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Select Stories from Forests & People - June 2010
Trees add green for Kiwanis Club
The Alexandria Kiwanis Camp has benefited from the forests surrounding the campgrounds
The Outdoor Experience
Buddy and Julia Hawkins lived a true outdoor experience in the middle of Baton Rouge and that has made all the difference in the world.
Pellet mill underway at Port of Baton Rouge
Point BioEnergy will make wood pellets for shipment and sale to European markets, all using Louisiana wood.
Opinion: Fire in the Woods!
Because of budget cuts, the Office of Forestry has half the fire fighting personnel it had just a few years ago.
Column by Buck Vandersteen
Family forest landowners can really benefit from the Tree Farm program. |
Forestry helps Alexandria Kiwanis camp
By Melanie Torbett
Many private landowners in Louisiana have discovered the financial and aesthetic rewards of owning and managing tree farms.
Similarly, members of an Alexandria civic club have derived considerable benefits from forestland; the difference is that their investment has helped them fulfill a philanthropic mission of service to the community’s youth.
The Kiwanis Club of Alexandria owns a 145- acre tract of land near U.S. Hwy 71 in northern Rapides Parish that for decades has been a valuable resource for both recreation and profit.
“What we have here is very unique,” said Charnia Cheatwood. He’s a past president of the club and has been a member since the 1970s— long enough to witness how “Camp Kiwanis” has benefited the organization in myriad ways.
He and other members of the club had gathered on a warm spring Saturday to groom the property for an upcoming crawfish boil fundraiser that was to be followed a few weeks later by a kids’ fishing day. The buzz of weed-eaters was the only intrusion this day in a pastoral setting of blooming azaleas, sparkling waters of the camp’s 30-acre lake and towering pines and hardwoods.
“This is a jewel out here,” agreed club members Barett Byrd and Kevin Cavell, surveying the scene. The value of this gem can be found not only in the opportunities for fishing, canoeing and other outdoor activities for all ages, but also in the revenues the property continues to produce from timber harvests and facility rentals.
It was 64 years ago when the local Kiwanis club decided to invest in this site. Their venture into timberland ownership got its start back in 1946, when they bought 40 acres here – described in the club’s history book as the former “Chicapoo Park”— for less than $3,000. The club’s intention was to use it for a boys’ summer camp they had been operating since 1942 on Boy Scouts’ property elsewhere. Members proceeded to build a dormitory, dining hall and kitchen, drilled water wells and reconditioned an existing swimming pool on the site. A building from Camp Livingston (World War II Army camp that was located in Rapides Parish) was also purchased and moved to the property.
About three years later, an adjacent 40 acres that had been used as a cattle and dairy farm were purchased by the club. More tracts were added over the years, a dam was constructed to create a small lake and additional structures and improvements were added.
A two-week summer camp for underprivileged boys was the initial focus of the camp, but other youth groups, churches and service organizations (including Kiwanis-affiliated high school Key Clubs and college Circle K Clubs) used the facility as well. An article published in the Kiwanis Review Magazine in 1955 reported that “All Kiwanians have made the camp one of their pet projects. Facilities have been made available to give some children the only taste of camp life they may ever experience…. Here supervised play and invaluable instruction in outdoor craft and citizenship help prepare them for a more productive life…”
The club’s written history tells the story that it was in 1958 when club members got their land designated as a tree farm, “which has been a big success and a very welcome source of revenue to our club.” There is a photo of Kiwanians in January 1958 with “two forestry men” and tree planting equipment at the club camp, and scores of local Boy Scouts were deployed to plant seedlings on the property over several years.
A selective harvest in 1959, “under the watchful eye of Jim Leachman, forester with International Paper Com-pany…reaped $4,000 from this timber and pulpwood sale,” notes the club’s historical narrative.
By the mid-1960s, the Kiwanis Camp was being used by as many as 60 different groups annually, with nearly 8,000 people participating in a range of activities at the site, from church retreats to leadership training, even including a rehabilitation program for Central State Hospital patients.
Periodic timber sales continued to produce much-needed financial support over the years; highway construction that sliced through the club’s property in the 1980s resulted in some land sales and purchases that netted the club additional funds that were dedicated to ongoing maintenance and capital improvements. (The largest timber sale was in 1995 when Brian Duke was club president, through a landowner assistance program formerly operated by International Paper Company.)
“I do not know of any other Kiwanis Club that has an asset quite like this,” said Greg Beard, a Kiwanian and club president in 2007-08 when the last timber harvest process began. That harvest cut of about 14 acres of mature loblolly pine produced gross revenues of about $55,000 with complete re-seeding of all cut acres. “Revenue from timber allows us to maintain and improve our camp.” Beard added.
“When we harvested the timber, they left a nice fringe of trees along the edges, so you don’t easily see the harvested area,” noted Dr. James A. White, another past president and active member.
Reforestation (hand planted loblolly pine seedlings) of this recently-cut tract was accomplished this past February, ensuring a continuum of this renewable resource. Alexandria consulting forester Donald Baker has worked with the club on its timber management program for the past four years.
It is advantageous, he explained, that the property has three different age classes of trees: old growth (60-plus years), 13 to 14-year-old growth, and newly-planted trees. That indicates the careful stewardship and planning of past and present Kiwanis club members, Baker said.
“I admire the club for its forward thinking, and for using professional assistance over the years.”
“Without a doubt, no other civic club has been blessed with the foresight of its predecessors like we have enjoyed,” said Robert Ratcliff, current club president. “This visionary investment means that long after the current members are gone, the Kiwanis Club of Alexandria, aided by its community-focused mission and camp, will be making a difference to our children and to our community.”
Today, the Kiwanis Club continues its focus on youth service. Though the summer camp that initially compelled the club to purchase its campgrounds is no longer in operation, club members now host a “Terrific Kids” program for elementary school children. As part of that effort, small groups of children are invited out each spring for a day of fishing supervised by club members, games and lunch.
In addition, Circle K groups from throughout the region use the facility for leadership training sessions. Rentals to service clubs, churches, social service organizations and private events also keep Kiwanis Camp a beehive of activity, especially during the spring and summer months.
For the future, tentative plans are for the club to develop an interpretive nature walk along the lake, assess the lake’s fish stock and update or replace some existing buildings on the grounds.
Club members agree that wise management of this property and its abundant natural resources has enabled them to continue the legacy of service begun decades ago by their predecessors.
“We love the camp and are very proud of it,” concluded Cheatwood.
(Melanie Torbett is a writer and regular contributor to Forests & People magazine. She is also a member of the American Tree Farm Program.)
The Outdoor Experience
By Janet Tompkins
Murray and Julia Hawkins of Baton Rouge were married by telephone at the onset of World War II, but for the next 68 years their connections have been more down to earth. They live in the home they built themselves in University Acres, with more than 50 varieties of trees they’ve planted in their yard and with the creative wooden touches that fill their lives.
Murray “Buddy” Hawkins, retired head of the LSU Department of Petroleum Engineering, said with a smile, that building the house was “a foolish venture but we survived it.” They recall the oil well pipes holding up the roof as they worked on the project. But what a home it made with wood paneled walls and cypress
beams from the Ponchatoula sawmill and large French doors and windows that stay open most of the time. The recent addition of an air conditioner is used rarely.
“To this day, my parents eat three meals a day outside most days,” said their daughter Margaret Matens, who lives in Tennessee. Julia, at age 94, rides her bike three miles a day but her husband, 93, is on hiatus now as he recuperates from a broken hip.
Julia has won gold medals in the Senior Olympics, but the more precious trophies throughout the house seem to be creative works--illustrations, wood carvings, original books and stories from family and friends. There is a box with a piece of a meteorite and a shark’s tooth.
There are federal programs to get American kids outdoors but the Hawkins lifestyle could be a model that requires no coercion to experience something other than television or video games.
“We grew up without TV or comic books,” Margaret said. “Every kid in the neighborhood wanted to be at the Hawkins house.” There was pole vaulting and a rope swing and a log to walk along.
Julia explained how all the elements of the yard came together. To solve a drainage problem, Murray concocted a stream through the yard and then the two added four wooden bridges. Irises, ferns and driftwood were added along the way as well as a large sugar kettle.
The “Billy Goats Gruff” from the children’s book were added and the children made wooden trolls, one from a cypress knee, another carved from wood and others using wire and papier mache, all stationed at the bridge entry points.
Julia gives a tour of the yard calling out not only the botanical names but also showing the best climbing tree or hiding places.
Shortleaf, spruce and slash pine are there along with live oak, water oak, redbay, magnolia and a magnificent beech tree that was the best for climbing. A bare corner is testimony to the damage from Hurricanes Katrina and Gustav that took out several large trees.
“It all kind of evolved,” Julia said of her home and yard. She admits that her childhood growing up in the hotel that her father ran made her yearn for all the trappings of a homeplace. Her experience as a counselor at girl’s summer camp and a teacher of fifth and sixth graders gave her the interest in the myriad outdoor activities that she introduced to her children.
“We were so excited to get them to read and do interesting things,” said Julia. A reading of The Egg Tree by Katherine Milhous began the tradition of bringing a tree or large branch into the den to be decorated with Pysanky eggs each spring. “It caused lots of people to have egg trees,” said Julia.
Animals abounded at their home.They had snakes, an alligator and for a time, even a monkey.
When Julia was pregnant with their first child, they found a hickory tree blown down. Murray used it to make a rocking horse so big it would seat three children. That heirloom is not at home today. It has since been passed down to grandchildren.
“We took a river trip down the Tangipahoa to Lake Pontchatrain,” Julia said, “and we invited Margaret Stone, author of Wildflowers of Louisiana.” They formed a friendship that added more outdoor interest for the Hawkins.
“Highland Elementary School was right there and we always had students collecting leaves,” said Margaret. “We had more Boy Scout groups and school children for projects.”
Margaret said her life as a writer, illustrator, wildlife rehabilitator and summer counselor at a girls camp is because of those childhood experiences. Her siblings include a landscape architect who is also a serious woodworker, a civil engineer, a petroleum engineer and geologist and a mother who homeschools her children.
“They created a culture of being different,” said Margaret. “As children we could actually think about what we could be doing positively.”
Her father may have been in academia most of his career but he started in the oil fields first as a roughneck and rousta-bout. Both Julia and Murray had a hands-on style to learning.
The active outdoor life, with their minds fully engaged, is the Hawkins model. For a mostly sedentary America, maybe it’s time to open a window....
(Janet Tompkins is editor of Forests & People.)
Pellet mill underway at Port of Baton Rouge
Construction on Louisiana’s first pellet mill begins this month and will be completed by the summer of 2011, according to officials of Point Bio Energy.
Gov. Bobby Jindal joined Point Bio Energy CEO Bill New, Port of Greater Baton Rouge Executive Director Jay Hardman, and Baton Rouge Area Chamber President Adam Knapp to announce that Point Bio Energy will locate a new manufacturing facility at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge.
The new facility will produce wood pellets for fuel generation, creating up to 100 new direct jobs and 273 new indirect jobs, and representing more than $100 million in capital investment. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will also generate $12.9 million in new, state tax revenue and $9.6 million in new, local tax revenue over the next 10 years.
“After conducting a national search, Point Bio Energy selected Louisiana as the site for their new manufacturing facility, which will continue our strong economic momentum and, more importantly, create job opportunities for our people so they can pursue their dreams right here at home,” said Gov. Jindal. “Point Bio Energy’s facility will produce a value-added, environmentally friendly product, and this announcement is an excellent example of a traditional Louisiana industry showing an ability to adapt and remain competitive in today’s marketplace.”
“Point Bio Energy is extremely proud to be developing its operations in the Capital Region,” said New. “The wood pellet production sector is seeing unprecedented levels of growth, and our facility positions the port, the region and the state to be a major benefactor in reaping the benefits of that growth. We want to thank everyone who made this a reality, especially BRAC, the port and the surrounding community.”
Construction will begin in the summer of 2010, with product deliveries scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2011. Point Bio estimates the plant will produce 450,000 metric tons of wood pellets per year. The wood pellet industry has experienced significant growth recently due to a push to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“Our region has a long history of strength in the wood-products sector, and Point Bio Energy represents an exciting opportunity by targeting foreign markets with renewable fuel supplies,” said Knapp.
LED worked with its state and local partners to help secure this project. Point Bio Energy expects to make use of the Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.
The Port of Greater Baton Rouge was selected due to its strategic advantages, officials said. The port has the unique position of being located within a sustainable wood basket providing Point Bio Energy an opportunity to transport wood supplies to its facility at a lower price point than its competitors.
“This is one of the biggest projects for the port in recent years, and the first green industry to locate within our facilities,” said Hardman. “It is an innovative project that will provide a tremendous benefit to the forest products industry, which is so important to our state’s economy, and we like the fact that they will be drawing from a sustainable energy source.”
New said the mill will need 100 log trucks per day making deliveries to the port. The pelletizer machine is in the large Transit Building that opens to the river for offloading straight into the vessels.
The pellets will go to Hamburg and Rotterdam to supplement coal plants there. Europe has mandates in place that require a percentage of alternative fuels to be used to reduce greenhouse gases.
“When we get the opportunity, we will expand right here,” said New during the announcement.”It is feasible to double the size of this plant.”
Fire in the Woods!
On a crisp fall Saturday morning, about five years ago, the phone rang. A shrill, panicked voice stated, “Mr. Ramsey, this is Mrs. Fontenot, there’s fire in the woods on the company’s land next to mine headed for my house. What are you going to do about it?” I told her I would call the Office of Forestry, and if no one had arrived in 30 minutes or so to call back.
I called the supervisor in her area. He said the pilot had reported the fire and a crew was enroute. He called in about an hour saying the fire was out and had been contained on company land. Mrs. Fontenot was safe and appreciative. The Enforcement Division Agent called later in the day to report they were questioning a suspect in the case.
This same “Mrs. Fontenot” scenario has played out many times through the years, most with positive outcomes. With budget cuts on top of budget cuts, restructuring, hiring freezes and basic neglect of the mission of the Office of Forestry by elected officials, I am sure positive outcomes will dwindle.
In the first week of September 2000, fire danger conditions were about as bad as they get in Southwest Louisiana. Temperatures above 100 degrees, humidity in the 25% range, extended drought, and an unusual northeast wind set the stage for disaster.
Arsonists set fires in several locations east of Oakdale in Allen and Evangeline Parishes. In four day,s four fires consumed over 17,000 acres of forestland, destroyed three homes and six camps, threatened over 30 homes and numerous other structures, and placed many fire fighters lives in harm’s way. Fortunately, no lives were lost.
Two people died in East Texas that same week in wild fires. It could happen here.
Fourteen fire plow crews as well as aircraft fought the fire nonstop for four days. Personnel and equipment were provided by the Office of Forestry, private industry, National Guard and USDA Forest Service. The fire was so intense it crossed several parish roads and eventually US Highway 165 north of Oberlin.
Fast forward to the present. If this fire occurred today under the same conditions it would surely cover a much larger area and have much more devastating results. If the fire location was along the Interstate 12 corridor between Baton Rouge and Slidell we would be reading about numerous homes and businesses destroyed and lives lost.
The reasoning behind this gloomy prediction comes from several current conditions. Fire fighting resources are less than half of what they were 10 years ago. Many more people live in wildland/urban interface areas such as the numerous subdivisions along Interstate 12. Many of these subdivisions are bordered or surrounded by forests in which fire has been excluded for years.
The volatile fuel loads in these areas are much greater than they have ever been. Because of budget cuts, the Office of Forestry has half the fire fighting personnel it had just a few years ago. Half of the aircraft used to detect fires have been sold. The few that are left fly much larger areas and have flight time restrictions.
Industrial cooperators can no longer be counted on to assist because most no longer have fire fighting assets. Response time for arrival at a fire has nearly doubled which allows fires to grow out of control more often. Federal resources are not available for immediate, short term response.
The only solution to this potentially disastrous situation is to fully fund the budgetary needs of the Office of Forestry.
The legislative and executive branches of our state government have chosen to ignore the need to adequately protect the rural and suburban citizens of Louisiana from wild fire.
They fail to acknowledge that this is not a Public Service issue, but rather a Public Safety issue. The State Forester, head of the Office of Forestry, needs to get a personal audience with the Governor to discuss the problem.
The dedicated, hard working employees of the Office of Forestry are willing to put themselves in harm’s way to protect the lives and property of our citizens. They need to be adequately staffed and funded.
State Representative, State Senator, Mr. Governor; there’s fire in the woods in Louisiana, on your watch, what are you going to do about it?
(George Ramsey, CF, is senior forester for Crowell Lumber Industries in Long Leaf, La. He has over 30 years of forestry experience in Louisiana.)
Tree Farm has benefits for family forest landowners
There are more than 100,000 family forest landowners in Louisiana. Many of these landowners don’t value forest certification much less understand how it works or if it could benefit them.
The Tree Farm Program began in Louisiana in 1951and has grown to over 2200 landowners with 1.6 million acres in 2010. It is the oldest forest certification program in North America. It started as a way to recognize those landowners that managed and protected their land and produced valuable timber resources to a growing forest industry.
Customers to the forest products industry want to know if the lumber, paper, and other wood products they purchase come from “sustainably managed forests.” Many industries have divested themselves of their lands so now must rely completely on the landowners to produce sustainably managed raw material. Forest certification programs like the Tree Farm Program help make this happen.
The role the private landowner plays in the success of the $4 billion forest products industry in Louisiana has never been greater. To take full advantage of this opportunity, the forest landowner can have their lands certified as sustainably managed through numerous forest certification programs like the Sustainable Forestry Initiative or the Forest Stewardship Council. These programs are costly to the family forest landowner and a better alternative is desired. The Tree Farm program offers the landowner a better choice.
Participation in the Tree Farm Program begins with a forest management plan. A plan can be simple enough to cover the objectives of the landowner, an assessment of the health of the forest, desired outcomes, and an awareness of the unique qualities of the property.
Landowners can get assistance in preparing an acceptable plan that is relevant to the size of their property. The management plan should not intimidate people from belonging to the program but often seems to be a major hurdle.
Louisiana Office of Forestry personnel assist landowners in preparing the Department’s Forest Stewardship Program plan that is completely compatible with the Tree Farm Program. Forest consultants are a great resource for the landowner as well as foresters working for forest product companies.
The Tree Farm Program is recognized world-wide for its commitment to certifying family forests as sustainably managed woodlands. The European Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, the small woodlands owner’s association in Europe, has endorsed the Tree Farm Program, making Tree Farm wood products acceptable around the world.
Cost to the landowner joining the Tree Farm Program depends on how much the landowner has already done in managing their forest and getting their records straight. The only cost attributed directly to membership in the program is belonging to the Louisiana Tree Farm Committee/ Louisiana Forestry Associa-tion. Tree Farm signs and some other optional material add up to no more than you would pay for a nice meal.
The benefit to the landowner is the premium the forest products industry places on your forest resources over those that don’t have the Tree Farm designation. The premium is not more dollars necessarily, but preference in purchasing your wood over others without certification.
Another benefit is the recognition that belonging to the program has over those that have nothing to show for the time and energy they spend on their woodlands.
The Tree Farm Program is managed by the Louisiana Forestry Association and we invite you to come see how the program can benefit you. For more information check our website at www.laforestry.com.