The Dakotas

Forester
Professionals advancing the science, technology, practice, and teaching of forestry to benefit society

Inside This Volume 2, Issue 2 - Fall/Winter 2010/11

Issue:
Society of American Foresters Dakotas Chapter
Upcoming 2
Events Annual Conference a Success
New to 3 Attendees at the 2010 Society
Dakotas SAF of American Foresters Dakotas
Chapter Annual Conference
Voices from 4 were treated to presentations,
the Woods field trips, raffles, and
networking opportunities over
2011 Election 6
two cool but comfortable days
Results and
this past fall.
New Officer
Biographies
Held October 21st and 22nd,
Project 7 the event took place at The
Learning Tree Lodge at Deadwood and the
Members gather at the Mystic Miner Ski Resort
News and Mystic Miner Ski Resort at
Events Deer Mountain, near Lead. This years theme was ―Healthy Forests and
Healthy Communities‖, and featured speakers from across the nation and
the Black Hills.

The first morning began with a warm welcome from the Mayor of Deadwood,
Francis Toscana, who touched on Deadwoods history and the impact forest
fires have had on the community. He was followed by the 2010 Society of
American Foresters President, Mike Lester. Lester provided members with
a stirring history of the evolution of forestry in the United States, and his
thoughts on what defines a healthy forest.

Members heard from the Chair of the Rapid City Chamber Mountain Pine
Beetle Task Force, Bryan Vulcan. Following Vulcan, Sara Presler, the Mayor
of Flagstaff, Arizona, spoke to members about how her city deals with
maintaining healthy forests in an urban environment.
A Publication
of the Chapter officers, Tom Troxel and Frank Carroll spoke on the Forest Service
Dakotas Planning Rule, after which members were treated to a lunchtime
presentation from Peter Kolb, Associate Professor of Forest Ecology and
Society of Management at Montana State University, on utilizing lessons learned from
American forestry practices in Germany to address challenges in forest management
Foresters in the United States.
Continued on Page 3
The Dakotas Forester
Dakotas Chapter of the
Society of American Foresters
2010 Officers
Chair:
Franklin O. Carroll
Chair-Elect:
Carson Engelskirger
Secretary:
Paul Pierson
Treasurer:
Cody Hutchinson
Scholarship Committee:
Cody Hutchinson
Policy Chair:
Thomas A. Troxel
Newsletter Editor (Acting):
Samantha Wangsgard
Membership Chair:
Thomas A. Berry
Foresters’ Fund Chair:
Gregory J. Josten, CF
Continuing Education Contact:
Peter R. Schaefer, CF
Members are encouraged to submit
articles, suggestions for articles,
letters, photos and announcements.
Please send submissions to:
Samantha Wangsgard
3305 1/2 West South Street
Rapid City, South Dakota 57702
Or email them to:
samantha.wangsgard@state.sd.us
Volume 2, Issue 2 Page 2
Calendar of Events
January 31st: Dakotas Society of American Foresters Winter
Meeting and Ag Fest in Pierre. The winter meeting for the Dakotas
Society of American Foresters will be held in conjunction with AgFest
2011. The meeting is scheduled from 1:00p.m. to 4:00p.m. in the
Matthews Training Center in the Foss Building. For those unable to travel
to Pierre, the meeting will be available via conference call, please contact
Tiffany Arp at tiffany.arp@state.sd.us for more information. At the
conclusion of the meeting, the Dakotas Society of American Foresters will
be setting up and staffing a booth at AgFest 2011 at the Pierre Ramkota
River Centre. This event is from 5:30p.m. to 8:00p.m.
May 8-21st: Forestry Study Tour of Barvaria. Montana State
Extension Forestry in conjunction with the Bavarian Forestry Institute is
offering this study tour for a group of up to 30 forestry professionals,
forest landowners, and students. Spouses are welcome: 60% of the tour
will be focused on forestry issues and 40% on cultural excursions. We will
spend one week in Freising (approximately 30 km north of Munich) with
daily excursions into the surrounding area to experience and learn about
German forestry practices and local culture and history. Academics and
practicing foresters on topics including forest health management for
native spruce, pine and beech forests, practices to prepare forests for
climate change, wood markets and bioenergy, practices for long term
forest productivity, private landowner coops, and a bit of Bavarian history
and culture. The second week will consist of a tour that starts in the
Bavarian Alps including a day to tour Salzburg Austria, considered one of
the top 10 destinations in the world, progresses northward to the old city
of Nuremburg and surrounding scotch pine forests, and finally northern
Bavaria and the surrounding forests and castles. Participants can expect
to proceed on short walks (up to one mile) through both forested and city
settings, learn about German forests, management and wood utilization,
and learn about German (Bavarian) history, culture and future challenges.
Ability to speak German is not required as the tour guide, Dr. Peter Kolb –
MSU Extension Forestry Specialist is fluent and will act as a translator.
Most Germans speak some English and cultural site tours are available in
English.
A deposit will be necessary by February 1st, and full payment by April
15th. Please contact Peter Kolb for more information. He can be reached
at peter.kolb@cfc.umt.edu.
For further details please visit:
http://www.cfc.umt.edu/extensionforestry/default.htm
The Dakotas Society of American Foresters is a Chapter
within the National Society of American Foresters, a nonprofit
organization meeting the requirements of 501(c)(3).
Inquiries about the Chapter may be sent to:
Dakotas Society of American Foresters
2218 Jackson Blvd, Suite 10
Rapid City, South Dakota 57702
The Dakotas Forester Volume 2, Issue 2 Page 3

Continued from Page 1

Lunch was followed by presentations by Jim Smalley from the National Alliance for Public Safety,
GIS Foundation on forest planning at the county level and by Rob Mattox from the Black Hills Fire
Advisory Board on community wildfire protection planning. Dakotas Chapter Chair-Elect, Carson
Engelskirger and Bruce Weisman, Director of Resource Management at Mount Rushmore National
Memorial also gave the membership an update on the chapters involvement in and the Memorials
progress with mountain pine beetle management on their land.

The afternoon wrapped up with presentations focusing on forestry education and learning, from
Dianne Miller, State Coordinator for the South Dakota Project Learning Tree program and Nicomas
Redhorse, an entomologist and high school science teacher from Oelrichs, South Dakota.

The second day of the conference featured a field trip the

Mystic Miner Ski Resort at Deer Mountain and the Mount
Roosevelt Friendship Tower. At the Mystic Miner Ski
Resort, members were treated to a presentation by owner,
Kevin Klapprodt on the history of the resort. Bill Colburn
and Paul Pierson, of Neiman Timber discussed the
planning that went into and the actions taken at the resort
to manage their timber resources.

This presentation was followed by a ride up the chairlift, at

the end of which Colburn, Pierson, and Klapprodt
View from the top of Mystic Miner Ski Resort continued their discussion also touching on the unique
management considerations for the resort. These considerations ranged from terrain to building
plans and tree placement for adequate snow retention. The presenters also spoke about the
consequences the resort would have faced if no action was taken to manage their property.

After descending from the summit, the day and conference wrapped up with a visit to the Mount
Roosevelt Friendship Tower, with a presentation by Craig Bobzien, Forest Supervisor of the Black
Hills National Forest on the Deadwood Fire of 1959.

This years Dakotas Society of American Foresters conference gave members the opportunity to
hear from a diverse group of speakers on what it means to have healthy forests and communities.
Their presentations demonstrated how and why it is important cope with, learn from, and implement
management techniques that address major challenges in forest management today.

New to the Dakotas Chapter

Please extend a warm welcome the following individuals:

Tiffany Arp: Tiffany is the new Community Forestry Coordinator for the State of South Dakota,
Division of Resource Conservation and Forestry, based out of Pierre. She graduated from Michigan
Technological University with a degree in Forestry in December of 2007.

Chelsea Vollmer: Chelsea is a Forest Botanist for the USDA Forest Service, based out of the Black
Hills National Forest in Custer. She graduated from the University of Montana, Missoula with a
degree in Biology, with options in Botany and Ecology in 2003.
The Dakotas Forester Volume 2, Issue 2 Page 4

Voices from the Woods

Mountain Pine Beetle in the Black Hills a few possible solutions
By Frank J. Cross

Most of my 40 years of experience is in forest

administration and management. I was a
district ranger on two districts in the Black Hills
from 1987-1998, a special project leader for a
large blow down/spruce beetle project in
Steamboat, Colorado and before retiring from
the USFS was in charge of a 5-state Forest
Health program. I am currently a consulting
forester here in the Black Hills working with
state and private forest lands. It is with this
background that I will attempt to add some
value to the discussion on what to do about
Mountain Pine Beetle in the Black Hills.
USDA Forest Service Image

I believe the solutions to the Mountain Pine Beetle problem in the Black Hills aren’t technical
questions related to what needs to be done. Prevention and suppression strategies are well
understood and accepted as being effective. They are addressed briefly here but the real question
is ―are we doing everything we need to do‖?

Can Mountain Pine Beetle epidemics be prevented?

If sprayed properly, individual uninfected trees will be protected from bark beetles for up to two
years. Stands and multiple stands of trees are economically impractical to spray.

A November, 2007 research publication titled ―The Influence of Partial Cutting on Mountain Pine
Beetle-caused Tree Mortality in Black Hills Ponderosa Pine Stands, by J.M. Schmidt, S.A. Mata,
R.R. Kessler and J. P. Popp clearly explains what needs to happen. This publication outlines a
density management (thinning) guidelines for preventing Mountain Pine Beetle Epidemics. The
study affirms the value of reduced stocking to prevent epidemics and describes what needs to be
done when MPB is at endemic and epidemic levels. There is no debate in the scientific community
that Mountain Pine Beetle epidemics can be prevented.

Can an ongoing epidemic be suppressed?

Suppression strategies are typically aimed at reducing bark beetle numbers and future mortality
once an outbreak or epidemic has started. Many suppression tools exist. Some effective methods
include cutting and stripping the bark off infested trees or removing infested trees.

What else could be done?

Before addressing this question I want to recognize the hard work that is being done by the USFS,
the State of SD division of forestry, Custer State Park, the National Park Service, the Society of
American Foresters, Tree Farm, counties, cities, local and national politicians, the local timber
industry and a host of private individuals that manage forest lands here in the Black Hills including
private forests managers such as the Ziolkowski family and Crazy Horse. The prevention and
suppression accomplishments of this diverse group of cooperators are amazing.
Continued on Page 5
The Dakotas Forester Volume 2, Issue 2 Page 5

Continued from Page 4

I apologize in advance because I don’t know what is being done by everyone and I’m sure that in
many cases the following list of suggestions are already being implemented by some of the entities
involved. As mentioned earlier, the biological and technical questions of what needs to be done are
understood. The following list addresses how to get more prevention and suppression treatments
done in a timely manner.

1. Get decision makers committed and involved and keep them involved.

2. Ask for more funding and don’t be conservative. If funding isn’t available re-prioritize your
budget to address bark beetle prevention and suppression needs.

3. Establish bark beetle work as the number one priority and allow other work to drop off the
plate if need be. Re-negotiate annual and five year work plans.

4. Commit teams that are focused on bark beetle work with no other work priorities. Give teams the
time and resources to get work done in a timely manner.

5. Assign team leaders who are ―can do‖ people and provide them with the resources they need to
get work done.

6. Decision makers need to be willing to take responsible risks (within their authority), ask for
permission to shortcut processes (beyond their authority), challenge unnecessary specialist
requirements, encourage innovative thinking and reward successful performance.

7. Set up mechanisms for keeping the public, local leaders, politicians and decision makers
abreast of what is happening. Eliminate surprises and let each other know how you can
help.

8. Think outside the box – be creative – try new approaches:

- Could the Forest Service get a legislative exemption from appeal and other processes for
bug hit timber sales. (e.g. State Historic Preservation Office approvals, tree marking and
cruise standards).

- Is there a need to time log hauling operations to eliminate quotas between September 1 and
June 30 (when bug hit trees need to be removed from the woods).

- Would a landowner cooperative or something similar be beneficial to help landowners get

enough sale volume to get their forests treated economically?

- Others???

Frank Cross is the owner and operator of Crosscut Forestry, a forestry consulting firm based in Piedmont,
South Dakota. Voices from the Woods will be a periodic feature in the Dakotas Forester, featuring articles
submitted from members of the Chapter, or other individuals interested in contributing. Please contact the
Dakotas Forester Newsletter Editor, Samantha Wangsgard, if you would like an article included in an
upcoming edition.
The Dakotas Forester Volume 2, Issue 2 Page 6

2011 Dakotas Society of American Foresters

New Officers and Election Results
This years election concluded on November 5th. Candidates were nominated for two offices —
Chair-Elect and the now combined, Secretary/Treasurer position. The Chapter would like to
congratulate Paul Pierson on his new position as Chair-Elect, and Tiffany Arp as the new
Secretary/Treasurer. Additionally, 2010 Chair-Elect Carson Engelskirger will assume the duties of
Chair and Samantha Wangsgard will continue to be Newsletter Editor, in an official capacity.

Here is a look at your new officers:

Chair: Carson Engelskirger

Carson is currently the Forest Programs Manager for the Black Hills Forest Resource Association.
He is a 2005 graduate of The Pennsylvania State University. He joined SAF in 2003 and attended
the 2004 National Convention as a member of the Penn State Student Chapter Quiz Bowl Team.
Previously, he worked as Assistant Log Sales Manager for Baillie Lumber Company in Pennsylvania
and New York. Carson also started and ran his own tree removal business, plus a consulting and
land management firm. He is currently a member of the Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board.

Chair-Elect: Paul Pierson

Paul graduated from The State University of New York (SUNY) College of Environmental Science
and Forestry with a dual Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Resource Management and
Environmental Forest Biology and has been practicing forestry for 9 years. He has been an active
member with SAF since 1999 and was previously the Secretary for the Dakotas Chapter. Paul
became a Certified Forester in 2009. He moved to the Black Hills from the Catskills in New York to
work as a forester for Neiman Timber Company at their Spearfish sawmill. Paul is also an avid
hunter and enjoys fly-fishing and spending time in the outdoors with his family.

Secretary/Treasurer: Tiffany Arp

Tiffany was born and raised in Traverse City, Michigan. She received a Bachelor of Science in
Forestry from Michigan Technological University (MTU) in December 2007. At present she is the
Community Forestry Coordinator for the State of South Dakota Division of Resource Conservation
and Forestry (SD RC&F). Previously, she ran the Vegetation Management Program for Lake Region
Electric Cooperative in Pelican Rapids, and spent two years as the SD RC&F Community and
Service Forester in Rapid City. In her personal time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and getting out to
the Black Hills as much as possible.

Newsletter Editor: Samantha Wangsgard

Samantha is currently the SD RC&F Community and Service Forester in Rapid City. Hailing from
Springfield, Virginia, Samantha went to The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. In 2005 she
received a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies with a minor in Forest Resources.
Prior to coming to South Dakota, Samantha spent time with AmeriCorps and a Soil and Water
Conservation District in Minnesota, and as a Field Forester with the State of Minnesota in Bemidji,
Minnesota. Outside of work she is a Volunteer Firefighter. Samantha also enjoys spending as much
time as she can outdoors, and is an avid snowboarder.
The Dakotas Forester Volume 2, Issue 2 Page 7

Project Learning Tree News and Events

SD Project Learning Tree Host Forest to Product Educator Workshop
Contributed by: Dianne Miller, SD PLT Coordinator

Grade A+ was the grade earned for a SD Project

Learning Tree Educator Forestry Workshop held at
Ranch A, Sand Creek in July 2010. Thirteen educators
from across South Dakota attended the graduate credit
professional development opportunity hosted by SD PLT
and members of the Dakota SAF.

During the two and half days the participates visited for-
est sites focusing on Mt Pine Beetle infestation, timber
harvesting, a Tree Farm, fire Lookout, Grizzly Gulch fire
site and Spearfish Forest Product for a tour of the
sawmill to see the final product from the forest.
Workshop participants pose for the camera during tour

The educators raved about this experience to network with professional resource managers while
visiting the practices they referred to and for the opportunity to gain tools to use in their classrooms
(PLT guides and resources).

Due to the success of this workshop our future plans are to continue annually offering this type of
workshops for educators. I would like to extend an invitation for you to come and join us next
summer!

For more information on Project Learning Tree events or if you would like to get
involved, please contact Dianne Miller at: diannemiller@wildblue.net or 605-642-5212 (SD PLT) or
Glenda Fauske at: glenda.fauske@ndsu.edu or 701-228-5446 (ND PLT)

Dakotas Society of American Foresters is

now on the Web!

Check out our blog at:

http://www.dakota-saf.blogspot.com/
The Dakotas Forester Fall/Winter 2010/11
Inside This Issue:
Dakotas SAF Chapter Conference in Review
Upcoming Events
New DSAF Members
Voices from the Woods: Frank Cross
Election Results and 2011 Officer Biographies
Project Learning Tree News and Events
Rapid City, South Dakota 57702
2218 Jackson Blvd, Suite 10
Dakotas Society of American Foresters