DATE:              Oct. 15, 2007

TO:                    Gary VanderWyst

                           Chair, Wisconsin SAF

FROM:              Terry Strong

                           NE WI Chapter Chair SAF, 2007

SUBJECT:        Activities Report 

The Northeast Chapter of the Wisconsin Society of American Foresters and The Great Lakes Basin Program for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control cosponsored a training conference, March 6-8 at the Stoney Creek Inn in Mosinee, Wisconsin.  The conference topic focused on soil compaction and productivity.  The conference was well attended (more than 130 participants).  Comments were overwhelmingly positive.  After all of the meeting expenses were paid, the NE Chapter generated a profit of $5379.93 from registration and vendor fees.  A disbursement check in the amount of $4,072.45 (75% of total profit) was paid to the State SAF fund. 

An evaluation form was made available to participants and the response was excellent (65%).  One function of the evaluation was for the NE Chapter members to suggest topics for the fall meeting.  A poll of the members of suggested topics revealed interest in biomass harvesting, EAB, and invasive species, in that order.  Because of recent meetings involving EAB, and a workshop that was held during the summer on invasive species, we chose to pursue biomass harvesting and potential impacts on Northern Wisconsin forests as the topic for our fall meeting (November 13).  Discussions will focus on biological/ecological impacts, markets, sustainability, and implementation. 

The NE Chapter is sponsoring a plaque to be awarded each year to the WI-SAF Forester who is nominated as the Wisconsin Field Forester of the year.  This award is known as The Michael W. King Memorial Field Forester of the Year Award.  Mike was an active member of the Northeast Chapter and passed away earlier this year.