MODEL FOREST IN ARCATA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEWednesday, June 18, 2008
MODEL FOREST IN ARCATA
Arcata, Calif. —The Forest Guild, a national organization of professional foresters headquartered in Santa Fe, New Mexico, announced today that the City of Arcata’s combined Arcata Community and Jacoby Creek Forests have been named as a “Model Forest,” the Guild’s top designation for excellent forestry in the United States.
“The Guild welcomes the City of Arcata into our Model Forest Program,” says Howard Gross, executive director of the Forest Guild. “The Arcata Community Forest is a unique example of how a municipality that initially acquired forestland for forest and watershed protection has developed public support for an excellent and successful, multiple-use, forest management plan.”
“We are honored that our forests are the newest addition to the Forest Guild Model Forest Program,” says Mayor Mark Wheetly.
In recognition of the Forest Guild’s declaration, the City of Arcata will host a community celebration Wednesday, June 25. Arcata’s new status puts them in the company of a select group of 20 of the best sustainably managed forests across the United States. They join the Pioneer Forest in Missouri, Tree Shepherd Woods in Washington State, and Baxter State Park’s Scientific Forest Management Area in Maine among other Forest Guild Model Forests across the United States.
Mark Andre, forest manager and director of Arcata’s Environmental Services Department. explains that, “Arcata’s Community-based forest management approach has provided multi-resource benefits for decades including wildlife habitat, sustainable timber harvesting, recreation, and education. The Forest Guild is a highly regarded organization so this recognition is something that the City, staff, and Arcata citizens can be proud of.”
Jacoby Creek Forest is best known for the extensive riparian woodlands along Jacoby Creek. Together, Arcata's Community and Jacoby Creek Forests total nearly 2,100 acres of mainly coastal redwood forests.
“The City of Arcata Community and Jacoby Creek forests exemplify the guiding principles of the Forest Guild, says Forest Guild Pacific West region director Kenneth Baldwin. “We congratulate Arcata and its citizens for being recognized as a model forest and for providing an example of community forestry for other regions to emulate.”
WHAT: Arcata Forest Guild “Model Forest” Celebration
All residents of Arcata and nearby communities as well as foresters and natural resource professionals are invited to take a guided tour and interpretive walk in the Arcata Community Forest. People will meet at the Redwood Lodge at 2 p.m. and drive with the group to the forest site. Carpooling is encouraged. Snacks will be provided. Everyone is also encouraged to bring rain gear and water and wear appropriate hiking shoes.
WHEN: Wednesday June 25, 2008, 2-4 p.m.
INFO: 707-822-8184 for directions to the Redwood Lodge.
The Forest Guild Model Forest Program recognizes places, people, and relationships that foster sustainable forest management and demonstrate successful silviculture. The Forest Guild is a national organization of more than 600 foresters, allied professionals, and supporters who manage forestlands in the United States and Canada and advocate for ecologically sound forest practices. The mission of the Forest Guild is to practice and promote ecologically, economically, and socially responsible forestry—“excellent forestry”— as a means of sustaining the integrity of forest ecosystems and the human communities dependent upon them. The Forest Guild maintains staff in New Mexico, Massachusetts, California, and Tennessee, and has volunteer coordinators in five other states.
The City of Arcata Environmental Services Department is comprised of three divisions: water/wastewater, natural resources, and recreation. It is responsible for maintaining the integrity of all city-owned forestlands including watersheds, wildlife, timber, fisheries, and plant resources as well as the overall health of the forest ecosystems. The Community and Jacoby Creek forests are Smartwood© certified and are managed to produce marketable forest products on a sustained basis, balancing timber harvest and timber growth.
INTERVIEWS AND IMAGES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
Contact:
Jennifer Marshall
505-231-1776
jennifer@jmarshallplan.com
www.jmarshallplan.com
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