Green Horizons

The Eastern Ozarks Forestry Council (EOFC), a volunteer organization bringing together a diverse list of forestry resources from the southeastern Ozarks region of Missouri, was recently awarded with an Earth Team Award from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

The Council was established to address issues and trends affecting Eastern Ozark rural communities, people and lifestyles affected by woodland management and marketing strategies. Representatives from government entities, universities, private industry, private consultants and landowners serve on the council.

Goals of the organization include increasing the knowledge of landowners and communities about the value of forest products to the region, sustainable forest management, woodland products marketing and development, best management practices and harvesting techniques.

The Eastern Ozarks Forestry Council receives its Earth Team award. From left: Roger Hansen, NRCS state conservationist; Gerald Bryan, EOFC chairman; Stan Murray, EOFC secretary; Peter Becker, EOFC volunteer; and Jeff Lamb, NRCS Area 5 Earth Team Volunteer Coordinator.

Individuals can apply to become Earth Team volunteers, or apply as a group, as did the EOFC. Earth Team groups or individuals, NRCS employees/field offices, and RC&D councils are eligible for Earth Team award nominations. The Earth Team is a volunteer program of the NRCS, designed to expand the services offered by the organization and help carry out its mission. The program began in 1982 with 327 volunteers and has grown to include more than 30,000 volunteers today.

Award nominations span the entire state of Missouri and are voted upon by a state award selection committee, appointed by the state NRCS volunteer coordinator.

The EOFC Earth Team received the award for their assistance with the Big Springs RC&D and NRCS in promoting sustainable forest management. Their Council’s efforts included sponsoring outreach events, information booths, field days, workshops and a mechanical thinning study between the EOFC and the Missouri Department of Conservation to identify which conventional or novel technologies can increase the profitability of thinning young and old Ozark hardwood stands.

The EOFC Earth Team will now advance to the regional competition, made up of six states. Upon earning a winning title at the regional competition, they progress to the National Earth Team competition.

For more information, visit www.morcd.org/bsrcd/ or call (573) 323-8496. To learn more about the Earth Team program, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/volunteers/.