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Fundraising effort to recognize the work of Mike King (April 2008)
As a way of recognizing his numerous contributions to forestry,
particularly in Marathon County, the Marathon County Parks,
Recreation and Forestry Department is in the process of collecting
contributions for a memorial plaque for Mike King, a longtime DNR
employee and the 2002 Wisconsin Forester of the Year who died in
June of 2007.
According to Marathon County Forest Administrator
Tom Lovlien, a sign design has been done by the University of
Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Schmeekle Reserve staff. Lovlien said the cost of making the
sign (3.5 feet by 6.5 feet, hand-routed, carved, and painted,
constructed out of 4-inch thick Western red cedar supported
internally by threaded rods) is $1,150. As of April 14, 2008, about
$800 had been raised.
"The Marathon County Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department will
assemble and install the sign just west of Red Bud Road in the Nine
Mile Forest Unit," according to Lovlien. "Mike was instrumental in
the initial acquisition and was involved in the planting and
release."
This is the proposed design of the sign
honoring Mike King's contribution to forestry in Marathon County.
Lovlien said the fundraising has just started, but "Many people and
organizations that knew Mike have already contacted me offering
donations."
Assuming enough funds are raised, Lovlien said he hoped work on the
sign would be completed in June or July of this year. A formal
dedication of the sign at Nine Mile Forest Unit (4,900 acres 8704
Red Bud Rd in the Towns of Rib Mountain, Marathon, and Mosinee)
would take place in August or September of this year. Lovlien said
Mike was instrumental in the county acquiring the land and helped
facilitate the planting of trees at the site.
Anyone interested in contributing should make their checks payable
to the Marathon County Parks and Forestry Department - Mike King
Memorial. The donations should be mailed to:
Marathon County Parks and Forestry Department - Mike King Memorial
212 River Dr. Suite 2
Wausau WI 54403
If there are additional funds beyond the cost of the sign, Lovlien
said they will be sent to the Wisconsin Society of American
Foresters "to help fund another memorial in Mike's name recognizing
an outstanding member of the Society for their contributions to
forestry."
King, a DNR employee since 1981, had worked as a forester at various
locations around the state, including Mercer and Antigo as well as
Wausau. He was 51 when he died of cancer on June 3. In addition to
being the Wisconsin Forester of the Year in 2002, King was the
co-nominating forester to the 2004 National Tree Farmer of the Year
Award.
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