Forestry





1.  Prepare a field notebook, make a collection, and identify

     15 species of trees or wild shrubs in a local forested

     area.  Include a written description of:

     [a]  Identifying characteristics of leaf, twig, and

           fruit samples

     [b]  The habitat in which these trees or shrubs are found

     [c]  Chief ways each tree or shrub is used by humans or

           wildlife

     [d]  The forest's successional stage, what its history

           has been, and what its future is.



2.  Do ONE of the following:

     [a]  Collect and identify wood samples of 10 species of

           trees.  List several ways each species of wood can

           be used.

     [b]  Find and examine several stumps or logs that show

           variations in growth rate in their ring patterns.

           Prepare a field notebook describing their location

           and discuss possible reasons for the variations.



3.  Be able to do the following:

     [a]  Describe contributions forests make to:

          *  Our economy in the form of products

          *  Our social well-being

          *  Soil protection and increased fertility

          *  Clean water.

          *  Clean air.

          *  Wildlife.

          *  Recreation.

     [b]  Tell which watershed or other source your community

           relies on for its water supply.



4.  Be able to describe what forest management means, including:

     [a]  Multiple-use management.

     [b]  Even-aged and uneven-aged management and the silvcultural

           systems associated with each type.

     [c]  Intermediate cuttings.

     [d]  How prescribed burning and related forest management

           practices are used.



5.  Do ONE of the following:

     [a]  Visit a managed public or private forest area with its

           manager or someone familiar with it.  Write a brief

           report describing:

          *  The type of forest.

          *  The management objectives.

          *  The forestry techniques used to achieve the objectives.

     [b]  Take a trip to a logging operation or wood-using industrial

           plant and write a brief report describing:

          *  The species and size of trees being harvested or used.

          *  Where the trees are going to or coming from.

          *  What products are made from the trees or at the plant.

          *  How the products are made.

          *  How waste materials from the logging operation or plant

              are disposed of or utilized.



6.  Be able to do the following:

     [a]  Describe the damages to forests that result from:

          *  Wildfire

          *  Insects

          *  Tree disease

          *  Overgrazing

          *  Improper harvest

     [b]  Tell what can be done to reduce these damages

     [c]  Tell what you should do if you discover a forest fire

           and how to control it.



7.  Do ONE of the following:

     [a]  Assist in carrying out a project that meets one or more

           of these objectives: timber stand improvement, watershed,

           improvement, wildlife improvement, recreation area

           improvement, or range improvement.

     [b]  Take part in a forest fire prevention campaign in

           cooperation with your local fire warden, forester, or

           counselor.

     [c]  Visit with one or more local foresters and write a brief

           report including education, qualifications, career

           opportunities, and objectives relating to forestry.