SEOWIG Newsletter

Newsletter             AUGUST,  2008

Chair -  Rich Fox - (740) 767-4185

Co Chair - Kay Appleman - (740) 554-7523

Secretary - Susan Moody - (740) 554-7466

Treasurer - Dave Hawkins - (740) 585-2563

Programs - Dave Schatz - (740) 667-9712

Newsletter - Rory Lewandowski- (740) 593-8555

Dear SEOWIG Member,

            This month’s meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 18 at 7:00 pm at the Athens County Extension office.  The speaker will be Brian Blair of the Appalachia Ohio Alliance organization.  Brian will be talking about the Trimble Township Community Forest.  The 1200-acre forest is managed with the assistance of a committee of local residents in Trimble Township, the Ohio Division of Wildlife and the Sunday Creek Watershed Group. Trimble Township Community Forest was purchased in 2007 with a grant funded by the Clean Ohio Fund from the State of Ohio and with 25% matching funds contributed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife.  In addition to describing some of the attributes of this forest, Brian will talk about some of the management plans and option for this public woodland.

            There are a couple of areas where input from members is currently needed.  The first concerns meeting topics and speakers.  Do you have an idea for a meeting topic, something that would increase your woodland knowledge, or help you to better manage your woodland?  Do you know of a speaker who could address this topic?  Please pass on your ideas and speaker contact information to chair Rick Fox, co-chair Kaye Appleman, or give me a call at the Athens County Extension office at 593-8555, or drop me an email at: lewandowski.11@osu.edu.  The second area that could use some member input is newsletter articles.  Please consider writing a short article about some woodland management practice you are doing or learning about.  What are your management goals for your woodland?  What are the biggest obstacles to meeting those management goals?  I hope to hear from you!

            The U.S. Forest Service has provided some funding for a small study to look at the effectiveness of using goats as a non-chemical method of controlling non-native invasive plant species in woodlands.  The funds will provide goat owners with temporary fencing, a fence charger and some reimbursement for gas if travel is required to move goats.  Ideally a woodland owner with some invasive species could be matched up with a nearby goat owner.  The grant will use a couple of goat owners grazing a group of 6 to 8 goats in a woodland plot made from temporary electro netting for short periods of time and observing plant species eaten by the goats as well as effectiveness in controlling invasive species.  Invasive species of particular interest to the study include garlic mustard, stiltgrass, and Japanese knotweed.  If you have an interest as a woodland owner in participating in the study, contact me at the Athens County Extension office at 593-8555.

Sincerely,

Rory Lewandowski

Extension Educator, Ag/NR

SEOWIG MINUTES: July Meeting

The Southeast Ohio Woodland Interest Group met July 21, 2008, at the Athens County Extension office with eleven members and three guests.

Gailen Maxwell chaired the meeting. There were no business items to discuss.

Gailen introduced the speaker, consulting forester Pete Woyar who began by saying he and Rory serve on the Athens County Planning Commission looking at lots of environmental, forest resource, and private woodland issues.  Pete developed this presentation out of that research. He said facts about Athens County may be similar to surrounding counties.

Athens County has about 322,000 acres with over 200,000 in forests and about 100,000 in farms. (Secretary rounded numbers when taking notes.) The average farm size is 147 acres. The average woods size is 100 acres.

Land cover is 2.5% urban and infrastructure, 6% cropland, 13% pasture, and 78% forest.

About 36,000 acres of the forestland is tax-exempt federal, state, county, or township owned. The Wayne National Forest has 19,000 acres in Athens County and it contributes payment in lieu of taxes (pilt) to the local economy. Zaleski and Waterloo have 14,000 acres and return timber receipts to the county.

About 124,000 acres of the forestland are tax reduced, 17,000 in OFTL and 107,000 in CAUV. OFTL has strict guidelines and offers a 50% tax reduction. CAUV is easier to comply with and has reductions based on soil type as determined by the county auditor.

Having this much land in exempt or reduced status affects property taxes. Athens County depends heavily on sales tax.

Only 4% of the private forest acres have a forest plan. Athens County has 53 certified tree farms.

Pete said many owners don't think about commodity values. He estimates there are 564 million board feet of standing timber in Athens County worth on average $1000 per acre. Pine could be 150 tons of biomass per acre.

Pete mentioned also non-timber commodities: maple syrup, medicinal herbs, mushrooms, fruits and nuts and hulls, hunting leases, recreational fees, and tourism. He said the public should recognize the value of woodland for viewscapes, wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration, soil and water conservation, and open space.

Working woodlands create jobs for industry (sawmills, loggers, foresters), agencies (ODNR, NRCS, SWDC, auditors office), educational institutions (Hocking and OU), consultants, vendors, suppliers, woodworkers, and entrepreneurs. He said the local feed store sells more corn for deer than for cattle. He also mentioned an interest in using black locust lumber as an alternative to treated. He counts 126 full time working woodland employees in Athens County.

Planning issues include parcelization, landowner objectives, taxes, and incentive payments.

Parcelization impacts wildlife, reduces public access, reduces the possible size of commodity-based enterprises such as logging.

Landowner objectives often include just the desire to live in a woods. Most forestland in the county is not under active management.

Tax issues include a move to combine OFTL and CAUV. Many current tax reduced lands will not qualify if that happens. Land must be in production following a management plan. Another tax issue is the negative impact on forests of the federal estate tax and capital gains.

Pete said cost sharing should be available for forest improvements like access roads. He listed some incentive payments for forests. In the past Mead offered free trees. Now ODNR gives one free for every one purchased. The USDA farm bill has some forest provisions.

Pete listed some forest health concerns including wildlife damage, oak mortality, pine adelgid, EAB, gypsy moth, and ailanthus. These all have economic impact.

Pete summed up with the planning recommendations he believes in: planners must consider multiple landowner objectives; there should be incentives for non-timber amenity values; forest size should be limited to 25 acres or more to maintain working forests. The current limit is 5 acres. His recommendations were voted down in 2008.

Carlen Emanuel commented that many landowners do not want to cut timber but may have niche markets for other forest products. A stewardship plan has the landowner's objectives to follow.

Marshall Lowe mentioned that standing timber in an estate has no extra value, but money from the sale of timber in an estate is taxed. Good planning might include leaving it alone for your heirs.

Marshall also said he is interested in the process of parcelization in reverse. People are buying plots to join into larger acreage. Pete said he compared the 1970 to the 2005 plat maps. Some townships have great changes with development but most do not.

Pete and Dave Hawkins discussed the economics of maple syrup production. Dave has a friend considering a move into the area if there are enough maples.

Group thanked Pete for his insights and information.

Susan Moody, sec.

GWYNNE CONSERVATION AREA AT FARM SCIENCE REVIEW

            The annual Farm Science Review (FSR) held at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center near London OH is scheduled for September 16-18.  The FSR offers educational classes and displays for a wide range of interests including agriculture, horticulture and natural resources.

            For those interested in woodlands and natural resources, consider attending the 2008 FSR and participating in one or several of the Gwynne Conservation area’s “Educational Classes for Inquisitive Landowners”.  These classes are designed to enhance the landowner’s ability to practice effective, science-based natural resources and conservation stewardship of ponds, wetlands, woodlands, riparian zones, and grasslands.  In addition to the classes there will be 20+ educational displays covering a range of topics including: aquatic plant management, wildlife, and forest management.

            Some of the topics that will be presented under the woodland class track include: Tree ID, Emerald Ash Borer, Invasive plant species in Ohio woodlands, Hobby maple syrup production, Why Trees Matter, and Pruning & Shaping Pines, Spruces and Firs.

            Topics that will be presented under the wildlife track include: Coyotes, Bats, Woodpeckers, Bluebirds, Muskrats and Protecting Tree Plantings from Deer.

            For a complete class schedule that includes topics and specific times, click on the following web site link: http://gwynne.osu.edu/programs/fsr/schedules.html or contact the Athens County Extension office for a hard copy informational brochure.

Gates at FSR open each day at 8:00 am.  Advance tickets can be purchased from the Athens County Extension office at a cost of $5.00/ticket.  Advance tickets must be purchased by Monday, September 15.  Admission at the gate is $8.00/person.

2008 SOUTHEAST OHIO TREE CARE CONFERENCE at ATHENS

Mark your calendars for September 25th for the Southeast Ohio Tree Care Conference in Athens, Ohio.  Join us for a fun day PACKED with 7 programs ranging from tree pruning, dealing with difficult soils to revitalizing your downtown, managing the Ailanthus tree, Climate Change and trees and more.

Whether you are a Gardener or Arborist, starting a tree care program in your town or just want to know more about your trees, don’t miss this opportunity to catch the latest and network with others interested in planting and caring for trees.

What:   Southeast Ohio Tree Care Conference

When:   September 25, 2008 9am-4pm. Registration cost is $15 and includes a continental breakfast, lunch and educational materials. ISA CEUs are available.

Where:  ODNR District Office at 360 E. State Street. Athens, Ohio

For Further Information Contact:

Ann Bonner
Urban Forester
ODNR Division of Forestry
360 East State Street
Athens, Ohio 45701
740-589-9910 or 614-670-2630
ann.bonner@dnr.state.oh.us

UPCOMING WOODLAND HIKES

Submitted by: Jessica Fox, SEOWIG Member

Multigenerational Appalachian Woodland Explorers (MAWE) Proposed Hikes @ 1400 hours (2 p.m.) on the second Sunday of the month

Sunday, August 10, 2008                Bob Scott Placier and other naturalists plan to lead us on a tour of the Lynx Prairie.  Take SR 32 (the Appalachian Highway) to SR 41, just south of Peebles, go south to West Union, then back east on SR 125 to the little town of Lynx. Turn right (south) onto Tulip Rd., then look for the East Liberty Church in about a half-mile. Trail begins out of the corner of the church cemetery.

It really is an awesome place, should be great blooming with all the rain this summer. It's easy walking, decent trails and only 53 acres, so no access issues. For specific details please contact Bob @ 740-698-2530.

August 23, 2008,            Trimble Township Community Forest, Athens County.

Join us on a tour and nature hike as we explore the 1200-acre Trimble Township Community Forest.  Come and learn more about what is being planned for the future of this wonderful area which is protected by conservation easement with  (www.appalachiaohioalliance.org).  For more information about joining us for this wonderful opportunity (and directions), please e-mail Steve Goodwin at aoalt@earthlink.net.

September 13, 2008,            Orenda, Hocking County. The hike will begin at 10 AM and should finish around noon.  Come visit a privately owned natural area and learn more about conservation easements and enjoy this beautiful natural area. To take a hike at Orenda in the fall is to immerse oneself in the mauve and purple colors of Joe Pye, Ironweed and Asters. There is also a profusion of the yellow fall flowers in bloom----the Wingstem, Golden Rods, and Butterfly Weed. There is a wonderful place to stop and think at Contemplation Point, on the way to the waterfall. Join Jim Davidson, naturalist and hike leader for an enjoyable and pleasant mid morning early hike.  Please contact Nancy Green for information and directions (www.appalachiaohioalliance.org).

Sunday, September 14, 2008    Heike Perko and other naturalists will lead us on a Waterloo Wildlife Area Hike. We plan on doing a general hike with maybe a couple of watershed related activities. Folks interested in taking a longer hike are more than welcome to do so!  The shorter hike may involve fishing and possibly a pond study for the kids, so you may wish to bring boots and a change of clothes.  Contact: Heike Perko (heikeperko@mail.ohiohills.net)

Location:
Waterloo Wildlife Station - 9660 State Route 356, New Marshfield Ohio 45766

Sunday, October 12, 2008                Andrew Bashaw & other naturalists will lead us on a trek along the North Country Trail around Burr Oak Lake.  Please contact Andrew (andrewbashaw@northcountrytrail.org) for additional information.  We will be carpooling from the Friends Meeting House in Chauncey @ 1 p.m.