CADIZ, OH - Local woodland owner Robert Davis, of Copley, has been named recipient of the 2005 Harrison County Woodland Stewardship Award, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry.
The award recognizes individuals or organizations that demonstrate sound conservation practices while incorporating proper woodlot management decisions to protect the environment.
“A beautiful, bountiful woodland can remain that way if care is taken to improve and protect the renewable resources within,” said John Dorka, chief of the Division of Forestry.
Working with ODNR Division of Forestry Service Forester Jeremy Scherf, Davis learned to implement conservation practices to protect the environment during his forest management activities.
Some of the proper forest stewardship practices Davis conducted on his fields and woodlands in Archer Township include grapevine control, crop tree release, and creating a sustainable Forest Management plan. Most of Davis’ time and energy has been spent planting trees on the strip-mined areas of his property. To date, he has planted nearly 100,000 tree seedlings in an effort to return the area to the forest it once was. He has also spread his enthusiasm on to others, and has convinced some of his neighbors to reforest their fields as well, and to work with a Service Forester in the management of their woodlands. His 284 acres became a Certified Tree Farm in 2003.
The ODNR Division of Forestry manages 20 state forests on more than 185,000 acres, spanning parts of 21 counties. Using Best Management Practices (BMPs), state foresters demonstrate proper timber management within these forests. Benefits of these properly managed forests include timber, improved forest health, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, aesthetics and recreational opportunities.
Ohioans can help with protection of state forests and private woodlands. Wildfire prevention and education efforts are supported through the ODNR Division of Forestry by sales of Smokey Bear license plates which can be purchased through local deputy registrar offices, on the Internet at OPLATES.COM, or by calling toll free 1-888-PLATES3 (752-8373).