1. Spring / Summer

Northwest Forest Soils Council Newsletter

Contents:

Some notes from the President

Minutes from the 1999 Winter Meeting and Treasurer’s Report

Individual Investigator Reports

NWFSC T-shirts

Summer Field Trip Note: early registration needed to obtain University housing!! (June 1^st)

The winter meeting celebrated the 50^th anniversary of the Northwest Forest Soils council We had an excellent opportunity to review what was of interest in forest soils when the council started, how things are today, and what we might need to be thinking of in the future. We also got a chance to review photographs from past field trips and see some familiar faces from a ‘few’ years ago. With great talks, and cake, pizza and champagne, it was a great winter meeting. Many thanks to past president and chair of the winter meeting, John DePuy for all of his efforts!

This year’s field trip will be in the Okanogan area of British Columbia. Please see the registration materials enclosed and be sure to sign-up early if you would like to have a room at Okanogan University.

Next year’s field trip will revisit Mt. St. Helens. Twenty years will have passed since the last eruption. A suggestion was made to go to Alaska for the 2001 field trip as it has been many years since this group had a field trip that far north. The last field trip to Alaska was to Fairbanks in 1986; only one other field trip went to Alaska before that (1969). We are looking for suggestions as to places and contacts to arrange an Alasks field trip, so if you have ideas please bring them to the summer meeting.

Some discussion was held regarding the need to increase attendance at the field trips, especially for graduate students. As you can see from the Treasurer’s Report, we are very financially sound, therefore we are going to experiment this year and offer a special deal for students:

All students preregistered for the field trip by June 1^st get half off their registration fee!

Students will need to have their advisor sign their registration form and list their institution to get the special offer.

Any questions, please feel free to contact me at:

zabow@u.washington.edu or College of Forest Resources, Box 352100, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195; 206-685-9550

See you this summer! Darlene Zabowski

The meeting was held at the World Forestry Center, Portland, OR on Friday, January 29, 1999.

John Depuy, (1997-1999 President) commenced the meeting at 9:30 am.

The theme of the winter meeting was "Back to the Future: The Last Fifty Years, The Next Fifty Years", celebrating the 50^th birthday of the Council. The first presentation was on Forest Soils and the Council: The last Fifty Years by Rob Harrison and Darlene Zabowski of the U of W. Darlene showed slides of past summer tours of the Council. Rob Harrison introduced a forest soil problem list as presented by Stan Gessel to members of the "Forest Soils Committee of the Douglas-fir Region" (later the Northwest Forest Soils Council) on April 12, 1949. The first conference on forest soils, held in Portland, OR on September 15, 1948, had concluded that little was known about forest soils of the Northwest.

Thirteen questions were selected by Dick Miller and Rob Harrison from the list of 62 original questions listed by Stan Gessel. These were passed out to the Council and they were asked to determine if questions deemed important 50 years ago were still important today. Questions considered important today included mycorrhizae and its relationship to tree growth, the effect of logging on soil and litter production and decomposition, and the maintenance of soil organic matter. Forest Soils and the Council in the Present Day was led by Tom Terry of Weyerhaeuser Company. A review of the Council charter was initiated and the consensus was that the guiding principles were still good. The second part of his presentation was on the knowledge base and tool box for sustainability of forest and soil productivity. This included the effects of silvicultural practices on soils, soils in relation to water quality and quantity, and soil physical properties and its importance to such concerns as slope stability. Forest Soils and the Council:

The Next Fifty Years was led by Gordon Weetman of UBC. He observed that the United States and Canada had grown apart in their study of forest soils. Canadian studies were primarily on forest site while the United States studies were on individual soil processes. There are opportunities for convergence but differences will still remain. Progress is still needed in understanding mycorrhizal processes and the special ways trees have of taking up water and nutrients. Other research needs include areas of stand dynamics, nutrient availability, and the relationship between tree distribution and site. We can go to natural forests in seeking answers to some of our questions but that will be more difficult in the United States than for Canada due to more disturbed forests. Darlene Zabowski rounded out the morning leading a discussion on a Council T-shirt.

The celebration continued into lunch with a pizza party and various toasts offered with champagne. Past, present and future Council presidents gathered for pictures. Kirsty Venner of UBC discussed the upcoming summer tour in the Okanogan area of BC. Individual reports followed.

The business meeting involved:

Election of officers: Two nominations were received for Vice President/President-Elect (Phil McColley and Tom Terry) and Tom Terry was elected. One nomination was received for secretary so by acclamation Rob Harrison was elected to be the secretary. Thanks to everybody who agreed to have their names placed in nomination.

Summer tour for 2000 will be held in Washington.

John DePuy, Cindy Prescott, Tom Terry, and Ron Heninger have agreed to serve on a subcommittee studying the feasibility of undertaking a third edition of the Council publication, Forest Soils of the Douglas-fir Region. Presently, the goal is to have a recommendation to take for approval to the Council by the next winter meeting.

Ron Heninger gave an update on the forest soils tour associated with the C-2 Working Group of the SAF for the 1999 SAF National Convention in Portland.

John DePuy gave an update on the workshop, Forest Sedimentation, which the Council is co-sponsoring with the Western Forestry and Conservation Association.

Members were reminded of the Oregon Society of Soil Scientists meeting in Salem on February 18 and 19. John DePuy turned the meeting over to incoming president, Darlene Zaobwski. The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 pm.

Bureau of Land Management

John DePuy
Lisa Lewis
Annette Parsons

Oregon State University

Jim Boyle
Kermit Cromack
Duane Lammers
Dave Myrold
Joel Norgren

University of Washington

Pam DeVolder
Robert Edmonds
Barry Laming
Irae Amaral Guerrini (guest from Brazil)
Robert Harrison
Joanne Neugebauer
Amy Sidell
Darlene Zabowski

University of British Columbia

Kirsten Hannam
Kirsty Venner
Gordon Weetman
Lisa Zabek

Western Washington University

Duane Bays

Weyerhaeuser Company

Ron Heninger
Tom Terry

U.S. Forest Service

Terry Craig
John Dodd
Steve Howes
Robert Meurisse (retired)
Phil McColley (retired)
Greg Orton
Kate Piatek
Ken Radek
George Scherer
Jerry Sherrid

Natural Resource Conservation Service

Karl Hipple

Balance as of Dec. 31^st, 1997 $786.19

Balance as of Jan 1^st, 1999 $1,654.47

Dues and registrations $665.00

Expenses:

Secretarial/postage $133.13

Copying $43.75

Travel $322.83

Meeting expenses $300.00

Total Expenses $700.71

Balance as of Mar 31^st, 1999 $1,519.76

T-Shirts

The Northwest Forest Soils Council is now offering T-shirts with an international flair! T-shirts will be ready in late May for mailing, or can be purchased at the summer field trip.

Cost: $16 (US) plus $1.50 shipping (if mail ordered) [Canadians: please write ‘US funds’ on checks.

T-shirts are short sleeve, all-cotton, with a natural fabric color. To order a T-shirt please provide:

Your Name _______________________________

Address _______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

e-mail _______________________________

Circle T-shirt size: S M L XL

Make Check or Money Order Payable To: Western Forestry and Conservation Association

Send To:

Northwest Forest Soils Council
c/o Western Forestry and Conservation Association
4033 SW Canyon Rd.
Portland OR 97221-2760

Speaker: Current Work:

Dick Miller research on mixed stands of alder and Douglas-fir

Bob Meurisse proceedings of symposium on soil organisms

Karl Hipple Washington State soils map, soil surveys of wilderness

Phil McColley working with Wash. St. Soc. of Prof. Soil Scientists

Kate Piatek N-supply of soils

Gordon Weetman S deficiency in pine; lack of response of W. Hemlock to N fertilization

Bob Edmonds mycorrhizae and belowground connections; green tree

retention edges; madrone; long-term records of Olympic rain forest

Tom Terry LTSP - various harvesting intensity treatments

Diane Lewis soil mapping

Jim Boyle LTSP - organic matter manipulations

Irae Guerrini ash application; residuals applications

Rob Harrison LTSP; Brazilian plantations, Stand Management Cooperative

Amy Siddell model for managers

Barry Flaming Stand Management Cooperative, fertilization

Paul Kramer land application of biosolids

Maryann Baird wetland delineation

Dave Myrold N-cycling using N-15; heterogeneity of N fixation

Ron Heninger LTSP, soil operability risk rating; compaction and skid trails

Annette Parsons post-wildfire watershed assessment; vegetation maps and fuels management

Darlene Zabowski soil carbon, mineralogy of mine tailings

Kermit Cromack vegetation competition, fire effects on cycling

Lisa Lewis road decomissioning, riparian restoration

Kirsten Hannan different forms on N in forest floor

Lisa Zabek hybrid poplar nutrition

Kirsty Venner residual applications, road rehabilitation

Ken Radek fire effects on soil

Duane Mays red alder effects on soil

Terry Craig vegetation planning to mitigate soil impacts

Jerry Sherrid recreational impacts

Pam Devolder biosolids applications

Joanne Neugebauer-Rex nutrient cycling in poplar

I, ______________________________ have enclosed $ ___________ for __________ years

membership in the NORTHWEST FOREST SOILS COUNCIL.

Please mail all newletters, minutes and announcements to:

Name: _____________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

Phone: _______________________________ Fax ___________________________

e-mail _______________________________

Make checks payable to the Western Forestry and Conservation Association

Canadian members, please write ‘in U.S. Funds’ on checks.

Return to: Nortwest Forest Soils Council

c/o Western Forestry and Conservation Association
4033 SW Canyon Rd.
Portland OR 97221-2760

Phone: (503) 226-4562 Fax: (503) 226-2515
e-mail: richard@westernforestry.org

North West Forest Soils Council 50th Anniversary Summer Tour

REHABILITATION of FORESTS in the OKANAGAN:

SITES, POLICY AND PRODUCTIVITY

July 7 - 9 1999

Place: Kelowna and environs in the Okanagan Valley (southern interior B.C.).

Theme: Rehabilitation of disturbed or disused sites with organic amendments (including wood residues and wastewater), and forest policy and productivity in the Okanagan Valley. The schedule is continually being revised as we hear of exciting new sites to visit. Currently, trials investigating the following practices are on the agenda; waste water irrigation, bioengineering, forest landing and road rehabilitation (with and without organic amendments) and fertilisation. Changes in biogeoclimatic zone will be described and discussed during the trip, and of course, a variety of soil pits will be viewed and admired. The possibility of using the tour for academic credit in the U.S. is being negotiated. Please contact John DePuy (jdepuy@or.blm.gov) for more details.

Wednesday July 7

Pre-conference tour 10 am - 4 pm

If enough people express interest, a pre-conference tour will be organised. Sites visited will include a ‘burning trial’ and ‘operational rehabilitation’ in action. More details will be available soon.

6:30 -9 pm Registration (Okanagan University College (OUC), Kelowna)

Registration will be accompanied by a presentation to introduce the biogeoclimatic system and the local natural history of the area.

Thursday July 8

Day 1 Summer Tour

5 pm Gray Monk Winery tour (near Kelowna, may involve small fee)

6:30 pm NWFSC Summer Meeting and 50th Anniversary Party/BBQ

Friday July 9

Day 2 Summer Tour

3 pm Wrap up and closing session. The tour will close near Okanagan Falls, south of Kelowna.

The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce has an excellent Web site (www.kelownachamber.org) offering accommodation, tourist and activity information. If you cannot access this site, we’ll do our best to answer your questions.

Registration and Costs

Accommodation

The following accommodation is available at the OUC. Rates are in CDN and per night including taxes: Four single rooms within a four room suite $ 100 (or $ 29 per room)

Single room with shared washing facilities $ 25

Bedroom suite with either two single beds or one queen size $ 50

Single suite $ 40

At present, there are a series of 40 rooms reserved for participants. To book a room, please contact LAURIE ENGLAND at the OUC directly (telephone 250 470 6055) and remember to say that you are part of the NWFSC summer tour. Make your reservations by June 1^st.

Transport

To minimise the cost of the tour, group transport has not been arranged. We will do our best to accommodate those people without vehicles, so if you can offer a lift or two, please let us know on the registration form. Please be warned that access to many of the field sites will be on logging roads. These should be passable during the summer, but 4WD is advised.

Food etc.

The OUC and organisers will provide bag lunches, snacks, drinks and a BBQ at a cost of $ 50 (Cdn) per person (full rate). This price includes the use of seminar and meeting rooms. A reduced rate will be available for students (to be determined by the NWFS Council). Please indicate whether you would prefer vegetation alternatives.

Family members are encouraged to attend the tour, and details of alternative activities in the Okanagan Valley are available at the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Web site, given above. Additional BBQ tickets for guests may be purchased at $ 12 (CDN) per person.

If you have any questions please contact Lisa Zabek (zabek@interchange.ubc.ca), Kirsten Hannam (kirstenhannam@hotmail.com) or Kirsty Venner (kvenner@interchange.ubc.ca).

NWFSC Summer Tour 1999 Registration form

Name ................................................................. Organisation .....................................................................

Address ..................................................................Advisor (if student)............................................................

Address...................................................................................................................................................................

Phone ................................................................. Email ..................................................................................

Would you be interested in attending the pre-conference tour ? .................................................................

Registration costs

Number of participants at: full rate ($ 50 Cdn) [$33 US] $ ..............….

student rate ($25 Cdn) [$16 US] $ ................…

Number of additional BBQ tickets ($ 12 Cdn) [$8 US]. $ ...................

Total Cost (including registration and additional BBQ tickets) $ ...................

Please detail any dietary requirements .......................................................................................

Will you require transport? ........................ .................................................................................

Can you offer transport, if so, how many people could you accommodate? .......................

Please return this form to Kirsty Venner at the Department of Forest Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, B.C. V6N 2X6. Alternatively, email the information to Kirsty (kvenner@interchange.ubc.ca). We look forward to seeing you!

PLEASE REPLY BY JUNE 7 and RESERVE YOUR ROOMS AT OUC BY JUNE 1.