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The
mission of the New York Forest Owners Association (NYFOA) is to promote
sustainable forestry practices and improved stewardship on privately
owned woodlands in New York State. NYFOA is a not-for-profit group of
people who care about NYS trees and forests and are interested in the
thoughtful management of private forests for the benefit of current and
future generations.
Through local chapter and statewide activities such as
woods walks and tours, the bi-monthly New York Forest Owner
magazine, and affiliation with other organizations with similar
objectives, NYFOA helps woodland owners to achieve their management
objectives for their properties and encourages the appreciation of the
qualities and importance of New York’s forests.
Charlie Mowatt
Honored with Heiberg Award
The
Heiberg Memorial Award, memorializing Svend O. Heiberg, a
world-renowned professor at SUNY College of Environmental Science and
Forestry, recognizes outstanding contributions to forestry and
conservation in New York. Heiberg was one of the original founders of
the New York Forest Owners Association in 1962. The award was presented
to Charlie Mowatt at the Association’s annual membership meeting held
Saturday, February 25 during the New York Farm Show on the New York
State Fairgrounds in Syracuse.
Charlie started his
career as a DEC forester in 1961, working in Region 9 in the western
part of the state. Over the course of his 32 year career he served as a
forester and a supervisor in both Regions 8 and 9. He and his staff of
up to nine foresters and technicians managed thousands of acres of
state forest for multiple goals. They used commercial timber harvests
to create a variety of wildlife habitat and to maintain a diverse
forest composition while generating revenue for the state at the same
time. Charlie and his crews also managed oil and gas extraction in
state forests back in the 1970’s when the first oil shocks rocked the
country, allowing the underground resources to be tapped while
protecting the forests and using the activity to further other goals
such as improving public access to state land.
Charlie
has also been active in NYFOA for many years. When I took an interest
in managing my woodlot, Charlie was the first person to visit in the
guise of a Master Forest Owner. I found our discussion at that time,
and the many discussions we have had since, both educational and
inspirational. And I am not alone in feeling that way; many people
speak of Charlie as a mentor who helped them recognize and realize the
benefits of active forest management. Charlie served NYFOA at both the
state and chapter levels. In addition to holding many offices, he was
long a fixture at the NYFOA booth at the annual Rural Landowner
Workshop in Yorkshire, the largest workshop of its kind in the state.
In
recognition of Charlie’s many contributions to NYFOA, he received the
Outstanding Service Award in 1998, and in 2006 he and his wife Marian
receive the Chapter Service Award from the Allegany Foothills Chapter.
As
I was talking to Charlie to collect information for this article, he
kept diverting the conversation. While I wanted to ask him about the
past and what he had accomplished, he kept turning the conversation to
the present and the future. He does not want to rest on the laurels of
his long career. He still has an infectious enthusiasm for
forestry and a great deal of passion for the future of New York’s
forests. That focus on the future exemplifies why Charlie was chosen to
receive the 2012 Heiberg Award.
Mike Seager (left) awarding the Heiburg Award plaque to
Charlie Mowatt. Feb 2012
Hans and Joan Kappel receive the
Outstanding Service Award.
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NYFOA News
Looking for an event in your area? Click on Chapters
above and visit the chapter pages to find out what's happening!
Watch all the Woodlot Owners
seminars presented at the 2012 Farm Show on the Northeast
Agricultural Farming website here>>>
Private
woodland owners have an added option for connecting with other woodland
owners and educational resources. A social network site, http://CornellForestConnect.ning.com
allows woodland owners to learn about the ecology and management of
their property’s resources and connect with other woodland owners
having similar interests.
The social network
site is part of the Cornell University Cooperative Extension
ForestConnect program. ForestConnect is an educational and applied
research program of Cornell University and Cornell Cooperative
Extension. The goal of ForestConnect is to support the sustainable
production of private woodlands in New York (and beyond) through the
provision of educational assistance. ForestConnect is a broad and deep
program and works with numerous colleagues, cooperators, and partners.
For more information about ForestConnect, visit the main website at www.ForestConnect.info
Peter Smallidge to Receive Technology Transfer Award
from SAF >>> read more
Check out NYSDEC Division of Lands and Forests new
e-newsletter here
The forestry community loses a friend and advocate with
the passing of Michael C. Greason. Read
about Mike here
DEC Releases Strategic Plan for State Forest Management
Selective Logging-
The Hidden Disaster of New York's Forest Economy- What Woodland Owners
Should Know- read this new publication by the Capital District Chapter
of NYFOA here>>>
Pinchot's
Last Crusade Read the story of high-grading and forest exploitation
and how to prevent this in your woodlot.
Visit Cornell Cooperative Extension's new Woodland
Owners' Forum
NYS DEC Firewood Restrictions to Protect
Forests from Invasive Species- Frequently Asked
Questions for Firewood Regulation
The
New York Forest Owners Association presented its Outstanding Service
Award to Capital District Chapter members Hans and Joan Kappel. The
award recognizes outstanding service to the Association membership.
Joan and Hans reside in Altamont New York and in numerous ways through
the years Joan and Hans have worked to improve the effectiveness of
NYFOA’s outreach and education.
Joan’s service on the board of directors is remembered in part by her
efforts on the Forest Owner editorial committee, including years as a
very conscientious proof reader. In addition to years of service on
CDC’s steering committee, she was CDC’s membership secretary for many
years, keeping excellent records and pioneering the use of email
notifications in our Chapter. Keeping us up to date on important
happenings in and outside the immediate area was an important benefit,
and, served to further interest in chapter events.
Hans created CDC’s large three panel display some years ago and has
continued to keep it current. More importantly, he has seen to its safe
transport and use to any and all appropriate events, irrespective of
the when and where around CDC’s eight counties. The display was
always present at county fairs throughout the area and the Woodworker’s
Showcase in Saratoga each year. In addition to setting up and managing
the display, he kept a well stocked reserve of publications on hand for
distribution. When displays from all chapters were shown at the annual
membership meeting in February at SUNY-ESF, his was frequently voted as
the best display.
Joan and Hans
regularly participated in “Forest Awareness Day” to visit with
Legislators and staff at the State Capitol on forestry issues, and held
wood walks on their property. They also demonstrated their
dedication to NYFOA and its ideals by arranging each year for our
annual picnic at Thacher State park, which overlooks Albany County. In
addition to reserving and making program arrangements for a large
private picnic area, Hans barbequed chicken on site each year with his
own elaborate setup.
Without fan
fare, Joan and Hans for years have demonstrated a quiet but outstanding
model in volunteerism for all of us to emulate.
We salute Joan and Hans, and thank NYFOA
for awarding them this year’s Outstanding Service Award.
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