By Jeremy Felty

On June 2nd, 90 participants visited the 190-acre Collin’s tree farm located in Jackson County, hosted by Bill and Marion Collins, the Jackson/Josephine OSWA Chapter, and OSU Forestry Extension. It was funded by a grant to OSWA from Oregon Forest Resource Institute. Bill and Marion Collins purchased their 160 acres in 1969. As hobby farmers, they soon found that they needed an additional 30 acres for pasturing cows and horses. This was the beginning of the 190-acre Double Diamond ranch. However, after 13 years, they decided to switch their focus to their forest land. The dense, vertically challenged forest was transformed over the next 35 years to not only to a healthier environment for wildlife and birds, but also one that is sustainable and less prone to severe wildfires. The key factor was the development of a road system that enabled all age, all species management by selective harvest.

Bill Collin’s begins the event with a short story about the property.

The tour discussed the history of the property, the types of forest management performed by the Collins family, living with the risk of wildfire, and dealing with fire challenges. Speakers included Bill Collins, Alan Campbell, Bill Potterf, Marty Main, OSU Extension agent Max Bennett, and Oregon Department of Forestry employees John O’Conner and Paris Drake. Eleven non-OSWA participants joined OSWA at the conclusion of the tour.

An ODF Fire Suppression Specialist Paris Drake describes the process of building burn piles.

Marty Main describes the multi-age multi-species thinning process utilized by the Collins family.

Bill Potterf describes the removal of ladder
trees while holding a large pole-saw.

UPDATE:

Chapter Valley of the Giants Tour will be held Saturday, Sept. 22. We will meet at Moonshine Park near Logsden at 9 a.m. which has restroom
facilities. From there, we will board buses to take us to our first stop of a scenic overlook where we will discuss riparian issues. Our next stop will be at the Siletz Falls fish trap and ladder with history and current activities. There will be a person from ODFW to talk and answer questions. Lunch will be at our destination at the bottom of the trail. The trail loop is 1 ½ miles. We should return to Moonshine Park by mid aftertoon. Questions call Joe Steenkolk 541-336-2955 or email Judy Pelletier judyp2530@gmail.com

OSWA of Lincoln County is sponsoring a tour to the Valley of the Giants on September 22, 2018.

This is an all day tour. We will meet at Moonshine Park at 9am, then travel 20 miles on a gravel road to the entrance of the 1 ½ mile trail head loop. The trail loops through 40 acres of old growth Douglas fir spared during the forest fire of the mid 1800’s. The trail is somewhat strenuous.

Please bring your own lunch. Drinks and transportation to the site in buses and vans will be provided with discussion of riparian issues at additional stops a long the way and at the Falls Fish Ladder if time permits.

Up to 50 people can be transported.
Transportation is limited so RSVP before Sept. 8.

Please RSVP by September 8 to the OSU Extension Service Office
541-547-6534 or Judy Pelletier at judyp2530@gmail.com

By Jim James

OSWA enjoyed another successful Annual Meeting June 28-30 in Springfield, once again hosted by Lane County’s OSWA chapter. Thursday’s mill tours and board meeting, Friday’s program, and Saturday’s woods tour were all well attended and as in 2017, Lane County was a wonderful host.

Key Note Speaker, Todd Payne, addresses 185 participants at OSWA’s Annual Meeting

Keynote Speaker, Seneca CEO, Todd Payne spoke about the importance of being a good neighbor and in addressing public concerns to protect forest landowners, wood product manufacturers, and forest operator’s ability to maintain our public license to operate. Forestry and wood products have been under the public’s microscope for a long time and being a good steward is a requirement to staying in business. He described how Seneca maintains their public license to operate.

Seneca CEO, Todd Payne, Keynote Speaker

This was one of the largest annual meetings in OSWA’s recent history. On Thursday, ninety participants visited either Seneca Sawmill’s lumber and bio-energy facilities, Rosboro’s lumber and laminated beam facilities, Northwest Hardwood’s sawmill, or Swanson Groups Plywood Plant. Thank you to Seneca, Rosboro, Northwest Hardwoods, and Swanson Group for their hospitality. Fifty-four members participated in the Thursday night board dinner and board meeting.

The program on Friday, following Keynote Speaker Todd Payne, had speakers on how to improve communications with one’s legislators, climate change, health of Oregon forests, forest pollinators, global wood supply and markets, fire season concerns, fire policy impacts, potential changes in smoke management rules, how pesticides are regulated, Forest Practices Act requirements when using herbicides, and initiative petitions at the county level to regulate the use of herbicides on forest land. Candidate for Governor, Knute Buehler, described his vision for forestry and rural Oregon. Governor Kate Brown, who was also invited, declined the invitation, sighting a conflict.

On Friday, the annually required OSWA Membership Meeting took place before lunch. Executive Director gave a State of the Association message reporting OSWA completing the 2017/2018 Workplan approved by the board, the 2017/2018 Budget is in line with expectations, OSWA is financiallystable, and it apperas OSWA will have a minor increase in membership growth for 2018. The membership nominated Ken Nygren as President Elect and Mike Barnes to continue as a Second Vice President on the Executive Committee when his term expires. The membership also endorsed a recommendation from the board to modify the OSWA bylaws to remove the vote by mail requirents and replace them with making all decisioins requiring membership approval will be determined by a vote of the members present at the Annual Membership Meeting. See details in election form and envelope in this newsletter and the article on page x about the bylaw change recommendation. At the conclusion of the Membership Meeting, President Rick Barnes passed the President,s gavel to Mike Barsotti, OSWA’s new President.

There were 185 participants who enjoyed a great program, twelve exhibitors, OSWA product sales, and a successful Silent Auction. Thank you to the exhibitors, OSWA’s Linn County Chapter who coordinated the OSWA Product Sales, Ilene Waldorf who chaired the Silent Auction, those who donated items for the auction, and the 65 bidders who paid over $5000 for the items sold at the auction.

Follwing Friday’s program there was a Silent Auction Social and OSWA’s Annual Awards Banquet. 160 enjoyed the banquet. Eveniing Speaker, Barb Lachenbruch, discussed making maple syrup from Oregon’s Big Leaf Maple.

Tom Nygren, Michael Atkinson, Gordon Culbetson, and Dick Courter at Silent Auction Social

Following Friday’s program was a Silent Auction Social followed by an Awards Banquet

2018 Chapter Outstanding Volunteers of the Year

Baker County – Bob Parker is Baker County’s Outstanding Volunteer of the Year. As the OSU Forestry Extension Agent, he has gone far beyond his responsibilities to assist the Baker County Chapter to be a successful chapter. His collaboration skills work wonders reaching out to family forest owners in Northeast Oregon. He was intricately involved in organizing two successful OSWA Annual Meetings in Baker City and has the respect of the community. Bob is retiring in 2018. His skills will be missed.

Benton County – The Benton Chapter recognized Dave Hibbs as their Volunteer of the Year for 2018. Dave’s leadership, commitment and ability to organize and delegate were critical to the very successful 2018 Tree Farmer of the Year and Neighbor to Neighbor tour of May 19 at the Carr-Oakes Family Forest. He is also an active Benton County member.

President Mike Barsotti and Ron Guttridge

Clackamas County – Rob Guttridge is only a two-year member of Clackamas County Farm Forestry Association, and at their annual meeting in 2016, he volunteered to take on the editing of our Forest Tree Leader and serve as Vice President of the chapter at the same time. He volunteers at the Hopkins Demonstration Forest workdays as well, and has helped the Clackamas County Extension with projects, programs, and tours when he is able. The chapter highly values Rob’s time and commitment to the chapter and are proud to honor him as their 2018 Volunteer of the Year.

Columbia County – Bill Hanson and Rod Nastrom are the Columbia County Volunteers of the Year. Both are active members of the Columbia County Chapter participating in the planning of and participation in most chapter events. They can be counted on when needed.

President Mike Barsotti and Mitch Clarke

Coos/Curry County – Mitch Clarke is Coos/Curry County’s Volunteer of the Year. He is currently the President of the chapter and the leader who organizes events and keeps the chapter active in the community. He has attended hearings at the Capitol and has been active in representing the chapter on Curry County After the Fire issues following the 2017 devastating fire season in Southwest Oregon.

Douglas County – Tami Braz has abundant energy. She always seems to be working for her chapter. She diligently performs the job of secretary, membership chairman, interviews long-term members for newsletters stories, compiles the newsletter, displays membership materials, and sells signs at tours & functions. She is a strong asset to the Douglas County Chapter and is their Volunteer of the Year.

President Mike Barsotti and Peggy Martin

Jackson/Josephine County – Peggy Martin is the Volunteer of the Year for Jackson/Josephine County. She is the Membership Committee Chairman and an active member of the chapter board. Peggy was on the recent Bill and Marion Collins Neighbor to Neighbor Tour committee and through her leadership, eleven new members signed up for OSWA following the event.

President Mike Barsotti with Rebecca and Rick Fain

Lane County – Rick and Rebecca Fain reside on their tree farm just north of Florence and stepped forward in 2015, as a team, to serve on LCSWA’s board and represent the Florence area of Lane County. Both are committed to supporting and attending chapter activities and willingly travel back and forth from Florence to assist with and attend all board meetings and chapter events. Both have helped organize field trips as well as provide the administrative support needed to insure such events are successful. Last year they provided special assistance helping with the planning OSWA’s 2017 Annual Meeting in Florence. This year they have been active with providing support and assistance with LCSWA planning for OSWA’s 2018 annual meeting in Springfield. Rick, along with Rebecca, are strong supporters of LCSWA and both are deserving of this special recognition as Outstanding Volunteers of the Year.

President Mike Barsotti and Jim Merzenich

Linn County – Jim Merzenich is Linn County’s Volunteer of the Year. He is a Past Chapter President, Chairman of Linn County’s Membership Committee and the web-master for the chapter. Jim is instrumental in planning and helping with all chapter activities. He has been a superb mentor to President Bill Bowling, providing guidance to him as he performs the duties as President.

Lincoln County – Tim Miller has been selected by Lincoln County’s Board as their 2018 Volunteer of the Year. Tim’s service to OSWA and the Oregon Farm Bureau as a spokes person has been outstanding. He has provided critical representation on government issues facing Lincoln County’s timber and cattle industries. He has ben involved in the County Fair, 4H, water issue regulations, and is always willing to help a friend. Tim was Lincoln County’s Tree Farmer of the Year in 2016.

Yamhill County – Yamhill Chapter’s 2018 Volunteer of the Year is Ken Nygren. Ken is a member of the Yahmill Chapter Board and serves as Treasurer. He is also, very active in organizing meetings and has led tours for the chapter and for others. Ken is a professional forester and administers a woodland management assistance program for Bell Pole which has proved very valuable for many OSWA members. He is also active in many other community volunteer activities. It is great to be able to count on him. Ken was also nominated as President Elect for OSWA at the Annual Membership Meeting on June 29th.

Washington County – Washington County Small Woodlands Association Volunteer of the Year for 2018 is Don Sohler. Don retired from Oregon Department of Forestry a few years ago, and when he saw that the Washington County Chapter needed someone to chair the Seedling Committee, he volunteered. This position gets very busy in February and March when seedlings are picked up and delivered. The volunteers who help pick up seedlings from Lewis River Reforestation are especially happy that Don has recognized the need to provide a break with lunch after arriving at the cooler and before unloading seedlings. Our seedling customers appreciate how Don accommodates them in picking up their seedlings. He has initiated new ideas to make the seedling sale run smoothly and encourage customers to join OSWA if they are not already members.

Nominees for Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year

Oregon Tree Farm System (OTFS) Awards Chairman, Dick Courter, announced the six nominees for Oregon’s 2018 Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year. Each county can have one nominees per year. Nominees are:

• Benton County – Marsha Oakes Carr
• Clackamas County – Tim Dahl and Debi Poppe
• Lane County – Linda Hull
• Linn County – Sherman and Leslie Weld
• Umatilla County – Tom and Cindy Beechinor
• Washington County – Richard and Connie Gaebel

The 2018 Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year will be announced on October 27th during the OTFS’s Annual Meeting at the Oregon Garden in Silverton. It is not too early to be thinking about who each County’s Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year nominee for 2019 will be. Each year, OSWA invites the chapter who nominated the Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year to host OSWA’s Annual Meeting and Tree Farmer of the Year woods tour as part of the meeting.

Riggin’ Slinger Award

Recent Past President Rick Barnes received the 2018 Riggin’ Slinger Award. As OSWA’s President, Rick has been a strong leader and provided guidance to OSWA’s recent successes. He and his wife Audrey have been frequent participants at legislative hearings, Board of Forestry meetings and most recently, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission meetings, testifying for OSWA on issues important to family forest owners and OSWA’s membership. Rick has also served on the Oregon Forest and Industries Council’s (OFIC) board representing OSWA. As a member of OSWA’s Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC), he has been fully engaged on all issues important to forestry for many years. Rick served two terms on the Committee for Family Forestlands (CFF), a committee appointed by the Board of Forestry to advise them on family forest issues. Rick will serve as Past President on the OSWA Executive Committee for the next two years.

President Mike Barsotti with Past President and Riggin’ Slinger, Rick Barnes

August 23 – Twilight Walk in the Woods.

Partnership event with OSU Extension, Dixonville

5:30 – 8:30 more details to follow.

Hello OSWA Members,

Check out OSWA’s news and info below:

New edition of Northewest Woodland Magazine – Summer 2018!

douglas-newsletter-2018-spring out now!

Tree Farmer of the Year 2018
Marsha Oakes Carr and Oakes Family Members

By Nancy Hathaway

Benton County tree farmers were treated to a tour of the Oakes Investment LLC property on May 19, 2018. Marsha and her brothers and sister, Duane, Darrell, Dennis and Christine, as well as Marsha’s granddaughter Kayla, all participated in the tour. Their parents, Don and Donna Oakes, former Tree Farmers of the Year, were also present.

Tree Farmer of the Year Attendees

In 1999 the LLC was formed by gifting shares to the six siblings. The parents’ goals were to keep the property in the family and keep their children interacting together in the management. This was well demonstrated at the tour. Family members accompanied each tour group sharing their knowledge of aspects of management. The whole family participates in the management of their 600 acre tree farm!

Marsha and David Carr

Our tour started at the Homestead Place, which was actually homesteaded in 1883 by Don Oakes’ great-great-grandparents. After much back and forth of ownership over the next century, Don and Donna Oakes were able to buy the property in 1987. Don actually planted many of the Doug fir on the place right after high school. He and his cousin planted 60-80 acres by pulling up seedlings from roadsides. Now these forests are ready to be thinned.

Kayla Carr at the Pond

Near the Homestead Place, we visited the pond where granddaughter Kayla Carr, age 13, and Fran Cafferata Coe led a discussion of wildlife, in particular the red-legged frog. Also nearby is a 60-70 year old stand of Doug fir. Since this stand had been lightly thinned over the years, discussion centered on alternative paths going forward.

We stopped at a young stand of fir currently being thinned by Marsha’s son Dan in his “spare” time. Starting at the bottom of a quite steep incline, he thins his way up.

Kayla Carr and Fran Cafferata Coe

On our drive through the property we noticed several very old open-grown trees; one tree’s circumference was 33 feet and about 250 years old. We also drove through the LLC’s most recent acquisition, a purchase from Weyerhaeuser to fill in some missing age classes. Marsha wanted to make sure that harvesting opportunities would be available for the grandchildren in the future.

The weather was perfect and the tour was interesting and inspirational to the 110 people attending. This four-generation family demonstrated how working together they achieve their goals of managing a fairly large amount of land. Their ultimate goal is to have the 5th and future generations involved!

OSWA’s Neighbor to Neighbor Tour &
Benton County Tree Farmer of the Year (TFOY) Tour

Carr, Oakes, Johnson Property

Tour: 8:30am to 1:30pm

Registration is required oswaevents@gmail.com

Marsha Carr and two of her granddaughters, Benton County members, are making an effort to support red-legged frogs.

Red-legged frogs are on the endangered list in California. First the girls drained the pond with some direction from ODFW.

Brian Bangs, shown here, from the Finley Wildlife Refuge showed Kayla Carr what to plant and where. 

Natalie Unrein (also shown here) and Kayla Carr are becoming great future stewards of the land.

Download the complete event flyer – click here.

Date: November 21, 2016 Time: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Place: World Forestry Center

Portland Sponsors:

• Oregon Tree Farm System
• Oregon Small Woodlands Association
• Oregon Department of Forestry
• Oregon Forest Resources Institute
• OSU Forestry & Natural Resources Extension
• USDA Forest Service
• SFI

Celebrating Our Heritage:

Focusing on Our Future Succession Planning for Your Tree Farm

Time: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m

Place: Cheatham Hall, World Forestry Center

Presenters:

• Tammy Cushing, OSU Forestry & Natural Resources Extension
• Rick Barnes, Nickel Mountain LLC, 2014 Tree Farmer of the Year
• Clint Bentz, CPA, 2002 National Tree Farmer of the Year
• Dick Courter, OTFS Memorial Fund
• Caroline Kuebler, American Forest Foundation
• Julie Woodward, Oregon Forest Resources Institute
• Annual Meeting, Workshop and Recognition Luncheon

Download the complete flyer here

Annual Meeting, Workshop and Recognition Luncheon

Do you have a succession plan for your tree farm? As American Tree Farm System celebrates its
75th anniversary, it’s a good time to look ahead at the next 75 years. Good succession planning is a
way of building shared vision and passion for the land among the family. A panel of presenters will
discuss succession planning and provide insight into important discussions to have with heirs and/or
charitable planned giving entities. Bring your family for the workshop; there will be time for any
questions you might have about communication and legal aspects of succession planning.

Tree Farm Recognition Luncheon Time: 11:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Place: Miller Hall, World Forestry Center

The workshop will be followed by a brief Oregon Tree Farm System business meeting and then a lunch honoring the County Tree Farmers of the Year. The high point of the day will be a video featuring all the County Tree Farmers of the Year and the announcement of the Oregon Tree Farmer of the Year for 2016. The workshop is free; the luncheon is $30 per person ($15 for each additional family member after 2 full registrations).

For more information, contact Anne Hanschu at 503-357-2551 or netvetrdh@gmail.com.

Download the OTFS Annual Meeting & Recognition Luncheon registration form here.
Send in, along with fees, to the address on the back.

Written by Jim James

Congratulations to the Baker County Chapter for another great OSWA annual meeting. On Friday, June 10th, an exceptional group of speakers discussed the resilience of Northeast Oregon, before and after fire, and a multiple list of challenges facing family forest owners and how one might address these issues, all was with an emphasis on the 75th Anniversary of the American Tree Farm System.

During the Membership Meeting, President Scott Hanson (Clackamas County) passed the president’s gavel to new President Rick Barnes (Douglas County). Rick will serve a two year term as President and Scott will become Past-president on the Executive Committee. Scott Hayes will step down from the Executive Committee after serving for six years. Thank you Scott for your service to OSWA. Mike Barsotti (Linn County) was nominated for President-Elect and Mike Barnes (Yamhill County) was nominated for a second term as Second Vice President.

Keynote Speaker, Tom Martin, American Forest Foundation President sets the stage for a great program

Awards Banquet

During the awards banquet, OSWA recognized eleven Outstanding Chapter Volunteers and three 2016 Riggin’ Slingers. Oregon Tree Farm System recognized Mike Cloughesy, Oregon Forest Resource Institute and Jim Johnson, OSU Forestry Extension as exceptional partners of the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), Paul Calverley received a 25 year ATFS sign, and Rick and Audrey Barnes received a sign as 2014 Western Regional Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year.

Two woods tours, an awards banquet, and a silent auction completed the three day event. Over 175 people participated in one or more of the events. Also, thank you to the annual meeting sponsors Boise Cascade, Guistina Resources, JD Fulwiler, Port Blakely, RSG, Seneca, Silke Communications, Starker Forests, Stimson Lumber Co., and Weyerhaeuser.

2016 Outstanding Chapter Volunteers

Each Year, chapter presidents are asked to identify an outstanding volunteer for their chapter to be recognized at OSWA’s Annual Awards Banquet.

Baker County

Chris & Donna Heffernan have been active volunteers on the tree school East planning committee. Donna has been one of our key Tree School East planning committee members since the program was started in 2002.

Scott Hanson & Rick Barnes present award to Donna Heffernan

In addition to attending the planning meetings and providing much valuable input, the Heffernan’s have contributed logs for classes, volunteering at the registration table and anything and everything else that needs doing. The Heffernans are assisting with a new program studying the economic feasibility of creating BioChar from forest residue.  Chris, Donna and their two sons Justin and Sheldon all work together managing the family’s considerable forestry and farming businesses which include custom haying and forest fuel reduction with their slash buster equipment. They set a great example for others.

The Heffernans were the Union County Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year in 2004 and are voluntary participants in the My Blue Mountain/East Face program. They have hosted numerous tours and forestry and agriculture workshops on their lands, providing superb learning opportunities and inspiring the audiences with their dedication and excellent work.  Chris and Donna have a long history of engaging with and supporting their community in a variety of unique ways such as offering special deer and elk hunting opportunities for disabled and disadvantaged people of all ages. Chris is a past member of the Board of Forestry. They often say, they’re “living the dream” and inspiring other folks to also passionately pursue their natural resource stewardship goals.

Benton County

Roger Workman joined the Benton County OSWA board in 2015. Even though he lives and works full-time in Albany he has taken the extra time to come to Corvallis to volunteer.  Roger enthusiastically accepted the job of Program Coordinator and has organized interesting monthly events to appeal to a variety of interests. The chapter is pleased with his efforts. He has made a notable contribution to the Benton County chapter and we’d like to honor him as our Volunteer of the Year and hope he continues as Program Coordinator for another year!

Clackamas County

Tim Dahl is our outstanding volunteer for 2016. Tim has been invaluable to CCFFA for the time he puts in as Secretary/Treasurer, keeping track of what we are doing and where we are going. He is on the finance committee, works with Jim Schreiber on the burn committee and on tours where needed. He is a Master Woodland Manager.

Columbia County

Columbia County outstanding volunteers are Scott and Sue Russell. What can I say. It is long overdue that the Russell’s are recognized. Columbia County Past president, vice president, secretary, always there to help with a great attitude, a smile and something funny to say. They have been active in state events like Day at the Capitol and Board of Forestry meetings, representing Columbia County.

Coos/Curry County

Jayson Wartnik is the past president of the Coos/Curry County chapter. As president he spent countless hours volunteering to set up tours and lead chapter events. He continues to serve on the chapter board and participates in most chapter activities. Jayson has been a key player in the chapters recent success.

Douglas County

Colene Freadman is the 2016 Outstanding Volunteer of the Year for the Douglas County Chapter. For years, Colene has been a willing worker for our chapter, filling in where needed and assisting when times get busy—for instance, when we hosted two OSWA Annual Meetings in a row. In addition, we have on-going gratitude for her leadership in securing a bond measure that provides permanent funding for the Extension Forestry program in Douglas County.
Most recently, Colene accepted the on-going job of updating and managing the Douglas County portion of the OSWA website. This is a very important communication tool and she is doing a fabulous job of keeping it current and accurate. Thank you Colene for your energy and helpfulness. You help make our Chapter a success!

Scott Hanson & Rick Barnes present award to Colene Freadman

Lane County

The Lane Chapter recognizes Steve & Wylda Cafferata as volunteers of the year.  They have both been committed to volunteering for LCSWA’s events.  Steve providing members professional input on forest management processes and Wylda with the planning and coordinating of field events. Over this past year both have committed many hours of their time and services to LCSWA, which we are very thankful for and appreciative of. Steve also volunteers his time as a member of the state’s Emergency Fire Funding Committee representing family forest owners. His experience has been needed as Oregon has experienced three bad fire seasons in a row.

Scott Hanson & Rick Barnes present award to Steve & Wylda Cafferata

Lincoln County

Andy Kittel is the Lincoln County Outstanding Volunteer. As an active member of the chapter board Andy provides advise and leadership on the many issues the chapter needs to address. He volunteers his time to make sure OSWA at the state level is successful as well as the county chapter. He actively participates in chapter and state level events and can be counted on when needed to make an OSWA event successful.

Lincoln County Members Gary Springer & Peter Bregman assist Scott Hayes to present the award to Andy Kittel

Linn County

Money earned from our annual Seedling sale is used, in part, to provide college scholarships to deserving Linn County students who major in forestry or other related fields. For more than ten years Katie Kohl has been our Scholarship chairperson, managing this program. Katie works with advisors at each of our areas high schools to insure that we have the best pool of candidates possible and then oversees the selection process. Linn County members get a chance to meet our scholarship recipients at our annual meeting when they are introduced by Katie and relate their experiences.

Katie has remained active in both the Oregon Small Woodlands Association and her community. She has served as a board member and has been secretary of our chapter. She has also consistently helped with our seedling sale and the associated “Goods from the Woods” display. Currently she is a board member of the South Santiam Watershed Council, a U.S. Forest Service outdoor school steward, and a member of the Sweet Home Tree Commission.

Washington County

Washington County Volunteer of the year is Bill Triest.  Bill presently heads up our program committee and has had that role for the last 6 years at least.  In that capacity he, along with the rest of the program committee, organizes the topics for our monthly meetings, identifies and coordinates with speakers, assists with publicity for the meetings and introduces speakers to our members at the meetings.  He pays careful attention to the topics presented so we get a wide variety of program topics for our members to enjoy.  Typically, our meetings are well attended and a big reason for that is the careful consideration that Bill gives to what is being presented.  Identifying tour opportunities for the summer is another responsibility of the program chair and Bill has also come through for us on that.  We’ve visited a number of interesting sites over the past several years.  In addition to being the program chair Bill has also served as a board member in the past, volunteered with our annual plant sale, and has attended numerous small woodlands events.  He is dedicated to his tree farm and dedicated to our organization and we appreciate the work he has done for the Washington County Small Woodlands Association.

Yamhill County

The Yamhill Chapter Small Woodlands Association’s volunteer of the year is Susan Watkins. She is very involved in our local chapter having served on our Board of Directors and has given countless updates at our chapter meetings on various forest and important local issues. Susan has been a member of the Department of Forestry’s Committee for Family Forestlands from 2008-2015 and was acting chair in her final year.  As a member of the Committee for Family Forestlands, Susan helped organize an Oregon Board of Forestry tour of western Oregon tree farms.  She was a co-author of the “Ties to the Land” succession planning program, which has been in use in Oregon and across the country for the past decade.  Susan has spoken at a number of Board of Forestry and State Legislative hearings on behalf of small forest owners.

She is a Master Woodland Manager (2002 class).  Susan has twice written “op-ed” articles about forestry and small forest organizations for her local newspaper, the Yamhill Valley News Register.  She has also given presentations on Oregon resources for small forest landowners at OSWA and WOWnet meetings and 5th graders at the Cruickshank Woodland tour. Oregon State University College of Forestry Extension has honored Susan for her volunteer services on behalf of small woodland owners. Susan and her husband, Arnie Hollander are Yamhill County’s Tree Farmers of the Year for 2016.  We are indebted to them both for their service.

2016 Riggen’ Slinger Award

Each year OSWA selects an OSWA leader as the Riggin’ Slinger. A Riggin’ Slinger is responsible for all the activities in an active high leading logging operation. Things can go wrong and the Riggin’ Slinger is the one who solves problems and keeps everyone safe while meeting the overall objective of keeping logs moving to town. OSWA will recognize three Riggin’ Slingers in 2016.

President Rick Barnes presents Riggin’ Slinger Awards to Greg Peterson, Gary Springer, and Scott Hanson

Scott Hanson has served as President for the last two years at a time when OSWA had a multitude of challenges. The Board of Forestry’s riparian rule making process, a contentious 2016 legislative session, and keeping OSWA healthy financially and growing the OSWA membership. Under Scott’s leadership OSWA had a big impact on the Board of Forestry’s riparian rule decision as he led OSWA’s Water Quality Team, we survived the challenges at the capitol, membership grew in both of the last two years, and OSWA’s financial condition is healthy. Scott has demonstrated the skills of a Riggin’ Slinger.

Greg Peterson was key in OSWA’s approach to influencing the Board of Forestry’s riparian rule making process. OSWA’s Water Quality Team made countless testimony to the Board of Forestry. Greg Peterson was a work horse on the team. He spent over 1000 hours of time reviewing the results of the RipStream study, preparing professional testimony to the Board of Forestry on the short comings of the study, and together with the team influenced the outcome in a way positive for forest owners. Greg has also represented OSWA’s interests in the Department of Environmental Quality’s Mid Coast Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) process. Greg has demonstrated the skills of a Riggin’ Slinger.

Gary Springer has been a leader and advocate for family forest owners for decades. Past member of the OSWA board, actively engaged in the Board of Forestry’s riparian rule making process in the 1990’s, member of the Board of Forestry appointed Committee for Family Forestlands (CFF) who advises the board on family forest issues, and most recently a member of the Board of Forestry. He was the only member of the board with any practical forestry experience when they recently made their decision on the riparian rules. There is no doubt, without Gary’s leadership during the riparian rule making process, forest owners in Oregon would have been unnecessarily harmed by regulation not supported by science. Gary’s interface with the Environmental Quality Commission greatly influenced the outcome. Gary received the Riggin’ Slinger award in 1999 and he has not slowed down. Gary continues to demonstrated the skills of a Riggin’ Slinger.

Silent Auction

This year’s Silent Auction brought in about $3400 that will be used to support OSWA’s regulatory and legislative issues. Participants had a broad range of items to bid on. Thank you to all who made donations for the silent auction. Also, thank you to all who bid on and purchased the items. The Silent Auction revenue has become an important part of OSWA’s annual budget. Special thanks to Chair Ilene Waldorf, Denise Russell, Jan Oyala, Jen Rains, Coleen Freadman, and others who helped on the auction.

Bidders survey the Silent Auction Items