AISWCD QUARTERLY BOARD MEETING
                                                            FORESTRY COMMITTEE
                                                                                       March 3, 2008                
                               

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: CHAIRMAN, Bob Sloan
DATE & TIME:                                            March 3, 2008 – 2:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL:                                                4 directors, 4 advisors  

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The September 10, 2007 and December 10, 2007 minutes were reviewed and approved.
Motion by: Darrell Roegge               2nd by: Duane Snow              Carried: Yes

WORKSHOPS:
Bob Sloan reported the Walnut Council will be holding a workshop in the future.

RC Dave Bishop reported that on June 11, 2008, McLean Co. SWCD will host a tour of the “Franklin Farm Project” which will showcase conservation work.  This farm has just about every conceivable conservation practice available.  Some of the practices include tree planting, forestry practices, wetlands studies, etc.  They are offering space for booths for various organizations.  There will also be food available and there is no cost for admission.  This will be a joint effort with other partners.  There will be information going out at a later date.

The committee is planning a Tree ID Workshop this summer and incorporate significant amount of information on the Emerald Ash Borer.  This will be held at Funks Grove.  We are looking at July for a date and the charge will be the usual $15.00.   The date will depend on the current financial crisis for SWCDs.  There will be an indoor classroom available in case of bad weather.
ACTION ITEM:  RC Bishop will contact AC Roads for the number of Tree ID books to order.
AC Roads reported that we have $256.96 in the committee fund.

Illinois Forestry Association:
There are about 587 members to date.  Applications were sent out with the letters from IDOA landowners with Forestry plans.  They will have a booth at the Tri-State Forestry Conference.
A feasibility study on building a BioMass generator using wood chips in Carroll County.

NRCS Training:
A one day workshop on Forest and Invasive Plant Management will be offered at Dixon Springs Ag Center if the weather holds out.  The session is intended to update and familiarize both NRCS and SWCD staff in technical and program issues of forest and in invasive management.  Conservation Innovation Grants were discussed.  This is an untapped resource for research, demonstration projects, and education outreach in conservation.  This is especially good opportunity for forestry ideas and for districts to apply for.

*******Workshop:
*****RC & D Blackhawk Hills Mark Jackson April 11, Carroll Co.

ADVISOR REPORTS:
IDOA-Elliott Lagacy reported the Dept. are continuing to harvest and analyze survey trees in northern Illinois.  The total number of survey trees harvested for 2007-2008 now stands at 2081.
Future program will begin in April with the placement of adult traps throughout the northern half of the state.  The traps are part of a multi-state program and will be monitored from Memorial Day through Labor Day, the EBA adult flight season.

DNR: No report

NRCS: Troy Daniels reported on some up coming workshops and training.

IPWA:  Dan Schmoker is no longer with IPWA and no replacement has been announced.

OLD BUSINESS:
Summer Conference:
Due to the SWCD financial crisis, the conference has been cut short, so there may not be time for a Forestry Session.  If we do have a session, it was suggested at the last board meeting that we provide our own evaluation form at our forestry session so the committee can better evaluate the session. Suggestions for a session were discussed.  “Forestry Management Plan—Past, Present & Future” was the top idea for a session and have someone from DNR be the speaker.
ACTION ITEM: AC Roads will contact AISWCD before April 1, to see session will be available.
ACTION ITEM: Elliot Lagacy will contact a speaker for the session if we are able to secure a spot at Summer Conference and let AC Roads know.
Forestry Award:  AISWCD cancelled all awards except Farm Family due to the SWCD financial crisis.
ACTION ITEM:  AC Roads will check with Stacy to see if we can still have the Forestry Award and if so contact Illinois Forest Products as a sponsor

DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Dick Breckenridge gave a brief update on Carbon Credits and handed out a scale showing how it has rebounded.  He will be attending a meeting about a program about opening a facility to burn Emerald Ash Borer waste. 

NEXT MEETING:  June 2, 2008

 Adjournment:  3: 05 p.m.
 Motion by:  Darrell Roegge