2004 APSAF Winter Meeting

The 83rd Annual APSAF Meeting was held in Raleigh, NC January 27-30, 2004.

The theme for the meeting was “Applied Silviculture for Sustainable Land Conservation and Production.”

The technical program explored the roles and opportunities for forestry in the expanding arena of land trusts, conservation easements, and working farms and forests. Urbanization and public demand for the amenity values of open and forested lands have increased private, non-profit conservation efforts tremendously in recent years. Fueled by tax incentives, funding opportunities, and government policies, the number of land trusts in the US increased 46% between 1990 and 2000; the land area held by these organizations increased from 866,000 to 3.8 million acres during this same period.

Sound silvicultural options are critical to creating and sustaining the multiple-use objectives (i.e., aesthetics, recreation, timber, water quality, wildlife, etc…) inherent in the “working landscape” concept of conservation easements. Forest landowners – non-industrial, industrial, and non-profit -- will be invited to showcase actual examples of sustainable silvicultural practices in support of working forests on conserved land.

SESSION 1.

Dr. David N. Wear - U.S. Forest Service, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

Abstract: Forest Inventory Analysis (FIA) has been done approximately every 10 years beginning in 1938. The "2000" vintage reports are hot off the press, which gives us about 60 years of forestry trend data on the APSAF landscape to digest and interpret . This presentation will look at the changing forest land base, forest species, forest owners and forest dynamics (growth, drain, mortality). Power Point Presentation PDF Format

Biography: Since 1995 David has managed a research program in the economics of natural resource use and management and conducts research in the areas of forest management, land use changes, and forest policy. In this position he supervises a staff of twelve and is responsible for cooperative research agreements with more that fifteen universities. He also recently served as co-leader of an interagency assessment of the sustainability of forests and their uses within the southeastern United States: The Southern Forest Resource Assessment. David's research work has led to more than ninety publications since 1989 in four areas of research: (1) microeconomics of forest management, (2) forest policy, (3) land use, and (4) ecosystem management. David holds Adjunct Faculty appointments at Duke University and North Carolina State University. He holds a BA in Botany and a PhD in Forest Management and Economics from the University of Montana and a Masters Degree in Forestry from Duke University.

Dr. Michael Mortimer - Department of Forestry, Virginia Tech

Abstract: Forest policies at the federal and state level have long influenced our public and private forests. Laws, regulations, taxes, subsidies, and other policy mechanisms have and will continue to shape the use and composition of forested lands. This presentation will summarize past efforts, as well as projections for future policy developments, and some of the forest effects they might engender. Power Point Presentation PDF Format

Biography: Michael is assistant professor of forest law and policy in Virginia Tech's Department of Forestry. He received a BS degree from Washington and Jefferson College, his law degree from Penn State, and his from the University of Montana. His research and extension interests include the various laws and policies affecting private forest management, including state and local regulation of forest practices, timber theft and trespass, and logging liability. Some of his current research is examining the responses of the US Forest Service to appeals and litigation in Virginia, and the nationwide effects of conservation easements on active forest management. Michael currently serves as the policy chair of the SAF's Virginia Division, and chair of the SAF's national Committee on Forest Policy. Before joining Virginia Tech, Michael served as an assistant attorney general for the State of Montana.

Tammara Van Ryn - Land Trust Alliance

Abstract: The permanent protection of land with a working forest conservation easement offers a landowner the opportunity to conserve the forest values of their property in perpetuity, prevents the conversion of important forest resources and forest soils to development, and provides the public with the myriad of benefits that flow from working forest lands. This presentation will explore the growth of the land conservation movement, the rise in the use of working forest conservation easements, and the role of foresters in the future of conservation easements in the region. Power Point Presentation PDF Format

Biography: Tammara is the director of research and easement excellence for the Land Trust Alliance (LTA) and oversees LTA's programs to advance excellence in conservation easement stewardship and defense. She joined LTA in the summer of 1997. In 2000 she established LTA's programs in the Midwest, MidAtlantic, and Southeastern states. She facilitated LTA's Working Forest Conservation Easement Learning Circle. Prior to coming to LTA, she served as the policy director for the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (SPNHF) for seven years. While at SPNHF she facilitated several public policy initiatives, worked extensively with the legislature, and edited Good Forestry in the Granite State, a sustainable forestry publication. She has practiced forestry with a private consulting firm, a sawmill, and as an agro-forestry specialist for the Peace Corps in Ecuador. She holds a Bachelor's in Forest Management from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry and a Master's in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School.

William Luppold - US Forest Service Princeton, West Virginia

Abstract: Hardwood markets are in a period of transition as globalization has brought new forms of competition to every sector of the hardwood industry. The eastern hardwood resource is also undergoing significant changes in species composition as a result of selective cutting practices over the last 70 years. The concurrent change in hardwood markets and forest composition makes the difficult task of forest management even more challenging. However, a review of how the hardwood market has reacted to past structural changes may help us anticipate how hardwood timber will be valued in the future. Power Point Presentation PDF Format

Biography: Bill has been with the US Forest Service Princeton, West Virginia for 22 years. During his Forest Service career Bill has conducted research on demand supply and price of hardwood products, international hardwood product markets, the domestic sawmilling industry, and the impact of government policy on hardwood industries. His current research investigates how market activities have affected the long-term composition, structure, and value of eastern hardwood forests.

Dr. Al Schuler - USDA Forest Service, Princeton, West Virginia

Abstract: Globalization (and other competitive pressures) has made life much tougher for the North American forest products industry, especially in recent years. Competitive pressures continue to increase and are unlikely to be reversed anytime soon. World fiber supply continues to increase, partly in response to growing acreages in plantations, but also the reemergence of Russia as major international trader in wood products. North American producers continue to lose offshore markets to competitors in Asia, South America, Europe, Russia, and Oceania. In addition, we see growing imports of both primary and secondary products. Furthermore, new wood products substitute for conventional ones - OSB for plywood and EWPs for large dimension lumber are two. The NA industry is responding in various ways - by focusing on core businesses; exiting some businesses; consolidation; investing in new technology to improve productivity and cut costs; and discarding assets no longer considered strategic. During the past two decades, over 35 million acres of forest industry land have changed ownership through M&A and dispositions - will the new owners manage the land? Healthy forests need a healthy forest products industry and vice versa. A key question - is our forest products industry still competitive - if not, what can be done to remedy the situation - and what are the implications for the softwood resource and ultimately, forest land values? Power Point Presentation PDF Format

Biography: Al received his doctorate in Forest Economic & Marketing from Iowa State University. Since 1999, he has been a Research Economist with the USDA Forest Service at their Princeton, WV Research Laboratory. Prior to his work with USDA, for nearly ten years Al was Manager of Economics and Market Planning at Norbord Industries in Toronto, providing the company with economic forecasts used in strategic planning, demand/supply and resource analyses. He succeeded to this position after spending approximately nine years as Manager of Market Research at the Forintek Research Lab in Ottawa, Canada. Over the past four years with the USDA Forest Service, Al has been responsible for studies on the impacts of technological change on the markets for engineered wood products; the strengths and weaknesses of the hardwood industry; and the position of the U.S. furniture industry in an internationally competitive market.

SESSION 2.

Dr. Ted Shear - North Carolina State University

Abstract: Power Point Presentation PDF Format

Biography:

B.S. Louisiana State University (1980)

Ph.D. North Carolina State University (1985)

Research Interests: Restoration ecology, with emphasis on wetland restoration and creation and reclamation of drastically disturbed lands; ecology and conservation biology aspects of forest management; urban natural resource management; plant physiology and biochemistry.

James M. Guldin , Research Forest Ecologist and Project Leader, Arkansas Forestry Sciences Lab, Southern Research Station

Abstract: Shortleaf pine. Shortleaf is the only major southern pine to resprout if a seedling or small sapling is top-killed. Under the fire regimes of the habitat restoration treatment, this may result in a seedling-bank advance growth condition that might be useful when reproduction cutting is imposed in the stand. Implications of this treatment on residual overstory stand structure and growth, and on regeneration establishment and development, are presented. Power Point Presentation PDF Format

Biography: James M. Guldin is a Research Forest Ecologist and Project Leader for the Arkansas Forestry Sciences Laboratory, Southern Research Station, USDA Forest Service. The research unit has responsibility for studies on the silviculture, ecology and hydrology of upland forest ecosystems in the mid-South. Guldin's research interests lie in development of even-aged and uneven-aged reproduction cutting methods that rely on natural regeneration in pine, pine-hardwood, and hardwood stands in the West Gulf Coastal Plain and the Interior Highlands of Arkansas and Oklahoma.

Bachelor of Science, Forest Science, The Pennsylvania State University (1975), Master of Forest Science, Yale University (1977) Ph.D., Forest Science, The University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1982. Guldin can be reached at: P.O. Box 1270, Hot Springs AR 71902 or P.O. Box 3516, UAM Station, Monticello AR 71656-3516Phone:501-623-1174 (Hot Springs) 870-367-3464 x 10 (Monticello), or jguldin@fs.fed.us

Dr. Lawrence E. Nix - Clemson University

Abstract: Many bottomland forests are being clearcut without regard for regeneration of the more valuable oaks. The Department of Forestry at Clemson University began a cooperative research program with several large bottomland tract landowners in 1979 through the consulting foresters who were managing these tracts. Using input from these experienced foresters several regeneration methods were tested on a large scale context with the hope of replacing the valuable oaks that were once a major part of these stands. Shelterwood cuts with both natural and planted oak seedlings were attempted as well as planting recent clearcuts, herbicide release of both planted and natural oak seedlings, and the use of tree shelters to accelerate the growth of oak seedlings. Most treatments were unsuccessful partly because of the vigorous growth of stump and root sprouts and the high cost so early in the rotation. However, several of the treatments were successful, both economically and silviculturally. Shelterwood cuts during the fall of a bumper acorn crop successfully reproduced 2-3000 oak seedlings per acre and five years later the seedlings had achieved at least a codominant position after overstory removal.

Herbicide oversprays in four year old clearcuts using the overtopping competition as an "umbrella" for the smaller oak seedlings have resulted in excellent stocking and growth of the oaks ten years after the treatments. Results of these and other experiments will be reported in this presentation. Power Point Presentation PDF Format

Biography: Born and raised in Starkville, MS, Larry completed a BS and MS in Forestry at Mississippi State in the 60's and a PhD at the University of GA in 1974. After going to work at Clemson University, SC in 1973 he taught tree physiology, forest ecology, woodland management, silviculture, hardwood silviculture, and remote sensing and GIS application in natural resources during the last 30 years. His research has been focused on bottomland hardwoods since 1979, and he have conducted a variety of studies on regeneration, early thinning, and growth of quality stems. Larry has just about completed most of the studies that were started in 1979 and later, and he is trying to compile the data and report the important parts before retirement.

Dr. Gary B. Blank - North Carolina State University

Abstract: Historically longleaf ( Pinus palustris ) had a place on the Piedmont, a transitional place where it held its own against more aggressive species. Prehistoric and historic fire occurrences gave it an advantage, and woodland grazing enhanced its opportunities. But today longleaf occupies few sites in the Piedmont due to historic factors that gave advantage to competitor species. Mixed pine and hardwood stands quickly conceal the remnant longleaf pines on any sites allowed to regenerate naturally and grow without fire. Succeeding harvests diminsh the number of longleaf pines persisting. Where longleaf does occur on non-sand sites, it deserves attention, and its management on such sites where it once ocurred makes sense. Recent research promises success under certain circumstances. This paper will highlight work concerning longleaf sites which were identified on the Harris Research Tract in the 1990s. Recovery of the sites through careful manipulation in one case established a plantation after clearcut harvest. But in the other case, a harvest that removed canopy competition was implemented and longleaf seedlings were subsequently underplanted. While it is early for results, promising signs make evident the potential of these sites to recover as longleaf stands. Planted trees are progressing well, and the old residuals are responding to release, even producing cones. Meanwhile, fire scorch, beetles, and ice damage have taken their toll on the residuals and loblolly and hardwood regeneration pose continuing threats. Reintroducing fire faces the usual complications. Power Point Presentation PDF Format

Biography: Gary is an associate professor at NC State University, where he teaches courses in environmental impact assessment, sustainable use of natural resources, and historical environments. His research concerns environmental impact assessment and historical ecology, specifically the history of forested environments. He pursues several research projects focused on environmental change. Gary has also conducted natural resource investigations to support NEPA environmental documents since 1983. He has conducted field studies in all regions of North Carolina, as well as in Virginia and West Virginia. Gary earned his Ph.D. in forestry from NC State University (1992), following MA (1975) and BS (1972) degrees in English from the University of Idaho and Frostburg State College, respectively. Gary has spent 31 years teaching in English, forestry, engineering and natural resources fields, 19 years conducting NEPA-related natural resources investigations (80+ studies), 36 years involved in civic, academic and professional organizations and projects, and has written over 50 publications in varied subject areas and genres.

SESSION 3.

Mr. Harry Groot - Next Generation Woods

Abstract: Power Point Presentation PDF Format

Biography: Harry earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1975 from Virginia Tech and did his masters work in Industrial Systems Engineering, Quality and Management Systems Option in 1990-1993 at Virginia Tech. He is a professional engineer, registered in Virginia and Ohio, and a Certified Energy Manager. He has worked for twenty-two years in industry, private practice, military, and public service Harry founded Next Generation Woods, Inc in 1998 and is currently working with the Blue Ridge Sustainable Forest Initiative, a consortium of four organizations to establish an FSC certified forest products system in Virginia. Harry is an FSC certified forest landowner and a sustainable agriculture practitioner since 1983. He is a cooperator with the Virginia Association of Biological Farming and is involved with the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, and the USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education programs.

Mr. Chris Muckenfuss - MeadWestvaco

Abstract: As forestry practices have evolved, so too, have the conservation efforts that accompany them. Where in the past these efforts focused on tree planting and outreach programs to hunters, schools and the communities, forest products companies must now look for new and innovative conservation projects. It means dealing with government agencies and conservation organizations in ways that are collaborative rather than confrontational; seeking solutions rather than headlines, and finding common ground rather than creating battlegrounds. Single landowners seldom own entire watersheds, and no one group or organization has all the answers regarding how theseareas should be managed. Partnerships provide the framework for successful efforts. MeadWestvaco has been involved in a number of conservation partnerships, including a land management agreement, conservation easement, sale of company lands, and mitigation banking; which have not only served to protect special places across the low country of South Carolina, but also have provided a favorable return for our investors. Power Point Presentation PDF Format

Biography: Not available.

Mr. Paul J. Carlson - The Land Trust for the Little Tennessee

Abstract: The watershed of the upper Little Tennessee River in Western North Carolina is recognized as one of the most biologically intact ecosystems in the southeastern United States. However, this ecosystem is being threatened by rapid development, which fragments the landscape and produces significant changes in land cover and land use. The Little Tennessee Sustainable Forestry Partnership is a collaborative effort focused on conserving the private forest land base in the river basin through the promotion of working forest conservation easement coupled with outreach in forest management activities. The partnership, which is led by the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee and includes Western Carolina University, Duke University, the Region A Council of Governments and the Conservation Fund, is composed of land conservation, forest management, education and research components. It operates under the hypothesis that forest management can be a key land conservation strategy in the southern Blueridge. Power Point Presentation PDF Format

Biography: Paul is the executive director of The Land Trust for the Little Tennessee, a non-profit land conservation organization based in Franklin, North Carolina. He is a NC Registered Forester who holds an MS in Forestry from the University of Illinois - Urbana and a BA in economics. He spent a dozen years in the Andean region of South America, first as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Colombia, and subsequently as the highlands forestry advisor for the US Agency for International Development in Peru and as agroforestry advisor for USAID in Ecuador. From 1991-1997 he worked as a consulting forester in western North Carolina and since 1997 has been with the Land Trust.

Thank you to all our speakers!