p.u.s.hg natural resource education
DESCRIPTION
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. P.u.S.H.ing Natural Resource Education. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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~