Spring 2010 - Oregon Tree Farm System

Oregon Tree Farm System News
Volume 11 Issue 1
Board of Directors:
KC VanNatta, Chair
Joe Holmberg, VP
Dick Beers, Treasurer
Anne Hanschu, Secretary
Ray Abriel
Dee Anderson
Mike Atkinson
Mike Barsotti
Clint Bentz
Roy Beyer
Ted & Ann Brown
Mike Cloughesy
Dick Courter
Jim & Betty Denison
Ken Faulk
David Ford
Richard Hanschu
ATFS Announces 2010
Regional Outstanding
Tree Farmers of the Year
By Brigitte Johnson, APR
Director of Communications
Spring 2010
In this issue:
• Putting the Lid on Salmon
Jarring
Page 2
Fun Forest, the Western region
winner, is jointly owned by Jim Cota
and Robbie and Scott Melcher in
Sweet Home, Oregon. The three
came together when Jim Cota went to
work for Mike Melcher, who owned
Melcher logging in 1980. Through his
good work ethic, Cota earned respect
as one of the best top hillside cable
loggers in the industry. Cota thus
became a very important part of
Melcher's company. It was during this
time that Melcher's sons, Scott and
Robbie, graduated college and began
their careers in contract logging. In
the early 1990's, Melcher and Cota
partnered to form Timber Harvesting
Inc, (THI) and with Scott and Robbie
they formed Four
M
Fiber.
• A New Way to Use
Herbicides: To Sterilize, Not
Kill Weeds
In 1999, after nearly 20 years of
working together and building a
successful and productive
• The
Page 3
•AmericanForest Foundation
(AFF) 2010-2015 Standards
of Sustainability for Forest
Certification
Pages 4
•
Management
Addendum for the
2010-2015 Standards
Plan
AFF
Pages 5-7
Nancy Hathaway
Michael Heath
Chris Jarmer
Jim Johnson
Six Things you need to
know about the New
Standards
Page 8
Bob Mezger
Dick Powell
• President Obama's Great
Outdoors Initiative Has Local
Ties
Betty & Bert Udell
Steve Vaught
Page 9
The American Tree Farm
System is endorsed by
PEFC. The world's largest
forest certification
organization.
forestry contracting company, there
came an opportunity to purchase a
320 acre parcel of timberland.
Although this was a large and
expensively challenging purchase,
they decided to take the risk. It was
from this purchase that the now 1,281
acre Tree Farm known as Fun Forest
began. (Tour the Fun Forest, June
th
26 , information on page 10).
• Tour the Fun Forest
Page 10
Putting the Lid on Salmon Jarring
By Andrew Petty, Juneau Empire
When a household has an abundance of
salmon, preserving one of Alaska's finest
offerings should not be left solely to the
freezer, said Juneau residents Shirley
Campbell and Celina Tandy.
Jars can be reused or new ones can be
bought at several local stores. Both types
should be boiled before adding the salmon.
The lids must be new and have a rubber
edge so the air is trapped inside.
Their solution is to pack them tightly in
Mason jars.
Once the assembly line is ready, salmon
meat, skin, fat and bones are all squished
inside the jar. No extra oil, salt or other
additives are necessary - the fish parts break
up in the pressure cooker and form natural
oil.
"One reason I like to do this is that I find I eat
more salmon this way," Tandy said.
For three years, the two women have made a
tradition out of their joint operation that
involves a salmon smoker, empty jars with
new lids, a pressure cooker and a several
hours of labor.
"We fill them really tight," because the
contents shrink after being cooked, Campbell
said.
A canner should first procure a few fish and
then lightly smoke the salmon so some parts
are still raw.
The jars lie inside the pressure cooker for at
least 90 minutes to ensure the meat is
cooked and the lid is sealed completely. Gas
range stoves are optimal to control the heat,
Campbell said.
Last month, Campbell and Tandy crammed
two fish into 20 half-pint jars that will be used
on salads, pasta dishes or - Tandy's favorite eaten plain with crackers. Including the
smoking, jarring salmon can be a day-long
process.
Pressure cookers do not permit air or liquids
to escape below a preset pressure. The liquid
inside the pot rises to a higher temperature
before boiling, allowing one to reduce
cooking times by a factor of three or more.
Besides looking attractive on the shelf, jars
are easy to ship and, if canned properly, the
product lasts several years, Tandy said. She
said she once ate a jar of salmon that was
five years old.
In the case of cooking the jars, Campbell
recommended setting it to 10 pounds, a
standard for altitudes under 1,000 feet above
sea level. For altitudes above that level, the
cooker should be set at 15 pounds, according
to recommendations from pressure cooker
manufacturers.
But at least her stash never lasts that long,
she added.
When stuffing the salmon, one can add
garlic, onions, lemons or other ingredients for
flavor, Tandy said. Combinations are
endless: Recipes found online suggested
many other ingredients for the more
adventurous; such as honey, salsa and
peppers.
The key is ensuring jars are sterilized and
sealed airtight, or else they can be a
breeding ground for botulism, Tandy and
Campbell stressed. Botulism is a food
poisoning caused by anaerobic bacteria.
2
A New Way to Use Herbicides: To Sterilize, Not Kill Weeds
By Don Comis; May 5, 2010
Using herbicides to sterilize rather than to kill
weedy grasses might be a more economical
and environmentally sound weed control
strategy, according to a study by Agricultural
Research Service (ARS) scientists and a
cooperator.
Dicamba was slightly less effective, but still
nearly eliminated all seed production, while
2,4-D was much less effective.
Since annual grass seeds only survive in soil
a year or two, it should only take one to
three years of herbicide treatment at the
right growth stage to greatly reduce the soil
seed bank of annual weedy grasses without
harming perennial grasses.
Rangeland ecologist Matt Rinella at the ARS
Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research
Laboratory in Miles City, Mont., conducted
the study with colleagues at Miles City and
Robert Masters with Dow AgroSciences
LLC, in Indianapolis, Ind.
Rinella has recently finished field tests that
support the greenhouse experiment results.
He also tested the herbicide aminopyralid
(Milestone) and found it was as effective as
picloram. Next he will test much lower doses
of the herbicides in an attempt to lower costs
and reduce non-target damage to broadleaf
plants.
Exotic annual grasses such as Japanese
brome, cheatgrass and medusahead are
harming millions of acres of grassland in the
western United States. Currently, the
herbicides used to control these invasive
grasses also sometimes damage desirable
perennial grasses.
In contrast, when used properly, growth
regulators typically do not greatly harm
desirable perennial grasses. Growth
regulator herbicides are used to control
broadleaf weeds in wheat and other crop
grasses, as well as on rangelands. Rinella
and his colleagues knew that when dicamba
and other growth regulator herbicides were
applied to cereal crops late in their growth
stage, just before seed formation, the plants
produced far fewer seeds.
The scientists decided to see if these
herbicides had the same harmful late-stage
application effects on the invasive weed
Japanese brome. In greenhouse
experiments, they tested dicamba
(Banvel/Clarity), 2,4-D, and picloram
(Tordon) at typically used rates. They found
that picloram reduced seed production
nearly 100 percent when applied at the late
growth stage of the weed.
The research was published in the journal
Invasive Plant Science and Management.
ARS is the principal intramural scientific
research agency of the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA). This research supports
the USDA priority of promoting international
food security.
3
American Forest Foundation (AFF) 2010-2015 Standards
of Sustainability for Forest Certification
By ATFS
We are pleased to announce that the American Forest Foundation (AFF) 2010-2015 Standards
of Sustainability for Forest Certification was approved by the AFF Board of Trustees on
November 3rd, 2009.
The 2010-2015 Standards were developed by an independent panel of experts, representing
academia, conservation organizations, Federal and State governments, landowners, and
foresters.
Bob Simpson, AFF Senior Vice President for Forestry, said "Although our ATFS certification
program is the oldest in America, founded in 1941, we are constantly working to improve our
standards to make them fit new conservation forestry practices and consumer expectations.
Consumers want to be able to rely on green brands, and the ATFS brand continues to grow in
stature and acceptance."
American Forest Foundation's 2010-1015 Standards of Sustainability
AFF 2010 - 2015 Standards of Sustainability
AFF 2010 - 2015 Standards of Sustainability Guidance Document
Management Plan Addendum for the AFF 2010-2015 Standards
The American Tree Farm System has developed a management plan addendum for Tree
Farmers whose management plans already meet the 2004-2008 Standards and are looking to
update their plans to be in conformance with the newly released 2010-2015 AFF Standards of
Sustainability.
The management plan addendum covers only the new items required in the 2010 Standards
that were not previously addressed under the 2004 Standards (which Tree Farmers would have
been certified under if they were certified before 2010).
PDF copy of the Management Plan Addendum for the 2010-2015 AFF Standards
To be in conformance with the newly released 2010 – 2015 AFF Standards of Sustainability, we
have included (pages 5-7) the elements of the management plan addendum for Tree Farmers
whose management plans already meet the current requirements and are looking to update
their plans.
4
Management Plan Update Required for 2010 Standards
By American Tree Farm System, April 2010
The American Tree Farm System has
developed this management plan addendum
for Tree Farmers whose management plans
already meet the current requirements and
are looking to update their plans to be in
conformance with the newly released 2010 –
2015 American Forest Foundation Standards
of Sustainability. All lands certified by the
American Tree Farm System must meet the
requirements of the 2010 AFF Standards by
December 31, 2010.
1) Read
through
your
current
management plan. If you see any
items that you would like to update,
please consider including handwritten
notes. Please consider reviewing your
management plan annually and
update informally with any pertinent
information.
2) Please review each new required
plan element (new under the 2010
Standards) and evaluate whether or
not your current management plan
meets the new requirements. If your
current plan meets these new
requirements, please make note of
where in your plan this information
can be found.
3) Where there are updates needed,
please follow the guidance under
each required resource elements.
a. For any check box sections,
please add comments if
appropriate.
4) Once you have completed the
addendum, please attach to your
current management plan. Please be
sure to initial and date the
addendum.
The Management Plan Addendum covers
only the new items required in the 2010
Standards that were not previously
addressed under the 2004 Standards (which
you would have been certified under if you
were certified before 2010).
For more information on the AFF Standards,
please
visit
www.treefarmsystem.org/certification or call
Victoria Lockhart at 202.463.2738.
Instructions
Management plans for properties certified by
the American Tree Farm System are required
to be active, adaptive, embody the
landowner’s current objectives, remain
appropriate for the land certified and reflect
the current state of knowledge about forestry
and natural resource management.
Where present and relevant to the property,
your management plan must address the
following resource elements: Please include
only those items not already addressed adequately in
your current management plan.
An active management plan is updated on a
frequent basis with handwritten notes, plan
revisions and informal plan amendments such
as this document.
1. Review your management plan to
determine if it states a desired forest
condition, management activities aimed
at reaching that condition, and a general
schedule of activity implementation.
Please consider contacting a professional
forester (consulting forester, landowner
assistance forester, state agency forester) to
assist you with your addendum or if your
plans needs a more complete update.
(Continued on page 6)
5
Management Plan Requirements for 2010 (Continued)
By American Tree Farm System, April 2010
(Continued) your management plan must
address the following resource elements:
The following are examples of research you
may have conducted related to T&E species
(please check those you have completed):
2. Forest Health: The previous standards
addressed environmental quality generally. The
2010 standards now separate out forest health,
soil and water.
Walk the property with a
knowledgeable natural resources
professional
(date) (comments) 
What is the condition of your forest?
Are you conducting any activities to
improve the health of your forest?
Consulted the state natural resource
agency
(date) (comments) 
3. Soil: The previous standards addressed
environmental quality generally. The 2010
standards now separate out forest health, soil
and water.
Do you have any general information
on your forest soils? To conduct some

preliminary research on your soils, visit the
National Resource Conservation Service’s
(NRCS) website:
http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/ or contact
your local office of the USDA-Natural
Resource Conservation Service.
Researched sites provided on the
ATFS Woodland Owners’ Resource
(www.treefarmsystem.org/woodlandresources)
(date) (comments)  Other
(comments) -
4. Water: The previous standards addressed
environmental quality generally. The 2010
standards now separate out forest health, soil
and water. For more information on your state’s
Forestry BMPs, visit
www.treefarmsystem.org/woodlandresources.
6. Special Sites: Although this is not a new
requirement under the AFF Standards, it has
been included in the addendum as results of
ATFS inspections and third-party
certification assessments have shown this
management plan component could be
improved.
Do you have any water on your
property (e.g. streams, ponds, vernal pools,
etc.)? If relevant, indicate water
resources on your tract map? Are you
planning any activities (new or
continued) to protect these water
resources?
Do you have any special sites on your
property? (e.g. historical burial ruins, old
cemeteries, cave entrances, rare mineral
outcroppings, unique ecological
communities). Special sites can be identified
by the landowner or by outside credible
organizations such as a state forestry
agency.
5. Threatened or Endangered Species:
Are you aware of any occurrences of
any threatened or endangered
species (listed by your state or the Federal
government?) on your property?
Please include management activities
related to the protection of any special sites
found on the property: (Continued on page 7)
What sources of information have you
consulted to determine occurrences of
threatened or endangered (T&E) species on
your property?
6
Management Plan Requirements for 2010 (Continued)
By American Tree Farm System, April 2010
(Continued from page 6) How have you made an effort to locate any special sites on your
property? The following are examples of efforts you may have made to locate special sites
(Please check those you have completed):
 Walk the property with a knowledgeable natural resources professional
(date) (comments) –
 Researched sites provided on the ATFS Woodland Owners’ Resource
(www.treefarmsystem.org/woodlandresources)
(date) (comments) –
 Review old property maps
(date) (comments) –
 Contact local cultural heritage organization
(date) (comments) –
 Other
(date) (comments) -
7.
Integrated Pest Management and Invasive Species:
What have you done to monitor your forest for the possible presence of any pests and/or
invasive species?
Do you have any pest problems or invasive species on your property? If yes, please list.
All Tree Farmers must consider integrated pest management to control pests, pathogens and
unwanted vegetation (including invasive species). I commit to considering a variety of available
pest management options when dealing with pest problems on my property. (Remember,
integrated pest management techniques may include mechanical devices, physical devices,
genetic, biological or chemical management techniques)
Comments (may include examples of management activities you will conduct to deal with any
pests):
8.
High Conservation Value Forests:
Are you aware of any forests of exceptional conservation value on your property? (Definition:
Forests of outstanding and critical importance due to their environmental, social, biodiversity, or
landscape values)
7
The Six Things you need to know about the New
Standards
By ATFS
1) Designed for small woodland owners: These Standards were developed specifically for small
woodland owners. The independent panel took care to ensure that the requirements were appropriate
for the scale of management practiced on family woodlands across the U.S.
2) Management plan: The management plan requirements help streamline the process for Tree Farm
owners to participate in USDA conservation incentive programs. The management plan requirements
under the 2010-2015 Standards correlate with the US Forest Service guidelines for forest stewardship
program forest management plans. Tree Farm management plans will address the following elements
as appropriate for the land certified:
landowner objectives
forest condition and health
Associated Oregon Loggers
management activities/ prescriptions
tract map
soils and water resources
wood and fiber production
threatened and endangered species, high conservation value forests and other special sites
invasive species and integrated pest management
3) Special Sites: As the current Standards do, the 2010-2015 Standards require maintenance of
special cultural and environmental sites (historical, archeological, geological, biological and ecological
sites). ATFS will be introducing new tools on the Tree Farm website to help landowners’ research
special sites in their state and on their certified Tree Farms.
4) Monitoring: Periodic monitoring has been added to the Standards to encourage landowners to
monitor their woodlands for changes that could interfere with their management objectives. Things to be
on the look out for include pest outbreaks (pine beetle, emerald ash borer, etc), invasive species
encroachment (kudzu, Canadian thistle), and indications of trespass. Many landowners are already
doing things like walking their boundaries, and inspecting after a thinning or planting for new groups of
invasive species.
5) Invasive Species: Tree Farmers are encouraged to make practical efforts to prevent, eradicate or
otherwise control invasive species using a range of integrated pest management methods. Integrated
pest management methods may include pesticides, physical removal methods and preventative
methods.
6) One year to implement: The new Standards were officially released January 1, 2010, and Tree
Farmers will have one year to ensure their management plans and management activities meet the
Standards. All volunteer inspectors will be retrained to the new Standards within the year and we will be
working with state programs to provide education to Tree Farmers about the changes.
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President Obama's Great Outdoors Initiative Has
Local Ties
By Mike Heath
Portland Metro Council President David Bragdon was one of 500 invited guests to attend the
White House Conference on America's Great Outdoors in April. During the last decade he
played an integral role in the agency's efforts to join forces in establishing a connected network
of suburban and rural lands. Metro has moved to preserve and restore thousands of acres of
forestland, farmland, and wetland areas in the Portland-Vancouver area called "The Intertwine”.
The following initiative will bring communities together to develop a strategy for protecting and
preserving valuable lands, open spaces and natural resources.
Section 1. Establishment
(a) There is established the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative (Initiative), to be led by the
Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency, and the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and implemented in
coordination with the agencies listed in section 2(b) of this memorandum. The Initiative may
include the heads of other executive branch departments, agencies, and offices (agencies) as
the President may, from time to time, designate.
(b) The goals of the Initiative shall be to:
(i) Reconnect Americans, especially children, to America’s rivers and waterways,
landscapes of national significance, ranches, farms and forests, great parks, and coasts
and beaches by exploring a variety of efforts, including:
(A) promoting community-based recreation and conservation, including local
parks, greenways, beaches, and waterways;
(B) advancing job and volunteer opportunities related to conservation and outdoor
recreation; and
(C) supporting existing programs and projects that educate and engage
Americans in our history, culture, and natural bounty.
(ii) Build upon State, local, private, and tribal priorities for the conservation of land, water,
wildlife, historic, and cultural resources, creating corridors and connectivity across these
outdoor spaces, and for enhancing neighborhood parks; and determine how the Federal
Government can best advance those priorities through public/private partnerships and
locally supported conservation strategies.
(iii) Use science-based management practices to restore and protect our lands and
waters for future generations.
The President said that the initiative will build on current conservation efforts lead by local
governments, and private land-trust groups to preserve ranches, farmland, and forestland. The
initiative will be administered by the Environmental Protection Agency, the White House Council
on Environmental Quality, the Department of Interior and the Department of Agriculture.
9
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Oregon Tree Farm System
PO Box 13556
Salem, OR 97309-1556
(503) 362-0242
Newsletter Editor:
Mike Heath, CF; 503.857.5976
www.otfs.org
«First» «Last»
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2011 Tree School
March 19, 2011
Clackamas Community College
Oregon City, Oregon
Presented by:
Oregon Tree Farm System
Annual Meeting
• Oregon State UniversityExtension Service
• Clackamas County Farm-
November 22, 2010
Forestry Association
• Forests Forever, Inc.
At the World Forestry Center
Portland, Oregon
• Clackamas Community College
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