Landowners Go Coastal: Conference Highlights Multiple-Use Forest Management

By Marlee Jackson
(334) 613-4219

Glinting Gulf waters and white, sandy beaches supplied the backdrop for a successful Alabama Landowners Conference - an annual event where top-tier landowners and industry experts fellowship, focus on multiple-use forest management and recognize remarkable leaders.

Coordinated by the Alabama TREASURE Forest Association (ATFA) and Alabama Forestry Foundation, the conference was Oct. 22-24 at The Lodge at Gulf State Park.

"We're grateful for all the landowners who took time to attend our conference and enjoy a few days of learning in Gulf Shores," said ATFA Executive Director William Green. "We know we're living through a difficult timber economy and that little changes to management can make a big difference for our folks' bottom line. Landowners who manage timber in seven states attended this year, and I'm hopeful they left rested and reinvigorated to better steward their properties."

A strong slate of speakers presented on diverse topics and fielded a flurry of questions from attendees. Workshops ranged from white oak management and marketing to wildlife health and enhancements.

That included an update from Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources' Marianne Gauldin. She spoke on recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) of wildlife enthusiasts.

"R3 is investing in people so people will invest in conservation. When you think of us you often think of what's on our shirt (logos) - deer and fish. But we also manage non-game species," Gauldin reminded the audience.

Other topics covered over the three-day conference included wildfires, best management practices, heirs property and an economic development update.

The Alabama Landowners Conference was Oct. 22-24 in Gulf Shores. Representatives from the Auburn University Raptor Center presented to the crowd Oct. 23.

Attendees excitedly slid out their cameras during a presentation from the Auburn University (AU) Raptor Center. The special treat included an up-close look at raptors of all shapes and sizes - from Stump, a small screech owl, to Aurea, a golden eagle known for pregame flights around Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Conference highlights included raising scholarships for AU students through a silent auction, plus the annual awards banquet.

Perry County landowner and conservationist Charles Holmes received ATFA's highest honor, the Bill Moody Award. Named after TREASURE Forest certification founder and former State Forester Bill Moody, the honor recognizes landowners for a commitment to multiple-use stewardship.

Brian Coaker of Washington County was presented the Gary Fortenberry Partnership Award. The honor recognizes representatives of government agencies, academia, industry and other forest resource organizations for supporting ATFA's mission at the county level.

Charles Holmes of Perry County received the Bill Moody Award during the Alabama Landowners Conference Oct. 23 in Gulf Shores. From left are ATFA Executive Director William Green, Holmes and Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee's Ashley Henderson. Brian Coaker, right, received the Alabama TREASURE Forest Association (ATFA) Gary Fortenberry Partnership Award Oct. 23 during the Alabama Landowners Conference in Gulf Shores. From left are ATFA Executive Director William Green, Coaker and ATFA board member Wyatt Hendry.

More awards recognized Autauga, Covington and Crenshaw counties as Outstanding Forestry Planning Committees. John and Elizabeth Gray and their Gray Acres in Eufaula received the Helene Mosley Memorial TREASURE Forest Award for south Alabama, while River Point Farms in Jackson County was honored as the north Alabama winner. River Point is owned by Gregg and Kathleen Driscoll, Marshall and Hilda Jemison, and Randy and Pamela Wilson.

Tree Farm honors were awarded, as well. Lamar Dewberry of Clay County received the Doug Link Leadership Award, while Jeremy Lowery of Butler County was named the Tree Farm Inspector of the Year. Theodore Gilbert's Carmoni Partners operation in Barbour County was honored as the Tree Farm of the Year and will represent Alabama in the regional Tree Farm contest.

An entertaining, uplifting address from former Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black closed the program. Black asked the audience to consider their motivation and noted the importance distinction between "I've got to" and "I get to."

"It doesn't make a difference if your hair is white or if you're still at the middle part of your agency career, having a firm understanding of that "why" proposition in your life is going to be key to everything," Black said. "We experience a lot of things in this journey. We really do get to do this. Now the task is before us to go to it and do it with integrity."

The ATFA is a partner organization of the Alabama Farmers Federation. Learn more about ATFA at TREASUREForest.org.