Managing for the Future

BY JASON L. JENKINS

Though their individual goals lay have differed, the landowners who formed the Northwest Illinois Forestry Association in 1986 had one thing in common. They wanted to better the quality of their forests, but to accomplish

With the enthusiastic involvement of members like Tom and Keith Arnold, the Northwest Illinois Forestry Association is recognizing the advantages of forest management.

this collective goal, more than just simple membership in the association was required. They needed to learn how to manage their forests.

"A lot of landowners simply don't know how," says NIFA president Tom Arnold. "So we're providing them with the educational and networking opportunities that make it possible."

A strong interest in forestry propelled the Arnolds to become involved with NIFA. From left, Keith, Keith's son, Kyle, and Tom.

Tom and his brother Keith, NIFA's treasurer, have been active in the nonprofit organization since 1988. As a farmer and the owner of a construction/wood products business, respectively, the brothers both own forest land in Jo Daviess County and have always had a strong interest in forestry. Together, their efforts have helped NIFA promote awareness of the benefits of forest management.

Though NIFA is still most active in its original six-county area, today the organization has members statewide. "Our members represent a diversity of forest management interests," says Tom. "For some, the forest is a source of income. For others, it isn't. In either case, we help them to maximize their benefits through management."

In order to satisfy its members' diverse needs, NIFA provides a number of opportunities to learn about forests and what can be done to improve them. During the winter months, the association holds informational sessions. Guest speakers are invited to discuss a variety of forestry-related topics, ranging from disease and pest control to tax strategies for timber owners. Throughout the rest of the year, the group conducts field days, seminars and workshops to demonstrate forest management techniques. NIFA members also take tours of local wood products businesses to examine potential markets.

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By implementing management practices, an overgrown and unproductive forest (above) can change quickly to a forest that produces healthier trees and attracts more wildlife (below).

However, the opportunity to learn about forest management is not the only advantage NIFA offers its members. It also provides them with a network.

"Through the association, several pieces of management equipment have been made available," says Tom. "Members have access to a pruner, a tree planter and a nut planter for direct seeding."

NIFA's network also extends to federal, state and private forestry professionals. Depending on what a landowner wishes to accomplish, the association can direct him or her to the appropriate source of technical assistance necessary to achieve the desired management goals.

"NIFA has made an impact," says DNR District Forester Ralph Eads, who has served as an adviser for NIFA since it began. "People always want to learn more, and the association is showing them how to take care of their woods."

Class is in Session

When it comes to the promotion of forest management, NIFA's dedication does not stop at its members' property lines. Currently, it is providing assistance to the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation in the development of Schurmeier Forest, a 56-acre tract of upland oak-hickory forest, for a natural resource education center.

"They asked if we would manage 11 acres of Schurmeier," says Tom. "Now, we're designing a teaching forest where the differences between managed and unmanaged forest can be demonstrated."

After a site within Schurmeier was selected, it was decided that the area would be managed to improve timber quality, improve wildlife habitat and preserve native plant species. Through the use of private donations and a grant from the Illinois Council on Forestry Development, NIFA hired a professional forester to determine the specific management practices necessary to fulfill the goals.

"In the end, the 11 acres were divided into three sections," explains Tom. "In each section, a different management strategy has been emphasized."

In one of the sections, oaks and other hardwood species are being

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managed through the use of crop tree release, a practice that reduces competition. The growth of a stand of black walnut trees is being favored in another section, while in the last section, hardwood seedlings are being planted. In addition, trees and shrubs, which produce large quantities of seed and nuts preferred by wildlife, are being planted throughout the 11 acres.

Tom also adds that a one-mile trail has been established through Schurmeier Forest, connecting the managed and unmanaged areas. Numbered markers lead visitors down the trail, while posted signs indicate points of interest that are referred to in a guidebook NIFA helped prepare. Inside the guidebook, visitors are introduced to a variety of topics, ranging from forestry ecology to forest management, as well as information about many of the trees found in the area.

By girdling undesirable trees like this one, forest managers not only provide crop trees with more resources, but they also create "snags"-dead trees that can be used for both food and shelter by wildlife.

"By using the guidebook, people on the trail not only will learn about management," explains Tom, "but they will be able to see it first hand."

Eventually, the two organizations plan to construct a building for interpretive programs near the start of the trail.

Adding Value

Because of NIFA's efforts, its members are realizing more than just the importance of forest management-they also are realizing the economic advantages that come from responsible stewardship.

"We want people to recognize that wood products are a renewable resource," says Tom. "By showing people what can be done to add value to their forests, we're helping them to stack the cards in their favor."

Tom says that for those who wish to receive an economic return from their forest land, there are alternatives to bringing in a lumber buyer. Value-adding can be accomplished in a variety of ways, whether it be through the production of lumber for construction, Crafting materials or just firewood.

"Landowners who want a return need to be creative to use what's on their land," says Keith. "They must consider the market and what it can sustain."

Through NIFA, landowners are introduced to a number of opportunities in the wood products market. In most situations, niches that have been opened are small and can not support more than one supplier.

"Each landowner has to come up with his own niche," says Tom. "Once he finds it, then he needs to market it."

Though finding a niche can be difficult, the forestry education that NIFA has provided its members ensures that once a niche is opened, it will be sustained for the future.

"When I harvest lumber from a stand, I always think about what it will be like 10 years down the road," says Keith. "By considering the effects of my actions, I ensure that there will be more for the future. After all, the value we add is not for us, it's for our future generations."

And in the end, ensuring the future of Illinois' forests is what NIFA is all about.

Schurmeier Forest Illinois Forestry Facts Did you know that: • more than 75 percent of Illinois' wildlife habitat is derived from forest? • 82.5 percent of mammals, 62.8 percent of birds and 79.7 percent of amphibians and reptiles require forested habitat for a portion of their life cycles? • forests provide habitat for more than half of the botanical species native to the state? • forest-related industries contribute more than $4.5 billion annually to the state's economy through value added by manufacturing? • Illinois ranks 5th in the nation for wood demand? • more than 90 percent of the 4.26 million acres of Illinois forest land is owned by private landowners? • forest management assistance has never been received by 83 percent of forest landowners?

Interested in joining NIFA or a similar organization? Contact the Northwest Illinois Forestry Association, P.O. Box 175, Mt. Carroll, 111. 61053 for an application, or call your local DNR district forester to learn about other forest management opportunities A in your area.

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