April - June, 2010
News from Missouri
Matt L'Heureux from Piedmont, MO has been selected as the MDC State Logger of the Year for 2010. Matt will be honored with his award on July 24th at the Missouri Forest Products Association summer meeting at the Lake of the Ozarks.
The Missouri Department of Conservation started the Logger Award program four years ago. Each year foresters from all over the state nominate loggers that excel in their profession. There can be as many as eight Regional Awards given. One logger is selected from the Regional Award winners to become the State Logger Award winner.
This year two outstanding loggers were chosen as Regional Award recipients. Woody Haynes from Winona, MO was chosen as the Ozark Regional Logger of the Year for 2010. Steve Paes, MDC's forester for Ripley and Oregon counties, stated that Woody did "... superior work on the Little Black Conservation Area timber sale..." Steve also added that Woody recently worked on a private land timber sale and the landowner was very pleased with his work.
Matt L'Heureux from Piedmont, Mo was selected as the MDC Southeast Regional Logger of the Year, and was also selected as the MDC State Logger of the Year for 2010. Jason Jensen, MDC Forester for Wayne County, stated, "There are few contractors that I would let work on my personal property. In the future when I decide to harvest timber on my property, Matt L'Heureux will be the first contractor I call." Matt was nominated by three different foresters, who agree, that Matt is one of the best loggers they have ever worked with.
Criteria for choosing a logger for the award require evaluating several areas. Some of the criteria include: having a good working relationships with landowners and foresters, achieving minimal damage to remaining trees and resources, managing a harvest that prevents soil erosion and desirable aesthetics of the site after harvesting was completed, working safely and demonstrating proper use of equipment, maximizing the utilization of harvested trees, addressing wildlife management concerns, and demonstrating proper use of forest management techniques. In order to be considered, loggers must complete the Professional Timber Harvester's Training Program sponsored by the Missouri Forest Products Association and the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Both Woody Haynes and Matt L'Heureux received a Protective Kit from Crader Distributing Company, Marble Hill, Missouri. They are the exclusive distributor of STIHL Outdoor Power Equipment in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Southern Illinois, and the proud sponsor of Missouri's Logger Award program.
If you have any questions concerning the forest products industry, contact John Tuttle at (573) 522-4115 ext 3304.