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GIRARD —
This year the Kickapoo Tribe will host the Fall Forestry Field Day on their Pow Wow grounds located immediately west of Horton. The Tribe has been in its present area since the 1832 Treaty of Castor Hill. The reservation’s current size is 19,200 acres.
Since the reservation sits on a rock formation which blocks access to groundwater, water shortages have been an issue for the Tribe which uses the Delaware River as its water source. Consequently, a large focus of the Fall Forestry Field Day will be the important role trees play in sustaining water quality and quantity.
The day will begin with a welcome from Tribal Chair, Steve Cadue, followed by ceremonial prayer, and an overview of the natural resources management of the reservation by Curtis Simon. There are also rumors that Smokey Bear may make a personal appearance!
The Kansas Forest Service, Kansas Forestry Association, Kansas Tree Farm Committee, and the Kansas Chapter of the Walnut Council place a lot of value in recognizing woodland owners who are good stewards of their forest resources. At the field day, these landowner service-oriented groups will collectively recognize Paul Dean and his family as the 2012 Forest Stewardship Tree Farmer of the Year. The Dean’s have done an exceptional job managing the rangeland and woodlands on their Greenwood County Tree Farm through tree planting, timber harvests, timberstand improvement projects, and native grass buffer establishment. Paul has also milled logs left over from timber harvests, dried the lumber in a kiln he built, and utilized the wood in a variety of projects. Additionally, Paul has donated his legal expertise as a lawyer to assist the Kansas Forestry Association with their articles of incorporation as a non-profit. One of the great benefits of the field day is the venue it provides for woodland owners to swap information about successful projects, lessons learned, and experiences with forestry consultants, loggers, and all the players necessary for forest management.
Featured at the field day will be a successful streambank restoration project on the Delaware River where bank loss from erosion was threatening the Kickapoo Pow Wow grounds. This project reformed the “U” shaped stream channel to a gentler slope, placing rock at the toe (the point where the streambed joins the streambank). Rock “veins” were also built into the channel to deflect flow from the streambank and to trap sediment. Willow cuttings and some trees were also planted to assist with stabilization. Marlene Bosworth, Delaware River Water Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) Coordinator, and Phil Balch, a nationally recognized expert in stream restoration, will lead a discussion about stream restoration techniques, local water quality issues, and solutions for addressing them.
This year the Kickapoo Tribe will host the Fall Forestry Field Day on their Pow Wow grounds located immediately west of Horton. The Tribe has been in its present area since the 1832 Treaty of Castor Hill. The reservation’s current size is 19,200 acres.
Since the reservation sits on a rock formation which blocks access to groundwater, water shortages have been an issue for the Tribe which uses the Delaware River as its water source. Consequently, a large focus of the Fall Forestry Field Day will be the important role trees play in sustaining water quality and quantity.
The day will begin with a welcome from Tribal Chair, Steve Cadue, followed by ceremonial prayer, and an overview of the natural resources management of the reservation by Curtis Simon. There are also rumors that Smokey Bear may make a personal appearance!
The Kansas Forest Service, Kansas Forestry Association, Kansas Tree Farm Committee, and the Kansas Chapter of the Walnut Council place a lot of value in recognizing woodland owners who are good stewards of their forest resources. At the field day, these landowner service-oriented groups will collectively recognize Paul Dean and his family as the 2012 Forest Stewardship Tree Farmer of the Year. The Dean’s have done an exceptional job managing the rangeland and woodlands on their Greenwood County Tree Farm through tree planting, timber harvests, timberstand improvement projects, and native grass buffer establishment. Paul has also milled logs left over from timber harvests, dried the lumber in a kiln he built, and utilized the wood in a variety of projects. Additionally, Paul has donated his legal expertise as a lawyer to assist the Kansas Forestry Association with their articles of incorporation as a non-profit. One of the great benefits of the field day is the venue it provides for woodland owners to swap information about successful projects, lessons learned, and experiences with forestry consultants, loggers, and all the players necessary for forest management.
Featured at the field day will be a successful streambank restoration project on the Delaware River where bank loss from erosion was threatening the Kickapoo Pow Wow grounds. This project reformed the “U” shaped stream channel to a gentler slope, placing rock at the toe (the point where the streambed joins the streambank). Rock “veins” were also built into the channel to deflect flow from the streambank and to trap sediment. Willow cuttings and some trees were also planted to assist with stabilization. Marlene Bosworth, Delaware River Water Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) Coordinator, and Phil Balch, a nationally recognized expert in stream restoration, will lead a discussion about stream restoration techniques, local water quality issues, and solutions for addressing them.
Knowing how to successfully plant trees and shrubs can save a lot of heartache and wasted resources. Luke Terry, Environmental Director of the Kickapoo Tribe and consulting forester, will lead a session on appropriate tree planting techniques and considerations.
For many people, understanding the basics of tree identification is the first step to caring for woodlands and trees. Dr. Charles Barden, Kansas State University Research and Extension Forester, will walk participants through the woods while offering helpful tips on identifying Kansas trees.
Managing woodlands and grasslands to provide the best habitat possible for wildlife is often a primary goal for many woodland owners. Holly Wilkins, Pheasants Forever Biologist, will teach participants how to assess the quality of wildlife habitat and suggest practices that can make a better home for the animals they want to see.
