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'Forests are never static'

Alecia Warren | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 12 years, 7 months AGO
by Alecia Warren
| March 29, 2012 9:15 PM

The problem - and the fun - of managing a forest is that it's never over, says Al Kyle.

"You've never arrived. It's always, 'We've done something here, that's an improvement, next year maybe we'll do something different,'" said Kyle, who logs off the 350 acres of timber on his Athol property. "That's why it's a management thing, rather than a static thing. Forests are never static."

Reason enough for Kyle, who already has a degree in forestry, to go through the University of Idaho Extension Office's Master Forest Stewards program.

On top of demonstrating the basics of forest care practices, he explained, the program teaches updated and innovative ways to battle typical tree terrors, like insects and disease.

Since achieving the title of master forest steward, Kyle said he has not only helped his neighbors improve their trees, but he has been able to better identify when to harvest his own trees before they die off.

"We're tried to manage the forest and select for the trees that can withstand all the things that are against it right now," Kyle said. "The forest has responded pretty well."

Nurturing healthier forests, which for some means a better livelihood or simply a vital backyard, is the chief goal of the Master Forest Stewards program, said Chris Schnepf, area extension educator in forestry for U of I.

The extension office is accepting applications for the program through April 1. Applications will also be taken past that date, Schnepf added, if the 20 slots are not filled.

"Another benefit is if you want to change the world a little bit," Schnepf said. "Like seeing good forestry practices, or if you want to see people aware of forest ecology."

It's not as simple as it sounds. The master forest stewards receive 70 hours of training, he said.

The program involves a six-week forestry course on developing management plans, forest ecology and wildlife habitat, Schnepf said, as well as managing private property.

There are also four day-long sessions in the field, to focus on various forest ecosystems.

Schnepf pointed out that 40 to 50 percent of forest in Kootenai County is owned by private property owners, not the state or federal government.

Some own maybe a few acres, some thousands, he said, but most want to keep up tree health.

"They just don't know how to get there, necessarily, or they don't realize what kinds of risks their forests are ill prepared for," he said. "A lot of people see lots of green trees and presume everything is just fine."

That's why forestry stewards provide 70 hours of volunteer service for over two years, Schnepf added. Some are active with youth groups, or they assist forest owners. Others volunteer with forestry tours.

"The main goal of my job is to get better information on good forestry in people's hands, so the forests are managed more effectively," Schnepf said, adding that common forest problems in the area involve root rot and density.

For more information or for an application, call the U of I Extension Office in Coeur d'Alene at 664-1680, or go to www.uidaho.edu/extension/forestry/content/masterstewards.

Really, forest management is simply fast forwarding natural selection, Kyle said.

It's helping trees acclimate to certain conditions with treatment and preventative steps, instead of waiting centuries for stands to die off and be replaced by stronger saplings more adept at surviving certain conditions.

"We can capture the value currently and improve it for a shorter time frame than nature would do," he said. "It's not better, just faster."

He acknowledged that the extension office's program requires a major time commitment.

But that's outweighed by the benefits, he said.

"It's exciting to be working with something that you can actually manage and improve," Kyle said.

How to apply

• The deadline for applications for the University of Idaho Extension Office's Master Forest Stewards program is April 1. Contact the office at 446-1680 for details and an application, or get an application at www.uidaho.edu/extension/forestry/content/masterstewards.

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