a larger percentage of the State SAF’s annual budget. Anyone wishing to advertise in the Montana Forester is encouraged to contact me. I will gladly discuss with you the ability to take your ads. Advertising rates will be as follows: full spread $100; 1/2 page spread $60; 1/4 page spread $40, and business cards $25. Advertising is not limited to SAF members. Ads must be print-ready or electronic on a .jpg file.

Any comments, suggestions or contributions can be sent to faulkner@libby.org or to me at P.O. Box 530, Libby, MT 59923, (406) 293-3899.

Thank you.

Catherine Faulkner, editor

The Newsletter of the Montana Society of American Foresters

Inside this Edition:

Edward G. Lieser

Work: (406) 863-5436

Home: (406) 862-7295

1234@digisys.net

CHAIR-ELECT

Gordon Sanders

4885 Lower Miller Cr Rd

Missoula, MT 59803

Home: (406)251-4413

Work: (406)677-2201

SEC/TREAS

Bryan Donner

Work: (406)863-5408

Home: (406) 892-3214

lbdon@digisys.net

PAST CHAIR/AWARDS

Francis T. Cuff

Work: (406) 293-6209

Home: (406) 293-4973

fcuff@plumcreek.com

LIBBY CHAPTER

Francis T. Cuff

Work: (406) 293-6209

Home: (406) 293-4973

fcuff@plumcreek.com

EASTSIDE CHAPTER

James Mountjoy

P.O. Box 16045

Missoula, MT 59808

Work: (406)626-5295

Home (406)543-1906

FLATHEAD CHAPTER

Debora Manley

524 Eckleberry

Columbia Falls, MT 59912

Work: (406) 387-3800

Home: (406) 892-0802

manley@digisys.net

MISSOULA CHAPTER

Carl Fiedler

UofM School of Forestry

Missoula, MT 58912

Work: (406) 243-5602

Home (406)549-1863

fiedler@forestry.umt.edu

STUDENT CHAPTER

Michelle Landuyt

1402 S. 2nd W Apt D

Missoula, MT 59801

Work: (406) 524-8987

Home (406) 243-3598

goofie@mssl.uswest.net

FOREST SCIENCE & TECH. COORD

Ward McCaughey

Work: (406) 994-4852

Home: (406) 994-5036

Ken Brewer

Work: (406) 329-3112

kbrewre/r1@fs.fed.us

CFE CONTACT

Dale Kerkvliet

Work: (406) 542-3277

Home: (406) 251-6508

dkerkvli@plumcreek.com

POLICY CHAIR

Tim Love

Work: (406) 677-3905

Home: (406) 667-3767

tlove/rl_lolo@fs.fed.us

CULTURAL DIVERSITY / MEMBERSHIP

Rebecca Hendrix

Work: (406) 721-2419

Home: (406) 752-8264

rhendrix@plumcreek.com

NEWSLETTER

Cait Faulkner

Home (406) 293-3899

Work (406) 293-6204

faulkner@libby.org

COUNCIL REP. (DISTRICT IV)

Tom Thompson

Work: (303) 275-5452

Home: (303) 933-2135

NAT.RES. YOUTH CAMP

Wayne Maahs

Work: (406 293-6206

wmaahs@plumcreek.com

MENTOR PROGRAM

Glenn Koepke

Work: (406) 822-3941

Home: (406) 649-2692

PROJECT LEARNING TREE

Bob Gibson

Home: (406) 587-4327

MONTANA SAF HOMEPAGE

http://www.forestry.umt.edu/saf

Sherri McWilliams

University of Montana -- School of Forestry

Work: (406) 243-2449

Fax: (406) 243-4845

sherri@forestry.umt.edu

STATE SOCIETY SUPPORT MANAGER @ NATIONAL OFFICE

Louise Murgia

Work: (301) 897-8720 ext. 118

Fax: (301) 897-3690

murgia@safnet.org

NATIONAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY DIRECTOR

Danny Pittman

Work: (406) 443-1702

from@initco.net

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

Melissa Squire

Home: (406) 721-5119

squire24@selway.umt.edu

CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE:

Lorin Hearst

(406) 543-5843

Gary Brown

(406) 728-6049

Ed Heilman

(406) 728-7377

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Greg Schildwachter

ifia@marsweb.com

Jim Hertel

(406)452-8849

Jamie Brebner

Work: (406) 293-6208

Fax: (406) 293-3354

jbrebner@plumcreek.com