P.u.S.Hg Natural Resource Education

1. Sherry Eudy*- CEA- AG Howard Co. Carla Vaught- CEA- Staff Chair Polk Co. Rex Herring- CEA-Staff Chair Sevier Co. Dr. Tamara Walkingstick- Forestry Specialist P.u.S.H.ing Natural Resource Education A collaborative focus on trees, wildlife, & people in Polk, Sevier, & Howard Counties in Western Arkansas

2. Background Information • Private timberland owners & pro-loggers were a neglected audience • They wanted & needed an education program. • Very receptive to educational programming.

3. Planning • Extension Agents, AFC personnel, private landowners, & pro-loggers met & identified topics that needed to be addressed. • We contacted experts in these areas to address the needs of our target audience.

4. Funding • Arkansas Forestry Resource Center- First 2 yrs. $1500/Co./yr. • 3rd year funding- ANR section, Arkansas Forestry Commission, Chemical Companies • Domtar Corp., Weyerhaeuser Co., & AFC • We have been able to offer this program at no charge for participants.

5. Implementation • The Cossatot Forestry Clinic has completed its 4th year (2006) with plans to continue. • The average attendance has been ~150 people with a large number of repeat participants. • The clinics have drawn people from a 3 state area.

6. Topics have included: SMZ Forestry Chemical Chainsaw Safety Wildlife mgmt Timber Bids, Sales, & Taxes Improving Pine Plantations Nutrient Mgmt in Surplus Watershed Laws & Legislation Timber Theft Burning Penalties Endangered species Pine Plantation nutrient mgmt. Forestry Weed & Disease ID & control Wildlife Leases Site Prep- Tours

7. Clinic

8. Tour

9. Impact • Knowledge was increased in most all of the topic areas • Better managers of wildlife habitats. • A better understanding of laws & regulations concerning timber • 75% Plan to implement SMZ & BMP clauses in timber contracts.

10. Impacts • 85% indicated that they will implement safety practices when using a chain saw • 62% indicated that they will be more timely in their pruning & thinning practices • 100% of those who turned in surveys felt that it was worth their time to come to the program & felt they had gained useful information from it.

11. Youth Component • Youth are more aware of environmental issues & wanted more information. • Included training of forestry teams, shooting sports teams, wildlife habitat teams, etc. • Conducting day camps & environmental workshops

12. Youth Activities • Compass orienteering • Forestry Judging • Wildlife Habitat mgmt. & judging

13. More Youth Activities • Tree Id & using a Biltmore stick • How to make recycled paper • Hunter’s Education • Gun Safety • Protecting their Environments

14. Youth Impact • Youth have a better understanding of their environment • Can ID Native AR trees using Arkansas Tree Guide • 4 Forestry teams trained • 2 Wildlife Habitat teams trained • Youth are now involved in Wildlife Food plot establishment & maintenance.

15. Conclusion • We targeted a neglected audience. • Provided them with an educational opportunity. • Now receive continued support and repeat participation • Youth are also educated in a variety of activities & trained to be better stewards of the land.

16. Quote Far & away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing. ~Theodore Roosevelt~