Green Horizons

MCFA report to the Forestry Committee

By SHELBY JONES

MARCH 22, 2014 - For 2014, MCFA has a total membership of 47 consulting foresters. Of them, 38 are actively involved in providing forestry-related services and eight are listed as retired from active business. In addition, there is one candidate member

The annual meeting was held February 13 - 14, 2014 in Jefferson City, Mo. The major portion of the meeting was devoted to continuing education presentations over a day and a half. The program attracted 10-12 non-members and was highlighted by remote presentations in Vermont and even Australia.

The Fall MCFA Meeting will be held at the Ozark Underground Laboratory near Pro Tem, Mo. (in Taney County) on October 16, 2014. The theme will be Advancing Environmental Forestry. Program details will be available in August. This is a unique opportunity to tour a research cavern and its watershed. There will also be time to witness the nightly exit of approximately 50,000 bats from the main opening of the cave.

In 2013, MCFA approved a part-time position of Executive Director to organize and administer the regular activities of the association. This action is primarily to relieve the increasing workload of elected officers as the organization experiences growth. At the 2013 Fall Meeting in November, Shelby Jones was named Executive Director, and is now actively involved in those duties.

MCFA is also in the process of developing a series of workshops on various subjects for forest landowners, loggers and timber buyers, and professional foresters. The workshops will be offered in regional locations that are yet to be determined.

A statewide database of contact information and timber purchasing preferences for loggers and timber buyers has been compiled and is available to MCFA members for the improved marketing of timber sales. Out-of-state buyers are also included. This is potentially the most comprehensive list of loggers and timber buyers ever compiled for the state of Missouri. It will be a major benefit for private landowners who sell timber with the assistance of a consulting forester.