Friday, May 9, 2014

Classroom in the Forest 2014



This year we, along with our forest planning committee, decided to have all fifth graders from our county attend our "Classroom in the Forest".  This was a two day event where we had about two hundred students from Lineville Elementary,  Ashland Elementary, Clay County Christian School, and First Assembly Christian School along with their teachers and a few parents.  The two days were great!  It is always a pleasure to share our forest with others that might not have the opportunity to GET OUT IN THE WOODS.
Feeding the catfish and watching the dragonflies catch other insects is always fun.

The hike through the forest is always fun.  This year one group saw three deer watching us as we moved alone the trail.
The last thing we do is have lunch on the ground.  Nothing like a picnic!

This event would not be possible if it were not for the many great volunteers we have on or local Forestry Planning/Treasure Forest Committee.

This is the best part of the day, when we see the last bus departs and we thank GOD for giving safety to all and knowing that maybe we have helped make a difference in the lives of these young people.

Monday, May 5, 2014

Tree Farm Assessment

Last Friday we had visitors to our property: Karen Boyd, a forester and the State Tree Farm Director, Tim Browning, a forester with the Alabama Forestry Commission and a State Tree Farm Committee member, Joann Cox, contract auditor with Price Waterhouse and Coopers and a forester, Nic Jordan, behind the camera and Clay County Forestry Commission ranger.  Joann was here to look at our forest management plan and review our property to see if we were following the standards for Tree Farm Certification.  This assessment allows us to sell certified wood from our property that is sustainable.  
Our assessment turned out well.  The assessor was very pleased with what we are doing on our property.  She gave us some of the best complements a Tree Farm owner could wish for.  She was very impressed with our outreach efforts to educate others about sustainable forest management.
They liked our signs and wanted a picture in front of them.