Forestry Group
Marks Century Of Progress
By Linda
Breazeale
MISSISSIPPI
STATE -- Good management and planning during the last
century is paying off in the abundance and health of U.S.
forests.
Marking
the centennial anniversary of its founding, the Society of
American Foresters recently compiled a list of
forestry-related advances in the United States during the
past 100 years. With about 700 professional members in
Mississippi, the state organization works with the national
group to make advancements in forestry.
Jim
Walley of Ellisville, state chair of SAF, said use of
satellites is one of the most exciting modern
advancements.
"We have
a new era of field data available to us, and it is more
affordable than ever. Through the use of satellites we can
easily locate remote areas in the forest, map and determine
acreage, and track insect and disease development," Walley
said.
"Advanced
technology has helped us reduce waste by allowing us to use
every part of the tree," Walley said. "In addition to lumber
and paper coming from trees, the resins, cellulose, bark,
scraps and even the sawdust are turned into products that
range from medicines to camera film to rugs."
Through
technology such as satellite imagery, foresters can monitor
the health of the forest, target management activities, map
fire outbreaks, and identify wildlife and fish habitat for
protection.
Bob
Daniels, forestry specialist with Mississippi State
University's Extension Service, said the country has more
trees today than it did in 1920 on about the same amount of
forestland.
"The
tremendous amount of reforestation is a strong indicator we
are protecting forests as renewable resources," Daniels
said. "Despite the increased population and urban growth,
American foresters and landowners continue to prepare for
the future by replanting and protecting trees for the next
generations."
Daniels
said municipal ordinances, civic involvement and the
increase in urban forestry enhances the quality of life and
saves energy costs and usage. City planners have worked hard
to plant and maintain millions of trees across the
country.
Top
Ten Forestry Advances
- Satellite
imagery and other technology
- Affordable
products and waste reduction
- Fire
protection
- Reforestation
- Urban
forestry
- Return
of wildlife
- Wilderness
protection
- Recreation
- Research
- Professional
education
"At the
turn of the century, wildfires annually burned across 20 to
50 million acres of the country each year, with devastating
loss of life and property," Daniels said. "Through
education, prevention and control, that amount has been
reduced 90 percent to about 2 to 5 million acres a year.
Additionally, we've studied and better understand fire's
contributions to forest health."
Species
such as white-tailed deer, wild turkeys and wood ducks were
almost extinct at the turn of the century.
"Wildlife
conservation and improving habitats have helped those
species and other populations flourish," Daniels said. "Now,
foresters work with other professionals to improve habitats
and ensure survival of other wildlife species."
Millions
of people are drawn to U.S. forest land for recreational
activities each year as they retreat from urban
sprawl.
America's
first wilderness areas were established by the U.S. Forest
Service in the 1920s. There are now 95 million acres in the
wilderness system, and 149 million more acres in parks,
wildlife refuges and other set-aside land, by far more than
any other country.
"Early
decisions made about U.S. forests were based on what worked
in Europe. Since then, U.S. forest researchers have sought
ways to control insects and diseases, improve growth rates,
enhance soil and water conditions and to understand other
variables that make our forests among the most productive,
sustainable and healthy in the world," Daniels
said.
Progress
in professional forestry education has been the underlying
foundation that brings all the advancements and successes
together.
"A
century ago, there were no professional forestry schools in
the United States. Now, the Society of American Foresters
accredits 48 universities, including MSU, to offer
specialized forestry educations," Daniels said.
Since
1900, the Society
of American Foresters
has provided access to information and networking
opportunities to prepare members for the challenges and the
changes that face natural resource professionals. SAF
members include nearly 18,000 professionals who are
dedicated to improving the health and productivity of
forests.
-30-
Released:
June 19, 2000
Contact: Dr. Bob Daniels, (662) 325-3151
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