Workshop Speakers Focus On Stewardship

Speakers at a forest stewardship workshop here say patience, spirituality and education should be the foundation of any land management plan.

Wisconsin tree farmer Rachel Jordan, Benedictine nun Carol Ann Wassmuth of Cottonwood and Coeur d’Alene High School teacher Lori Frank were featured speakers at a workshop that has attracted more than 160 participants.

The workshop is sponsored by the Idaho Forest Owners Association, the Idaho Tree Farm Program and the Clearwater Resource Conservation and Development Area.

“The whole idea is to provide education to nonindustrial private landowners,” said Daniel R. Pierce, resource conservation and development coordinator.

“It’s a forum for networking and giving everyone a chance to rub elbows.”

While the two-day workshop focuses on a variety of subjects ranging from logging safety to ecosystem management, Pierce said an undertone of the conference seems to be concern over federal government policies and what impact they may have on private forest lands.

Jordan’s presentation revolved in part around the spotted owl controversy and how it impacted her work in Wisconsin.