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DNR News
SC Dept. of Natural Resources
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** Archived Article - please check for current information. **

#05-222 October 17, 2005

South Carolina Tree Farm Committee Sponsors Field Tour, Awards Ceremony

The S.C. Tree Farm Committee sponsored a Field Day recently to highlight beneficial forestry and wildlife management practices as well as the partnership of the Indian Creek Wildlife Habitat Restoration Initiative in Newberry County.

The Indian Creek Wildlife Habitat Restoration Initiative Field Day was held on the U.S. Forest Service Enoree Ranger District, south of Whitmire, on Oct. 6. About 65 landowners and natural resource professionals were on hand to hear about this unique project. The Newberry Chapter of Quail Unlimited sponsored a light breakfast, and lunch was catered by MidWay Bar-B-Q.

John Spearman, chairman of the S.C. Tree Farm Committee, welcomed the participants and offered information on the advantages of being involved in the Tree Farm Program. Richard Rosemier, district ranger for the Forest Service's Enoree Ranger District, spoke on the "Forest Service's Management Plan and the Value of Partnerships."

Even though the field trip was rained out, the five speakers, representing federal and state agencies and a conservation organization, were able to present individual material and provide information to the participants.

The five speakers and topics included:

• Craig O'Dell, district conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service, spoke on Farm Bill programs such as Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program that provide cost-share and incentive payments to landowners willing to implement management practices to benefit wildlife as well as soil and water protection and quality.
   
• Kyle Smith, district fire management officer, U.S. Forest Service, provided information on growing season prescribed burns and the value these burns provide for wildlife and timber.
   
• Mark Hatfield, wildlife biologist, National Wild Turkey Federation, spoke on wild turkey biology and management and the requirements for suitable habitat for wild turkey.
   
• Billy Dukes, Small Game Project supervisor, S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR), provided information on the biology of bobwhite quail and management practices to enhance habitat for quail and other wildlife in a woodland setting.


• Jay Swafford, hydrology technician, U.S. Forest Service, talked about the watershed restoration project being conducted on the Enoree Ranger District and how the restored area now provides hunting and other recreational activities such as hiking, camping and fishing. Prior to restoration, the area had many large gullies with increased soil erosion.

The Wildlife Habitat Restoration Initiative is targeting improvements to forest health and wildlife habitat in the Indian Creek area of Newberry County and encompasses about 16,600 acres in National Forest lands and adjacent private lands. The Wildlife Habitat Restoration Initiative is a cooperative partnership comprised of private landowners, U.S. Forest Service, DNR, S.C. Forestry Commission, federal Natural Resources Conservation Service, Clemson Cooperative Extension Service, Quail Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation, and the East Piedmont Resource Conservation and Development Council.

The S.C. Tree Farm Committee is comprised of forestry consultants, representatives of S.C. Forestry Association, S.C. Forestry Commission, U.S. Forest Service, DNR, Clemson Cooperative Extension Service and former and current Tree Farmers of the Year. The Tree Farm Committee provides technical assistance on forest management to non-industrial forest landowners. Contact John Spearman, PO Box 37, Lane, SC 29564 or e-mail Jes@wpmedia.com for more information.

For more information on the Indian Creek Wildlife Habitat Restoration Initiative, contact the Newberry Soil and Water Conservation District located at 719 Kendall Road, Newberry, SC 29108 or call (803) 276-1978, extension 3.