OUTDOOR CORNER: MISSOURI IN NEED OF FORESTKEEPERS

How healthy are your trees? How Healthy are Missouri's forests? To find out volunteers are being recruited to help get that answer. The effort is being sponsored jointly by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Forestry Division and Forest Releaf of Missouri.

Most people have heard of MDC, but who is Forest Releaf?

Forest Releaf was started in 1993 as a partnership of agencies. Releaf is a not-for-profit initiative targeted solely to assisting public forestry systems in tree planting efforts. The group focuses on cities, schools, churches, neighborhoods and civic groups are interested in public tree planting projects.

Besides getting trees in the ground, Forest Releaf wants to boost public support and understanding of urban and community forestry. The organization seeks to expand volunteer activities in communities throughout Missouri.

Which brings us to the question, "How healthy are Missouri's forests?"

To find out MDC and Forest Releaf are looking for volunteers.

The volunteers will comprise Missouri Forestkeepers Network. The purpose of the group is to be the state's first comprehensive citizen forest health monitoring program. The volunteers are to learn about and report the condition of trees and forests throughout Missouri.

To become a Forestkeeper involves a learning process. First the program is designed to teach participants about trees and forest health. It will also assist them in assessing general growing conditions. The network will also provide a means to share findings throughout the state.

Forestkeepers is an opportunity for Missourians of all ages and occupations to learn and know more about forest resources and its benefits. It will also serve a vital role in promoting health for all forested land in the state, a task too vast to remain the jurisdiction of a single agency or group.

Forestkeepers will provide not only the first statewide citizen forestry network, it will also provide an early warning system against threats to the health of forest communities such as a gypsy moth infestation.

Forestkeepers is open to any interested citizen, family or group. Volunteers are free to choose their work area and level of involvement.

Activities can range from simple observation of a backyard or private forest land to a service project on any public land such as a school or park. Volunteers are encouraged to share findings.

Volunteers can sign up now. The cost is free and is open to private landowners, rural or urban youth groups, school groups or civic and service organizations.

Each forestkeeper will receive a packet which will provide the tools and techniques to begin basic assessments. Additional materials will develop as people wish to advance beyond the basics.

Program brochures and applications for the Missouri Forestkeeper Network are obtained by calling Forestkeepers toll free at 1-888-9-Forest.

Joe Garvey is a district forester for the Missouri Department of Conservation.