AISWCD QUARTERLY BOARD MEETING
FORESTRY COMMITTEE
March 5, 2007
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: CHAIRMAN, Bob Sloan
DATE & TIME: March 5, 2007– 2:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL: 3 directors, 4 advisors, 1 guest
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The December 11, 2006 minutes were reviewed and approved.
Motion by: Darrell Roegge 2nd by: Duane Snow Carried: Yes
FORESTRY HERBICIDE WORKSHOP:
Bob Sloan reported on the Forestry Herbicide workshop on Feb. 16 in Morrison, IL. They had 42 participants and the feedback was good. It was sponsored the Northwest Forestry Association, the Walnut Council, Illinois Forestry Association, and the AISWCD Forestry Committee.
TREE ID WORKSHOP:
Dave Bishop reported that the workshop was cancelled due to financial constraints for the presenters and some attendees. Any future workshops will depend on travel funding for instructors and employees.
IFA:
Bob Sloan reported that they are hoping to increase their membership with a membership drive. They have the new brochures printed and they will be sent with applications. He is hoping to have 600 members by the end of the year. The AISWCD and the Illinois Forestry Association amended their agreement due to Sarah Dillman being employed as a fulltime employee for the AISWCD and the new location for the AISWCD office.
ILLINOIS FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL:
Bob Sloan and other members met to develop a position paper to present to Dept. of Revenue.
They agreed that most of the bill be kept intact but had a couple of recommendations.
ADVISOR REPORTS:
IDOA- Elliott Lagacy reported nothing new really. He did attend the Illinois Forestry Development Council meeting. They covered some GIS info and the taxation issue. There will be another meeting end of March. Still addressing the issue of the emerald ash borer.
DNR- Wade Conn was absent.
NRCS –Kathy McTighe reported on the Managing Land with Agroforestry Workshops that was held February 6, 2007. They had about 25 participants at Starved Rock, Utica. Bob Sloan thought that is was a very good workshop. The workshop for Feb. 8 at Mt. Vernon was cancelled due to lack of interest. There are about 500 Forest Management Plans pre approved for EQUIP. Discussion was held on the quality of work being done on the plans and how they are getting processed. Bill Gradle, NRCS State Conservationist joined the group and gave some comments on the budget and hoping to have funds to help implement Forestry programs.
WOOD PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION- Dan Schmoker was absent.
DISCUSSION ISSUES:
D.O.R. Forest Land Tax
Forest Management Plans
NEW BUSINESS:
Forestry Award- The information is found on the AISWCD website.
ACTION ITEM:
AC Roads will send out email encouraging SWCDs to submit an entry.
ACTION ITEM:
AC Roads will contact Illinois Forest Products with details on co-sponsoring the award.
Summer Conference Session- Discussion was held and the group wishes to have a session and the topic will be on Invasive Species, especially the emerald ash borer. Depending on the time frame they also have speakers lined up.
A motion was made to request a session at Summer Conference.
Motion by: Duane Snow 2nd by: Darrell Roegge Carried: Yes
ACTION ITEM:
AC Roads will contact Erin Pate about the Forestry Session and when the forestry award will be presented if we have a winner.
Future Workshops-
Blackhawk Hills RC&D and Northern Illinois Forestry Association are planning on a Forestry Workshop in Sept., 2007. No final date or place has been decided, but the planning process has begun.
The International Wood Collectors Society will be holding their international meeting on July 11-17th, 2007. This is a very unique group of people. One of the of best ways to share your experiences with and/or learn more about forests, trees and their wood from botanists, dendrologists, wood collectors, woodworkers, and other wood lovers, is to attend a local, regional, or international meeting (also called "woodfest") of the Society.
NEXT MEETING: June 11, 2007
Adjournment: 2:59 p.m.
Motion by: Darrell Roegge