National Hardwood Magazine - November 2016

Hundreds Of Wisconsin

Hundreds Of Wisconsin Landowners Converge For Fall Forestry Festival, Hosted By Program educates landowners on forest management, celebrates good stewardship of Wisconsin lands Antigo, WI–Hundreds of landowners came together recently in Antigo’s Ray Kretz Industrial Forest to educate themselves on proper forest management and celebrate stewardship across Wisconsin and Michigan forests. It is all part of the 14th annual Fall Forestry Festival hosted and sponsored by Kretz Lumber Company Inc., headquartered here. The festival provides attendees from across the state an opportunity to unite, learn and share best practices for forest sustainability and conservancy. Festival organizers said sustainable forest management happens when educated landowners have the tools, resources and knowledge needed to effectively manage their land. This year’s festival focused on forest management practices for improving wildlife habitat and featured an expert discussion on the topic. Panel members included representatives from the Ruff Grouse Society, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and Reed and Hoppe’s Wildlife Food Plots. “Our Fall Forestry Festival provides landowners an opportunity to gather and learn from not only all of the trained professionals in attendance, but also from each other. By sharing proper technique and strategy, landowners are better educated and empowered on sustainable practices,” stated Troy Brown, president of Kretz Lumber Co. “This festival is one of the tools we use to assist landowners in achieving their property goals while also educating attendees on woodlands management.” The landowner’s Fall Forestry Festival encompassed an entire day of hands-on forest activities, including exhibitions, learning stations, tours, discussions, trainings, guest speakers and a northwoods lunch sponsored by EXPERA specialty solutions. This year’s legacy landowner recognitions included Dave Marsceau, the Duren Farm, Dennis Rezner and David and Curt Parsons. Other highlights included DNR stream shocking, cutting demonstrations, forest insect and disease discussions, horse skidding, and hayride tours of the Merry property. For over 80 years, Kretz Lumber Company has served as a leader in Wisconsin and Michigan’s professional forest consulting and lumber production. The company manufactures Hardwood lumber and veneer, and provides forest management services to private landowners throughout the midwest. For more information, visit www.kretzlumber.com. n Kretz Lumber Company staff discussed log grading with Fall Forestry Festival participants. Logger/safety trainer Lee Schauman demonstrated tree felling in the Ray Kretz Industrial Forest. 34 NOVEMBER 2016 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE

Three generations of the Parsons family were recognized as Kretz Lumber Co. Inc. legacy landowners. Representatives from Antigo Trout Unlimited answered attendee questions at the Fall Forestry Festival. Festival attendees discussed wildlife habitat with Wisconsin DNR representatives. Students from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point demonstrated their skills at wood chopping and cross cutting. NOVEMBER 2016 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 35