A GREAT KT-SAF WINTER MEETING

We had a great winter meeting at Pine Mountain, KY, and the program on Forest Certification was well received by the nearly 100 foresters in attendance. Jeff Stringer, who presided as outgoing Chair of our KT-SAF, did an outstanding job during the entire meeting, as did all of the committee members involved in putting on a great event!

It was wonderful to not only see 100 foresters together, but to witness the mix of all ages of foresters. About 3 dozen forestry students participated in the meeting, coming from UK, UT, and the University of the South. A host of retired foresters were also present. Four foresters were recognized for being 50 year members of SAF. Congratulations to James Crook, Billy Dingus, Glen Smalley, and Richard Wengert for their long-standing professional commitment and service to SAF!

The KT-SAF was pleased to have our SAF council representative, Tim French, attend our meeting. Tim informed the members of the core values being developed by SAF. These are values that would be embraced by all members. All members are strongly urged to provide their input into the refinement of these core values. He also encouraged us to submit a candidate for the national field forester award (see details on core values and field forester award elsewhere in this newsletter).

I am delighted that all chair positions of the various committees within the KT-SAF competent and energetic folks. On behalf of Laurie Smith, Secretary, Gerald Crow, Treasurer, and Red Anderson, Chair-elect, I would like to take this opportunity to thank each of them for their willingness to serve.

And while accolades are being passed out, a BIG thanks and appreciation are sent to Mark Young. He is the man that is doing a fantastic job as master of our KT-SAF website. If you have not as yet made use of this site, you need to do it soon. It has a wealth of information waiting for you to tap into. Just log on to your Internet provider and type in www.ktsaf.org.

A final comment. We all realize, although sometimes we tend to forget, that there are many benefits of belonging to the society that promotes our profession. As SAF members, let's do all that we can to convince other foresters not now SAF members, that we need them, and they need us. Let's sponsor their membership in the Society of American Foresters. See you in Paducah!!

Gary Schneider

Chair, KT-SAF

Council adopted the following draft core values for forestry on December 8, 2001. Now it is the membership's job to review and comment on them.

1. Forests are a fundamental source of global health and human welfare.

2. Forests must be sustained to enhance long-term human well-being through simultaneously meeting environmental, economic, and community aspirations and needs.

3. Sound forest management, regardless of ownership, forest type, or purpose, can only be attained through applying knowledge based on science and practical experience within the context of appropriate public policy.

4. Professional foresters serve society through shared values, specialized knowledge, personal integrity, ethical behavior, accountability, and respect for individuals.

Starting in 2003, applicants seeking designation as an SAF Certified Forester® will be required to take an exam. If you want to become an SAF Certified Forester® without taking an exam, apply now (during 2002). You can get the CF® requirements, procedures and application on the SAF website (www.safnet.org) under Education, or by contacting Pat Cillay at (301) 897-8720, ext. 122, or cillayp@safnet.org.

EMAIL-NOT

You may be reading this item to learn about virtual defects. [If that went over your head, stand up and read it again.] However, it is a request that all KTSAF members who do not have email let me know who they are (send a letter or post card to John Rennie, UT Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, Knoxville, TN 37996-4563.) In an attempt to keep members better informed, the newsletter has gotten bigger; at the same time, the budget for it has remained the same. In the near future, the newsletter will probably be sent by email to everyone who does not indicate they need a hard copy. Now is the time to mail me your address if you need the newsletter by mail.

KT SAF Fifty - Year members Golden Award Certificate

James D. Crook

Billy J. Dingus

Glendon W. Smalley

Richard H. Wengert

Outstanding Forestry Student Awards

University of the South- Bradford Jerome Ostrom

The University of Kentucky - Stephen Rogers

The University of Tennessee - Robert Sitzler

East Kentucky - Ron Taylor

West Kentucky - Pam Snyder

East Tennessee - Matt Bennett

Southeast Tennessee - Jeff Piatt

Middle Tennessee - Joshua Idassi

West Tennessee - David Mercker

Patrick Cleary

It is appropriate that SAF recognize those members of our profession who actively practice professional forestry in the field. Practitioners are the true foundation of our profession, yet we do not have any national recognition for the outstanding efforts and the accomplishments of this large segment of our Society. Practitioners often operate in nearly complete anonymity, yet their actions are the single most important contribution to the viability and understanding of our profession. This is where forestry truly happens and it is important that we recognize those who perform the art and science of forestry each and every day.

There is a large number of field foresters who should be recognized for their talent and accomplishments. These deserving individuals can be found in all regions of the U.S. Using presidential prerogative, 11 members -- one from each of the eleven SAF districts -- will be selected to receive an outstanding field forester achievement award in 2002. This will assure that each region of the U.S. will be able to recognize an outstanding field forester.

David Wm. Smith

President, SAF

The purpose of this award is to recognize foresters who have dedicated their professional careers to the application of forestry on the ground using sound, scientific methods and adaptive management strategies. The 2002 Presidential Field Forester Awards will be presented to individuals who have displayed uncommon talent, skill, and innovative methods to achieved a record of excellence in the application of forest management.

Due to regional differences in both application intensity and regulations affecting forestry operations, the award recipients will be selected on a regional basis. Using the existing organizational structure, each Council member will be asked to select and/or endorse an outstanding field forester from the District they represent. The Council person can use the state society chairs to nominate candidates and from those nominations select a nominee for recognition, or use any other process that would select a worthy candidate based on the selection criteria.

Must be a member of SAF

Must have practiced forestry for at least 10 years

Major portion of career must be in field application of forestry

Must be recognized locally or regionally by peers for excellence in field application of forestry

Understands the forest and uses science along with the adaptive management process to achieve landowner objectives and insure forest sustainability.

Management intensity may range from very intensive applications to more extensive management regimes

May be from any employment sector

Individuals recognized for the Field Forester Achievement Award will be announced and recognized at the 2002 annual convention during the awards ceremony. Recognition will consist of a plaque. There will be no support for the recipients to attend the convention to receive their award, but each would be encouraged to attend.

Timeline for Selection

All nominations to select a KT-SAF 2002 Field Forester Achievement regional winner must be into Pam Snyder, KT SAF Awards Chairmen, 250 Hunter Ridge Rd., Lawrenceburg, KY 40342 by April 30, 2002. The KT-SAF 2002 Field Forester Regional recipient's name will be submitted to Tim French by May 15, 2002. Selection will be finalized and forwarded to the national office by June 15 along with each recipient's biographical information, a b/w photo and the nomination letter with reasons for selection.

Recipients will be notified by August 1 to have adequate time to make plans to attend the convention for the ceremony

The SAF membership category of fellow is for professional members who have demonstrated (1) strong continuing commitment through direct SAF volunteer activities, and (2) exemplary action, sustained leadership, and advancement of the forestry profession at the local, regional, national, or international level in at least one of the following areas: (a) application of forestry, (b) education, (c) research, (d) technology transfer.

To become a fellow, a member must be nominated by 25 professional members and affirmed by 2/3 of the members in her or his state society. Forms for nominating a member for fellow are on the KTSAF website (www.ktsaf.org), or are available from John Rennie (UT Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheies, Knoxville, TN 37996-4563; 865-974-7126) for those who do not have access to the Internet.

MEETINGS

KTSAF Summer Meeting

Meeting dates: July 24-26.

Location: Drury Suites, Paducah, KY, Reservation number: 270-441-0024. Mention the Society of American Foresters meeting.

Room cost: $72.00 plus tax, includes free breakfast and manager's reception in the evening (snacks, drinks, beer, wine).

July 25 leave Motel at 7:30 AM for tour of MeadWestvaco fiber farm and Island # 3 (located in Missouri-approximately 1 ½ hour drive). MeadWestvaco providing transportation for the day plus a box lunch.

July 26 at 8:00 AM Business meeting.

We will visit the MeadWestvaco Fiber Farm and Island # 3 properties. The Fiber Farm is in its seventh growing season and the farm has six years of plantings. The farm uses a process called "fertigation" which is liquid fertilizer in water fed to the trees through tubing. Goal is to produce trees 8 inches in diameter at 80 feet in height in seven years yielding 100 tons per acre. The company's island properties are in the third rotation of ten years for the cottonwood plantations. Plantations reach heights of 120 feet and exceed 100 plus tons per acre. This is intensive hardwood plantation forestry and it has incorporated wildlife management into the system.

KTSAF Winter Meeting

Hosted by the SE Tn Chapter. Tentatively, January 29-31, 2003, in either Chattanooga or Monteagle. "Forestry Laws and Regulations Now and in the Future"

SE TN SAF Chapter meeting March 13, 2002. A specialized thinning operation by Evergreen Inc., Tom Donagan owner/operator, Charleston TN. Contact Diana Gennett for details.

A logging show is set for April 19 and 20 in Jackson, TN.

Contact David Mercker, West Tn Chair, for details of these events. (731-425-4703 or dcmercker@utk.edu).

This workshop is designed for professional foresters in Kentucky and Tennessee. The aim is to provide hands-on training and new information on silvicultural techniques for the sustainable management of hardwood forests in the region.

Location: Robinson Forest, Jackson, KY

CFE Credit: 14 hours of approved SAF CFE

Topics:

Crop Tree Release: hands-on training and new information on effectiveness and implementation of crown touching release

Site Preparation and Pre-Commercial Treatments: economic analysis of operations and techniques

Predicting Natural Regeneration Response: hands-on training on the use of the new Southern Appalachian Mixed Species Model

Enhancement of Oak Regeneration: mid-story removal, litter reduction, and two-age management

Dr. Wayne Clatterbuck, University of Tennessee, Forest Mgmt. Extension Specialist

Dr. Gary Miller, USFS Research Forester, Morgantown, WV

Dr. Jeff Stringer, University of Kentucky, Hardwood Silviculture Extension Specialist

Contact Jeff Stringer at stringer@uky.edu. Registration application will be e-mailed to you and must be submitted along with registration fee by March 15, 2002. Workshop will be limited to first 25 foresters registering.

Central Hardwood Forest Conference

April 1-3, 2002 in Champaign -Urbana, Illinois. See website:

http://nautilus.outreach.uiuc.edu/conted/ for program and registration.

USDA Forest Service, NCRS

202 Natural Resources Bldg., UMC, Columbia, MO 65211 -7260. 573-875-5341 Ext. 233, FAX 573-882-1977

Thirty-seven percent (35 out of 98) of those attending the KTSAF winter meeting were students. An optimist would say that was a lot of students. A pessimist would say that was a low overall attendance.

KTSAF WEBSITE

The newsletter is limited in space for general forestry news and only comes out four times a year. See the KTSAF website (www.ktsaf.org) for current news like the merger of Mead and Westvaco, and SFI certification of MeadWestvaco lands at Wickliffe, KY. Access the members only section with user name ktsaf and password pinchot (both lowercase).

James H. Hill, 77, Athens, Tn, Dec. 8, 2001. Jim was a native of Roswell, Ga, a graduate of UGa, and a WWII veteran (U.S.Navy). He worked for Hiwassee Land Co. from 1955 until he retired as forestry relations superintendent in 1991. He was a strong support of forestry, an SAF fellow, and past-president of both the Tennessee Forestry Association and the Tennessee Conservation League.

The KTSAF MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND provides an annual scholarship award to the undergraduate forestry student from the University of Tennessee, University of Kentucky and the University of the South. Scholarship awards are based on: (1) a grade point average of 3.00 or above, (2) demonstrates leadership and also actively promotes the profession of forestry, and (3) is selected by faculty members (who are SAF members) from each university.

Contributions to the Memorial Scholarship Fund are accepted at any time. Contact the committee chair:

The University of Tennessee

Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries

Knoxville, TN 37996-4563

Voice: 865-974-7346

E-mail: wclatterbuck@utk.edu

West Tennessee Chapter

1) On October 23, the West Tennessee chapter met with chainsaws in hand to thin a bottomland sapling plantation located on the University of Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station in Jackson. Three thinning approaches were implemented: crop tree release, thinning from below and row thinning. The site will become a demonstration area for private landowner education. Species included green ash, sweetgum and loblolly pine.

Current UK Student SAF Chapter Officers

President: Stephen Rogers sar9570@hotmail.com

Vice President: Doug Schwemlein

Secretary: Brandon Smith

Treasurer: Ariel Sewell

Advisor: Dr. Chuck Rhoades

The SE Tn chapter met Dec. 12, 2001 at East Brainerd Lumber Co., Inc. in Chattanooga, TN. Jay Kinser gave us a tour of his business, which has been in his family for three generations. Scotty Guffey made all the arrangements.

Cost-share assistance for SAF dues (new or reinstated members; student exempt) is still available at $32.50 each.

Contact David Mercker at

731-425-4703, or dcmercker@utk.edu.

The University of Kentucky, Department of Forestry is currently undergoing a number of changes primarily in two areas, personnel and the Robinson Forest Initiative. Don Graves, department chair for the last several years and long-time extension faculty, will step down in his chair role at the end of the calendar year. However, Don will be staying on the faculty to oversee the loose-mine spoil reforestation projects. Currently the plans are to initiate a national search for a new chair with a potential start date at the beginning of 2003. Due to recent retirements and resignations, the department currently has 6 vacant faculty positions. Searches for two (hydrology and forest management) are currently underway. The remaining 4 positions will be filled once the new chair is in place.

Both faculty and extension associate positions and programs were established using these funds. Due to the economy there is a shortfall in the income from the funds and the department of forestry has had to absorb some of these shortfalls. While the college administration is assisting with some of this shortfall there will ultimately be a loss of some extension associate positions, particularly those lines were we currently have vacancies.

The end result will be that we will lose some of the program lines that we had initiated 4 to 5 years ago. However, the basic functioning of the department is still intact and some areas are growing. With the new faculty hires and a final resolution to the Robinson Forest Initiative funds we will be able to start moving forward especially in the areas of defining new program lines and faculty positions that will allow us to be effective in our land grant mission.

UT DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY, WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES NEWS

The big news from Knoxville is that on December 10, 2001, the department received approval for the Ph.D. in Natural Resources. There are now 12 students enrolled in the program.

After a number of decades the UT Institute of Agriculture is discontinuing use of a PO Box. The new address for UT-FWF is:

The University of Tennessee

Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries

Knoxville, TN 37996-4563

KT SAF NATIONAL FOREST TASK FORCE

This task force was formed at the winter meeting to assist the policy committee with developing an SAF policy statement on the forest plans being developed by the Daniel Boone and Cherokee National Forests. The goal is to produce a draft policy statement by this summer. The new national SAF policy statement on national forest timber harvesting will be used, along with input from Michael Goergen (policy specialist at the national office), and others. The policy statement will promote the use of active management to maintain forest health and sustainable use and will highlight the current stresses and anthropogenic pressures on the forests that can only be handled through active management and the use of well planned forest operations. The following individuals are on the task force or are members of the policy committee that have agreed to actively participate on the project:

Jeff Stringer - Academic, KY

Rudean Reynolds - Forest Industry, KY

George Hopper - Academic, TN

Don Hodges - Academic, TN

Jerry Crow - Forest Industry, KY

Bob Bauer - Forest Industry, KY

Wayne Clatterbuck - Academic, TN

Kerry Schell - Academic, TN

Richard Evans - Academic, TN

If you would like to actively participate on this task force please notify Jeff Stringer, Chair, KT SAF Policy Committee via email at stringer@uky.edu or call 859-257-5995.

At the winter meeting of the KT SAF, questionnaires were circulated asking for membership responses to two issues; the development of a new KT SAF directory, and national SAF publications. The following are the results from the questionnaires filled out by the 47 members present at the general business meeting.

Options Provided and Results:

1) Produce A Kentucky-Tennessee SAF Address/Phone Book (as done in past): 8%

2) Use National SAF Web Site Membership Directory: 3%

3) Produce a Membership Directory on the KT SAF Web Site: 89%

Several comments were also provided including the request that the membership directory should be "down loadable" A follow-up question was raised: How many members have access to on-line communications? A resulting raise of hands indicated that everyone in the room at the time had the ability to communicate through the Internet.

Options Provided and Tally:

1) I believe that the Journal of Forestry should be continued in its current format (8 issues/yr): 89%.

2) I believe that the Forestry Source and technical journals (northern, southern, and western journals) are sufficient and that the Journal of Forestry be discontinued: 2%

3) I believe that the Journal of Forestry be produced on-line only: 9%.

While I believe that the results of these straw poles are quite clear it is important to remember that the results reflect, in my opinion, the predisposition of fairly involved SAF members and can not be assumed to be shared by less involved SAF members or professional foresters in our region.

Based on these results Mark Young will be looking into developing a KT SAF directory on our web site and I will forward the responses on the national SAF publication question to the national office.

Jeff Stringer

John C. Rennie, Newsletter Editor

Kentucky Tennessee Society of American Foresters

c/o U.T. Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries

Knoxville, TN 37996-4563