All the members and friends making it to the Section’s Spring Meeting this April enjoyed a wonderful program. The program took off with a welcome message by Chris Knopp, Forest Supervisor for the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Jerry Drury (A-S NFs) and Dwayne Walker (Future Forests Co.) provided the background, development, and challenges of the White Mountain Stewardship Contract through an in-depth powerpoint presentation. Later Sue Sitko, from the local monitoring board, explained how the monitoring standards for the contract were formulated and are applied. Jim Pitts talked about silvicultural prescriptions for restoration. Jim also helped lead part of the field tour the next day showing on-the-ground treatments designed towards restoration and community protection. Some of these projects were done in cooperation with the Arizona Game and Fish Department. There is a lot of activity going on in the eastern Arizona to create new markets for the by-products of restoration efforts while at the same time maintaining existing markets. Partnerships were a common element to these projects.

Those attending heard about State and Private Forestry and restoration efforts from State Foresters Vicki Christiansen (AZ) and Kim Kosteinik (NM). All the speakers did a marvelous job of tying their talks back into the theme of “Products of Restoration.” The level of quality for all the speakers led to a technical session with a high degree of professionalism.

The successful meeting was due to the collaboration of everybody involved. Section Secretary/Treasurer, Molly Pitts, and Northern Arizona Chapter members did much to plan the program and logistics. Chair-Elect Mary Steuver worked with Molly arranging speakers and filling in the program. Mary also worked with Al Hendricks, Recognitions Chair, to develop a nominating process for this year’s awards. Kristen Waring, NAU School of Forestry, provided technical assistance in developing electronic information and registration. Kristen did a fantastic job of facilitating the day’s technical session. Student Michael French tracked the registration. The NAU Student Chapter showed up in force and was a big help in registration and logistics. We had good eats provided by local organizations during the breaks, lunch, and the banquet. Refreshments at the breaks were sponsored by NAU Ecological Restoration Institute and NMHU Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute.

Jonathon Brooks of the White Mountain Apache Tribe was the banquet speaker and provided insights into their forestry program and the Tribal Forest Protection Act. I was honored in presenting the awards at the banquet Friday night, especially knowing some the individuals personally and their long-time contribution to the profession.

After the day of technical session, we conducted a business meeting that outlined the Section’s agenda for the rest of the year. Lynn Sprague is our District IV Councilman and spoke to us from a national and regional perspective on matters facing SAF. After the business session, the membership proceeded to the American Legion Hall for the Banquet. I will devote more space in this issue to details of the business session. Here, I want to celebrate folks’ enthusiastic participation. Many folks made the Spring Meeting what it was and we thank them.