Green Horizons

Over their lifetimes, many Walnut Council members have invested considerable time, money and tender loving care in managing their plantations and/or woodlands. To some, these trees are among their most valuable possessions. As many reach retirement age they begin to wonder what will happen to their cherished trees when they are gone. Some members have no children or close relatives to inherit these treasured areas. Others have children that live far away and/or have no interest in the wooded areas they love so much.

What can an individual do to ensure that their treasured forest will not be sold off and perhaps destroyed by the next owner who does not appreciate this lifelong labor of love? If a similar thought has crossed your mind recently, consider a gift of such land to the Walnut Council Foundation.

If the Foundation accepts your gift it will guarantee in writing that it will properly manage your plantation and/or woodland until the primary crop is mature and harvested. A qualified team of professional foresters will prepare and execute a management plan for each parcel of land accepted.

The execution of the plan may be carried out by the Walnut Council state chapter at field days or special handson work days as a member education exercise. Work that is not completed each year by such means will be completed by the Walnut Council Foundation hiring professionals under the supervision of an authorized local representative designated by the management committee. After harvest, each property will be reviewed by the Walnut Council Foundation Board to decide what is best for the future use and management.

The Walnut Council Foundation reserves the right to reject gifts of very young or poorly sited plantations with extensive management expenses until harvest. Each potential land gift is different and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

For more information or answers to specific questions, contact the Walnut Council Foundation, Wright Forestry Center, 1007 N. 725 West, West Lafayette, IN 47906, or (765) 583-3501.