P.u.S.H.ing Natural Resource Education

A collaborative focus on trees, wildlife, & people in Polk, Sevier, & Howard Counties in Western Arkansas

Sherry Eudy*- CEA- AG Howard Co.Carla Vaught- CEA- Staff Chair Polk Co.Rex Herring- CEA-Staff Chair Sevier Co.Dr. Tamara Walkingstick- Forestry Specialist

Background Information

• Private timberland owners & pro-loggers were a neglected audience

• They wanted & needed an education program.

• Very receptive to educational programming.

Planning

• Extension Agents, AFC personnel, private landowners, & pro-loggers met & identified topics that needed to be addressed.

• We contacted experts in these areas to address the needs of our target audience.

Funding

• Arkansas Forestry Resource Center- First 2 yrs. $1500/Co./yr.

• 3rd year funding- ANR section, Arkansas Forestry Commission, Chemical Companies

• Domtar Corp., Weyerhaeuser Co., & AFC

• We have been able to offer this program at no charge for participants.

Implementation

• The Cossatot Forestry Clinic has completed its 4th year (2006) with plans to continue.

• The average attendance has been ~150 people with a large number of repeat participants.

• The clinics have drawn people from a 3 state area.

Topics have included:

•SMZ•Forestry Chemical •Chainsaw Safety•Wildlife mgmt•Timber Bids, Sales, & Taxes•Improving Pine Plantations•Nutrient Mgmt in Surplus Watershed•Laws & Legislation

•Timber Theft•Burning Penalties•Endangered species•Pine Plantation nutrient mgmt.•Forestry Weed & Disease ID & control•Wildlife Leases•Site Prep- Tours

Clinic

Tour

Impact

• Knowledge was increased in most all of the topic areas

• Better managers of wildlife habitats.

• A better understanding of laws & regulations concerning timber

• 75% Plan to implement SMZ & BMP clauses in timber contracts.

Impacts

• 85% indicated that they will implement safety practices when using a chain saw

• 62% indicated that they will be more timely in their pruning & thinning practices

• 100% of those who turned in surveys felt that it was worth their time to come to the program & felt they had gained useful information from it.

Youth Component

• Youth are more aware of environmental issues & wanted more information.

• Included training of forestry teams, shooting sports teams, wildlife habitat teams, etc.

• Conducting day camps & environmental workshops

Youth Activities

•Compass orienteering•Forestry Judging•Wildlife Habitat mgmt. & judging

More Youth Activities

•Tree Id & using a Biltmore stick•How to make recycled paper•Hunter’s Education•Gun Safety•Protecting their Environments

Youth Impact

• Youth have a better understanding of their environment

• Can ID Native AR trees using Arkansas Tree Guide

• 4 Forestry teams trained

• 2 Wildlife Habitat teams trained

• Youth are now involved in Wildlife Food plot establishment & maintenance.

Conclusion

• We targeted a neglected audience.

• Provided them with an educational opportunity.

• Now receive continued support and repeat participation

• Youth are also educated in a variety of activities & trained to be better stewards of the land.

Quote

Far & away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing. ~Theodore Roosevelt~